Budget and Finance

At Minnetonka Schools, we pride ourselves on responsible and prudent fiscal stewardship to best serve the community. Top-ranked among Minnesota school districts, academically, Minnetonka Public Schools also excels in fiscal management and oversight. The district has received the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting each year since 1995 and holds a Aaa Moody’s Bond Rating (the highest possible rating).

In 2023-24—the most recent audited data available— more than 86% of our annual operating budget was directed to instructional programming.

Dollars at work in Minnetonka Schools—2023-2024*

General Fund Spending Per Student	ISD 276	MN State Average
Regular Instruction	$7,772	$ 6,181
Special Education Instruction	$ 2,131	$ 2,919
Operations & Maintenance	$ 826	$ 1,189
Pupil Transportation	$ 506	$ 1,003
Instructional Support Services	$ 621	$ 829
District Level Administration	$ 638	$ 790
School Level Administration	$ 538	$ 578
Student Support Services	$ 491	$ 559
Student Activities and Athletics	$382	$ 422
Career and Technical Instruction	$115	$ 207
Total Operating Expenses	$14,020	$14,677

* Minnesota Department of Education Profiles

Audit Reports

2024-2025 District Budget

District Funding

One of the Minnetonka School Board’s critical roles is to be a conscientious steward of taxpayer funds.

In Minnetonka, state funding makes up 71.2% of the annual operating budget, federal funds account for 1.8% and 27% is local funding. Of the 27%, approximately two-thirds of it is voter-approved referendum funding. The other local levies are based on formulas set in statute and approved by the Board.

The Minnetonka School Board has worked diligently over the years to keep property tax levies as low as possible. The Board has supported the District in pursuing the refinancing and restructuring of capital bonds to lower interest rates and in spreading the cost of capital over the life of the assets to the benefit of taxpayers. This has resulted in significantly lower annual bond payments, which, in turn, has translated into lower property tax levies than would have otherwise been possible.

General Fund Sources & Uses

Efficiency Excellence in Per-Pupil Spending

Minnetonka Schools provides exceptional programs for students and hires top teachers in the metro area while keeping its costs low . Through careful planning and efficiency, the district spent less than the Minnesota state average in 2022-23* and the cumulative average of its neighboring districts.

*MDE Profiles. Information reflects the most recent comparable data available (General Fund Operating Expenditures.

2022-2023*	Cost per Pupil
Minneapolis	$ 20,478
St. Paul	$ 20,192
St. Louis Park	$ 16,568
Hopkins	$ 16,495
Osseo	$ 15,666
Eden Prairie	$ 14,772
Edina	$ 14,730
Wayzata	$ 14,290
State Average	$ 14,677
Minnetonka	$14,020

Funding Education in Minnesota

2024-25 Financial Update

Like many school districts across Minnesota, the Minnetonka Public School District is grappling with budget constraints that necessitate reductions. Despite remarkable achievements by students and staff and strong community support, for the first time since 2007 Minnetonka Public Schools is forced to make substantial budget reductions to maintain financial stability over the coming years.

For updates, visit 2024-25 Financial Update .

Legislative Action - CASE

Minnetonka's Community Action for Student Education (CASE) Committee advocates at the Minnesota Legislature for full school funding. The goal of CASE is to encourage legislators to reinvest in public education at the state level and to understand how possible changes in current law can positively impact school funding and support students.

To get involved and stay informed, visit the CASE webpage.