Minnetonka Schools Announces Building Bond Referendum for November 2025 Election

The Minnetonka School Board has unanimously voted to put forth a referendum in November asking voters to consider an $85M Building Bond. It has been 29 years since the school district last presented residents with a building bond referendum to support construction projects in its schools.

The bond payments would be structured in a way that allows for no net tax increase for taxpayers. “As the District’s current bonds are restructured, and new bonds are added, other existing bonds will be paid off. That means residents would not experience an increase in their property tax obligation because of passage of this building bond referendum,” said David Law, Superintendent of Minnetonka Public Schools. 

What’s Included?

Approval of this referendum would allow crucial funding for the District to restructure existing bonds and to add new bonds, to accomplish the following:

• Safety enhancements in all of the District’s schools and buildings
• Modern science classrooms in the District’s two middle schools
• Flexible, multi-use gym and performance space for students and the community in the two middle schools
• The addition of a gymnasium at Deephaven Elementary to make its gym space consistent with the other elementary schools
• Small-group instructional spaces in most of the District’s schools
• A redesigned counseling center and an updated cafeteria at Minnetonka High School

Community-Led Task Force Identified Greatest Needs

The projects included in this building bond were identified by a community-led task force through a 10-month process. The Task Force was composed of District residents, business owners, parents, school administrators, teachers and staff. From mid-April 2024 through mid-October 2024, the Task Force toured and reviewed each school and district building. Its work included reviewing the history and status of each facility, analyzing survey data from key stakeholders, and discussing suggestions of changes or additions that would allow the facilities to better support students' educational needs now and in the future.

From there, the Task Force developed a set of recommendations that was presented to the School Board for its review in December 2024. The recommendations guided the Board in determining whether future actions were needed to ensure that District facilities would support the instructional programs for students for years to come. Those recommendations were used to shape this building bond referendum. Learn more about the Facilities Task Force and its work.  

Fiscal Stewardship

By approving the building bond referendum, taxpayers would continue to pay the same tax rate as in years past for general obligation bonds.

Patrick Lee-O’Halloran, Minnetonka School Board Chair, said, “We are asking our voters to consider something that will provide needed upgrades and improvements to the District’s aging facilities, without a net increase to their property taxes. If approved, this continued investment by our community will have a lasting impact to keep our schools strong and viable for students now and for generations to come.”

Minnetonka Schools’ leaders believe providing exceptional educational experiences while engaging in responsible and prudent fiscal stewardship is the best way to serve the community. Innovative financial management on the part of the Minnetonka School Board and District Administration has saved taxpayers money and ensured that more than 86% of the District’s annual general operating fund budget (as noted in the 2023-2024 Annual Report ) is directed to school-level education services to maximize support for students and instruction.

“Ensuring long-term financial stability has been and remains a District goal, set forth by our School Board,” said Superintendent Law. “The revenue from the building bond would contribute to the success and safety of all students. The facilities built would help to support and strengthen key programs, provide a better learning environment for students, teachers and staff, and would bolster the supports we provide to students throughout the District.”

Minnetonka Public Schools believes responsible and prudent fiscal stewardship is the best way to serve the community. Aggressive financial management on the part of the Board and Administration has saved taxpayers money and ensured that more than 86% of the District's annual operating budget is directed to school-level education services to maximize support for students and instruction.

Here is how the ballot question will appear:

What Does This Wording Mean?

The wording noted above is required by Minnesota Statutes. Through careful planning and innovative financial management, the Building Bond would be structured in a way that would result in no net tax increase for taxpayers.

Building Bond Referendum Fast Facts

How were these improvements chosen?The projects included in this Building Bond Referendum were identified through a comprehensive process led by a community-based Facilities Study Task Force made up of District residents, business owners, parents, school administrators, teachers and staff. From April to October 2024, the Task Force toured and evaluated every school and district building, reviewed historical and current facility data, analyzed survey results from key stakeholders and discussed potential improvements to better support students’ educational needs. 

Based on this comprehensive review, the Task Force developed a set of recommendations to guide the School Board in determining necessary future investments. These recommendations directly shaped the Building Bond proposal.

Learn more about the Facility Task Force and its work.  

Why is there a bond on the ballot?It has been 29 years since the District last presented residents with a building bond referendum to support school construction projects. As identified by the Facilities Study Task Force, many areas across the District are in urgent need of updates to ensure buildings can continue to meet the needs of students and staff. After carefully reviewing all recommendations, the District prioritized the most timely and impactful projects. To fund these updates, the District is proposing an $85 million Building Bond.

How much would a building bond cost?There would be no increase or change in the property tax rate if the Building Bond is approved. Through careful planning and innovative financial management, the Building Bond would be structured in a way that would result in no net tax increase for taxpayers.

The Building Bond would provide necessary funding to support critically needed updates to schools across the District. 

Through careful planning and innovative financial management, the Building Bond would be structured in a way that would result in no net tax increase for taxpayers.