Minnetonka board previews district annual report, chooses cover image and requests final edits

The Minnetonka School Board on Wednesday previewed a near-final draft of the district's annual report, reviewed content that highlights student achievements and signature programs, and selected a cover photo to be finalized before the October approval vote. The communications team distributed what it described as a complete draft and asked board members for corrections and preferences ahead of printing. "We sent you a draft in the board report last Friday that was incomplete, so you have a complete draft that's in front of you today," said Dr. Jackie Geddy, executive director of communications. She added the draft still will go through "several rounds of copy editing." The report compiles student academic results, points of pride, signature programs such as Immersion (serving more than 4,000 students across two languages), Minnetonka Research (82 students last year), Momentum (design and skilled trades), Vantage (advanced professional studies), SAIL (transition education for ages 18–22), and Tonka Online. The presentation highlights included the class of 2025's commencement at U.S. Bank Stadium, 28 National Merit semifinalists, 34 IB diploma graduates, an 89.9% AP score of 3 or higher among exam takers in 2025, and a 99% graduation rate for the class of 2025. Mary Cornelia, communications specialist and primary author of large sections of the report, walked the board through student spotlights and program features; Dr. Amy Ledoux's quote about experiential learning appears in the report. During the presentation staff noted the facility study task force's work and that an $85 million building bond referendum — distilled from an initial $193 million wish list and subsequent $120 million proposal — will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot; staff also said an informational campaign is available via a link in the report. Board members raised minor copy and formatting questions and were invited to submit edits. After a brief in-room vote by raised hands, the board selected a preferred cover photograph from three options provided by staff. Superintendent Law confirmed staff will return with a final version for formal approval at the Oct. 9 board meeting and that printed copies will be distributed to district residents, families and staff. "If there's anything that you see where you're like, . . . we need to add something, I want to hear it," Geddy said. The communications office said all photographs in the report are of Minnetonka students and that multiple rounds of editing remain before publication.