Minnetonka Schools Updates Bond Projects, Addresses Funding Gaps
Minnetonka Public Schools presented progress on a $55 million building bond referendum at a February 24 meeting, detailing construction timelines and traffic improvements for two middle schools while highlighting persistent state funding shortfalls that limit the district's ability to meet rising operational costs.
Superintendent David Law reported that the district combined a $5 million planning bond with a $50 million building bond to capitalize on favorable interest rates and generate additional savings. The combined approach allows the district to move forward with gym and theater expansions at Middle School East and Middle School West, with construction expected to wrap up by fall 2027.
A significant new requirement emerged during planning: updated building codes now mandate that any new construction include storm shelter space capable of housing everyone in that area. Both middle school gyms will need to meet this requirement, adding cost but staying within the approved bond budget.
To address long-standing traffic congestion during school arrival and dismissal, the district conducted a traffic study with the City of Minnetonka. Plans include a new bus corral at one middle school that will accommodate all buses and provide approximately 100 additional parking spaces when buses aren't present. A two-lane system is also proposed for Lake Street Extension to reduce overflow parking in nearby neighborhoods.
Beyond construction, Law emphasized a critical funding challenge: state funding increases of 2.5 percent annually don't match rising operational costs. The district faces an 11 percent increase in insurance costs alone. Law advocated for the state to lift a cap on local levy authority imposed in 2017, which has restricted the district's ability to ask voters for additional general fund support.
The superintendent also raised concerns about immigration enforcement activities near school campuses and bus stops, which he said cause disruption and alarm for students and families. Law stated the district would advocate for reinstatement of "school safety zones" that protect schools from enforcement activities and outlined protocols to minimize disruption when agencies request access to school property. Additionally, the district is hosting a national wellness event in May where school districts across the country will learn about Minnetonka's student mental health initiatives.
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Notable Quotes (10)
One of the first things that happened was as we told the public we're going to do a $5 million bond for planning and a $50 million bond for building and we combined them both because the timing worked out with interest rates to generate more opportunity and more savings for the district.
There's a new code that any additional space you add outside your footprint has to have enough storm proof area to house anyone who's going to be in that space. So both of those spaces have to have a storm shelter capable of holding anyone who's in that gym space, which is a big change and an expense, but that was covered in that.
We did a traffic study. We're working with the city of Minnotonka and our neighbors who understandably don't want people parking in their yards and in their front uh at arrival and dismissal and trying to figure out how do we get as many cars as possible off the road.
When that goes in, we'll be able to get all of our buses over there. And when the buses aren't there, we're going to have room for, you know, hundred more cars parking at that school.
We get to talk about Minnotonka on the national level. And I the exciting part for me is there's some amazing things here that are really aligned to where public education is going. And it it's really affirming for me. plus bringing resource to our students from across the country.
We're hosting a wellness event in May where school districts from across the country are going to come and learn about what we're doing for student mental health and we're all going to brainstorm about staff mental health and that you know that we're doing that just with our own time.
We have been capped and we've been advocating for the ability to ask our community if they want to support us more financially for our general fund funds. There's that language for what the board can levy and what the community can vote for has been capped since 2017.
That two and a half percent they're giving us year-over-year doesn't match the rise in cost of labor and and purchasing and utilities and things like our insurance was just approved at 11% increase. That 2 and a half% doesn't cover that.
I I would um be a strong advocate to reinstate the school safety zones and not having our students have to worry about being near an enforcement activity.
Our first question is does this have to happen right now because it has the potential to be very disruptive to our school building to all the students.
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Referendum passed by voters last fall to fund school building projects.
Previously existing policy designating schools as safe havens from immigration enforcement, now advocated for reinstatement.
An AASA initiative guiding public education principles and practices.
An AASA initiative aligned with district goals.
An AASA initiative aligned with district goals.
An AASA initiative aligned with district goals.
An AASA initiative aligned with district goals.
A community-supported levy for technology funding.
A committee comprising students, parents, administrators, and school board members involved in legislative advocacy.
Organization partnered with for suicide prevention initiatives.
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Other Topics from This Document
Traffic and Parking Improvements at Middle Schools
Superintendent's National Role and District Benefits
Legislative Priorities and Funding Advocacy
Impact of Immigration Enforcement on Schools
Upcoming Community Events and Staff Recognition
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