Minnetonka Schools approves $14.3M bond for facility upgrades
The Minnetonka School Board unanimously approved the sale of $14.285 million in general obligation bonds on May 30, authorizing funds for long-term facility maintenance projects. The decision also enables the district to start the 2026-27 school year before Labor Day, a change that requires state approval.
The board voted unanimously to authorize the bond sale, which will fund necessary maintenance projects for fiscal year 2027. According to Superintendent Law and Paul Bourgeois, Executive Director of Finance and Operations, the funds are essential for supporting district infrastructure. The authorization is contingent on final approval from the Minnesota Department of Education for the district's 10-year facility plan.
The early school start hinges on this bond approval. Minnesota law requires schools to have at least $400,000 in scheduled construction to begin before Labor Day. Minnetonka's regularly scheduled summer maintenance meets this threshold, qualifying the district for a state waiver. "Beginning before Labor Day will allow us to have a more traditional last day of school," said Angie Flowers, Executive Director of HR and General Counsel, noting that ending school in mid-June is unpopular with families and staff. Under the new calendar, school would start September 1, 2026, and end June 9, 2027.
In other business, the board unanimously approved the 2026-27 school year calendar, accepted the Minnetonka High School Class of 2025 graduates, and approved waivers for physical education requirements for qualifying students—a routine annual approval since 2007. The board also unanimously approved the 2025-26 school board goals, which focus on student well-being, student learning, and organizational support.
Additionally, the board called for a school board election on November 4, 2025, with three positions up for election. The filing period for candidates runs from July 29 to August 12, 2025. Interested candidates can file at the Minnetonka District Service Center, located at 5621 County Road 101 in Minnetonka. The board also approved non-renewals of contracts for probationary teachers and administrators, in accordance with Minnesota law.
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Votes (8)
Approval of 2026-27 School Year Calendar
Moved by Chris Fatali [20:41] · Seconded by Mike [20:42]
The calendar committee's recommendation was discussed, highlighting the decision to start school before Labor Day in 2026 (September 1st) to allow for a more traditional last day of school (June 9th, 2027) and an earlier winter break. This early start requires a waiver, which the district qualifies for due to over $400,000 in scheduled summer maintenance construction.
Approval of Waivers of Physical Education Requirements
Moved by Megan [21:28] · Seconded by Sally [21:29]
Superintendent Law presented the recommendation to approve waivers for physical education requirements for students who have met specific criteria, as certified by Minnetonka High School Principal Jeff Ericson. This is a recurring annual approval by the board since 2007.
Acceptance of MHS Class of 2025 Graduates
Moved by Chris Fatali [21:40] · Seconded by Mike [21:41]
Superintendent Law presented the list of Minnetonka High School students who have met all state requirements for graduation in 2025. The board's approval tonight formally accepts these students as graduates, ahead of the official ceremony.
Approval of 2025-26 School Board Goals
Moved by Chris Fatali [22:52] · Seconded by Megan [22:53]
Dr. Jackie Getty summarized the finalized 2025-26 school board goals, which underwent an iterative development process since November with multiple study sessions. The goals are structured around excellence in well-being, student learning, and organizational support, each with detailed action items designed to guide district operations and improvements.
Approval of Non-Renewals
Moved by Sally [23:36] · Seconded by Dan [23:37]
Superintendent Law presented resolutions for the non-renewal of contracts for probationary teachers and administrators. The action is in accordance with Minnesota law, which allows school boards to decline renewal for probationary staff before July 1st, for various reasons.
Approval of Resolution Calling November 4th School Board Election
Moved by Dan [24:19] · Seconded by Mike [24:20]
Mr. Paul Bourgeois, Executive Director of Finance and Operations, presented a resolution to formally call for a school board election on November 4, 2025. The resolution outlines the filing period for candidates (July 29 - August 12, 2025) and confirms that three board positions will be up for election, as reviewed by bond counsel.
Authorization to Sell General Obligation Bonds
Moved by Mike [25:52] · Seconded by Dan [25:53]
Superintendent Law and Mr. Paul Bourgeois presented a resolution seeking authorization to sell $14.285 million in general obligation bonds. These funds are designated for necessary long-term facility maintenance projects for fiscal year 2027, which are essential for supporting district infrastructure and also enable the district to qualify for an early school start waiver from the state. The authorization is contingent upon final approval from the Minnesota Department of Education for the 10-year facility plan.
Consent Agenda Adoption
Moved by Dan [26:15] · Seconded by Chris [26:15]
The board moved to adopt the consent agenda, which typically includes routine administrative items that do not require individual discussion or debate.
Notable Quotes (10)
Beginning before Labor Day will allow us to have a more traditional last day of school. So, it's not going so far um into the middle of June. That is not very popular with people.
In order to begin before Labor Day, a school must have at least 400,000 in construction that year and our ongoing regularly scheduled summer maintenance hits that number. So we do believe that we qualify and we will be seeking that waiver so that we can start before Labor Day.
Since 2007, the school board has been approving physical education wafers provided students meet certain requirements.
They have met the requirements required for graduation of the state of Minnesota and you will have the chance to confer those diplomas in a week.
The three board goals, uh, excellence in well-being, connection, and belonging, excellence in student learning and support, and excellence in leadership and organizational support.
We've had a long iterative process for these goals that uh Dr. Getty just well described and I think we've had a lot of opportunities for our own thoughtful consideration of these goals uh in public. Hopefully that interested members have paid attention. I know they have because they've given us some feedback and some and we've incorporated that as much as we can.
Minnesota law provides that during the probationary period, any annual contract with any teacher may or may not be renewed, provided, however, that the school board shall give any such teacher whose contract it declines to renew for the following school year written notice to that effect before July 1st.
So this uh resolution for the school board election uh basically lays out the filing period of July 29th through August 12, 2025. and it sets um and the deadline for that is August 14th, 2025.
Miss Flowers shared that we can have an early start to school if we do more than $400,000 of construction over the given summer, and we have to apply for a waiver from the state. In order to do that construction next summer, we need to sell bonds to the community. You'll notice that tonight's total is $14.2 million.
Uh we are asking for authority to bond and of course uh we are still waiting for uh final Minnesota Department of Education to review our 10-year plan in their format uh as required and they'll give us an approval letter.
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
Program highlighting student and staff achievements.
Official schedule for the school year, including start/end dates and breaks.
Approval for students to be exempt from physical education requirements.
List of students certified for graduation.
Strategic objectives for the district's operations and performance.
Official decisions not to renew contracts for probationary staff.
Official call for the upcoming school board election, detailing filing periods and terms.
Official approval to sell bonds for long-term facility maintenance projects.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Elementary School Performance Update
International Teacher Exchange Program
District Staffing Strategy and HR Performance Metrics
School Year Calendar Planning
Community Event Planning and Fundraising Initiatives
School Board Goal Setting
District Financial Stability and Capital Projects
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