Minnetonka Schools approves $85 million bond for facility upgrades
The Minnetonka Public Schools board unanimously approved the sale of $5 million in bonds on November 14, the first installment of an $85 million borrowing plan that voters endorsed with 69% support in a November 4 referendum. The funds will launch design and construction projects across the district's schools.
Voters gave the district a strong mandate last month to move forward with long-needed facility improvements. The special election results showed 5,445 residents voting in favor of the bond measure and 2,476 opposed, giving the district clear authorization to proceed. On Thursday, the school board formally approved the first $5 million tranche of the 2026A general obligation bonds, which will fund the design and permitting phases of the two largest middle school projects.
The district is taking a strategic, staggered approach to issuing the full $85 million to avoid sudden property tax increases. "This initial funding will be used for the design and permitting phases of the two largest middle school projects, as part of a tiered borrowing strategy," according to meeting documents.
The board also approved six separate construction bids for summer 2026 projects, all passing unanimously. Window replacements at Clear Springs Elementary ($555,000) and Minnewashta Elementary ($631,900) came in significantly under budget estimates. Roofing work at Deep Haven Elementary ($561,000), Minnewashta Elementary ($585,645), Minnetonka Middle School East ($472,500), and Minnetonka Middle School West ($773,297) also received board approval. Most bids came in under their budgeted amounts, demonstrating conservative planning.
In other business, the board certified the results of the school board election, confirming that Celinger, Colberg, and Jordan won the three open seats and will begin four-year terms on January 5, 2026. The board also approved the district's inclement weather procedures, which include a snow day followed by asynchronous learning for secondary students from day two and elementary students from day three. Superintendent Law noted that weather forecasts are more reliable for temperature predictions than snowfall timing, which influences when closure decisions are made.
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Votes (10)
Approval of Resolution Canvasing School Board General Election Results (November 4, 2025)
Dissent: None
Moved by Dan [1:15:37] · Seconded by Sally [1:15:40]
Paul Bourgeois presented the results of the school board general election, confirming Celinger, Colberg, and Jordan as the top vote-getters for the three vacant seats. The board was asked to formally approve the resolution certifying these results for four-year terms commencing January 5, 2026.
Approval of Resolution Canvasing Special Election Results for Building Bond Referendum (November 4, 2025)
Dissent: None
Moved by Megan [1:17:41] · Seconded by Chris [1:17:43]
Paul Bourgeois reported the results of the special election, indicating strong public support with approximately 69% approval for the building bond referendum. Approval of the resolution allows the district to proceed with issuing bonds for planned facilities projects.
Approval of Inclement Weather Procedures
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [1:22:38] · Seconded by Camry [1:22:40]
Superintendent Law detailed the district's protocol for school closures due to severe weather, prioritizing student safety during transport and wait times. The proposed procedures involve an initial snow day, followed by asynchronous instruction for secondary students from day two, and for elementary students from day three, with provisions for IEP students to be covered by their individualized plans.
Acceptance of Bid for Window Replacement at Clear Springs Elementary School
Dissent: None
Moved by Dan [1:39:15] · Seconded by Sally [1:39:17]
Paul Bourgeois presented the low bid from Lindy Construction Services LLC for $555,000 for window replacement in the 1958 and 1960 wings, which came in significantly under the budget estimate of $784,000.
Acceptance of Bid for Window Replacement at Minnewashta Elementary School
Dissent: None
Moved by Camarie [1:40:24] · Seconded by Mike [1:40:27]
Paul Bourgeois presented the low bid from CM Construction Company, Inc. for $631,900 for window replacement in the 1955 and 1993 wings, which was below the budget estimate of $715,000.
Acceptance of Bid for Roofing Replacement at Deep Haven Elementary School
Dissent: None
Moved by Chris [1:41:48] · Seconded by Megan [1:41:50]
Paul Bourgeois presented the low bid from Gag Sheet Metal Incorporated for $561,000 for a portion of the roof replacement, which was under the budget estimate of $735,000 and attracted 14 bidders.
Acceptance of Bid for Roofing Replacement at Minnewashta Elementary School
Dissent: None
Moved by Mike [1:43:08] · Seconded by Dan [1:43:10]
Paul Bourgeois presented the low bid from Balman Roofing and Coding for $585,645 for a portion of the roof replacement, which was substantially under the budget estimate of $882,000.
Acceptance of Bid for Roofing Replacement at Minnetonka Middle School East
Dissent: None
Moved by Camarine [1:44:42] · Seconded by Sally [1:44:45]
Paul Bourgeois presented the low bid from Equity Builders and Construction Services Incorporated for $472,500 for a portion of the roof replacement, significantly below the budget estimate of $882,000. This is part of ongoing long-term facility maintenance.
Acceptance of Bid for Roofing Replacement at Minnetonka Middle School West
Dissent: None
Moved by Mike [1:45:54] · Seconded by Chris [1:45:57]
Paul Bourgeois presented the low bid from Balman Roofing and Coding for $773,297 for a portion of the roof replacement. This bid was significantly higher than the stated budget estimate of $99,000, but was accepted as the low bid among seven competitors.
Authorization to Sell 2026A General Obligation School Building Bonds
Dissent: None
Moved by Megan [1:49:12] · Seconded by Camry [1:49:15]
Paul Bourgeois requested authorization to sell the first $5 million tranche of the $85 million bond. This initial issuance is crucial for funding the design and permitting of the two largest middle school projects and is part of a strategic, staggered approach to avoid property tax increases.
Notable Quotes (6)
candidates Celinger, Colberg, and Jordan having the highest number of votes uh are elected to four-year terms be beginning Monday, January 5th, 2026. The first Monday in January, which under Minnesota statute 123b.59 is the commencement of new terms.
there were 5,445 votes in favor and 2476 voting against approximately a 69% to 31% approval rate. Uh the um so that being said, upon uh passing of the resolution, the school board or the uh the the district will be able to issue bonds for the proposed projects and uh move ahead with the pro the proposed pro proposed projects over the next several years.
It is our goal to make those decisions as early as possible, preferably the night before. With cold weather, the National Weather Service says they're about 95% or more accurate at the exact hours of the day and the temperature. With snowfall, they can be inaccurate with an hour of the time of the event, which makes it much more difficult.
What you're approving tonight is that we have agreed with our employee groups to have a snow day on the first day, begin asynchronous instruction on the second day for secondary students and elementary students on day three.
I just want to reiterate, I feel like we say this every time, but thank you for budgeting conservatively and giving us so room for so much room for these. As I tally it, we we came in under our budget estimates by about 1.3 million or so, which gives us some room to work and bond for additional projects. So, appreciate it.
Again, this is our first trunch of four that we communicated to the public of our $85 million rather than issuing all the bonds at once and increasing their taxes. Again, we're spreading the tanches out over about two and a half years so that they can the uh additional bond payments come on while others drop off to keep the net prop general obligation property um um building bond property tax levy at net zero.
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Program recognizing high-achieving students
Qualifying test for National Merit Scholarship Program
Recognition by the College Board for high AP exam scores
State recognition for mastery and project application
National report on education technology and community conversations about screen time
Statute governing the commencement of new terms for school board members
Referendum approved by voters for facilities projects
District policy regarding student cell phone use, pre-dating state requirements
AI tool being integrated into Google education workplace for high school students
Resolution authorizing the sale of the first tranche of bonds for approved facilities projects
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
New Middle School Schedule Implementation Feedback
School Board General Election Results Canvassing
Special Election for Building Bond Referendum Results Canvassing
Inclement Weather Procedures Approval
Educational Technology Update and Screen Time Policy
Acceptance of Facilities Bids for Summer 2026
Authorization to Sell School Building Bonds
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