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 2024-25—the most recent audited data available—87% of our annual operating budget was directed to instructional programming.

Dollars at work in Minnetonka Schools—2024-2025*

General Fund Spending Per Student	ISD 276	MN State Average
Regular Instruction	$8,539	$6,664
Special Education Instruction	$2,495	$3,486
Operations & Maintenance	$956	$1,214
Pupil Transportation	$673	$1,167
Instructional Support Services	$792	$903
District Level Administration	$734	$869
School Level Administration	$612	$624
Student Support Services	$603	$629
Student Activities and Athletics	$450	$467
Career and Technical Instruction	$159	$241
Total Operating Expenses	$16,012	$16,265

* Minnesota Department of Education Profiles

Audit Reports

2026-2027 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 72.3% of the annual operating budget, federal funds account for 1.6%, and 26.1% is local funding. Of that 26.1%, approximately two-thirds 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 works hard to keep property tax levies as low as possible. Under the Board’s leadership, the school district has refinanced and restructured capital bonds to lower interest rates and to spread 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

Infographic displaying sources of funds FY25-26 Budget - General Fund

Infographic displaying uses of funds FY25-26 Budget - General Fund

Efficiency Excellence in Per-Pupil Spending

Minnetonka Public Schools provides exceptional and innovative programs for students and hires top teachers in the metro area while keeping its costs low.

Minnetonka Schools received $253 less per pupil than the state average in 2024-2025* and $1,060 below the cumulative average of its neighboring districts.

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

2024–2025*	Cost per Pupil
Minneapolis	$22,228
St. Paul	$21,324
St. Louis Park	$18,505
Hopkins	$18,137
Osseo	$17,470
Eden Prairie	$16,745
Edina	$16,413
Wayzata	$15,164
State Average	$16,265
Minnetonka	$16,012

Funding Education in Minnesota

Resources

Legislative Action - CASE

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.