Wayzata board approves preliminary 2025 payable 2026 levy at state maximum; sets preliminary amount at $100.9 million

Wayzata Public Schools finance officials presented a preliminary levy certification for payable 2026 and the Wayzata Public Schools Board of Education voted 6–0 (one member absent) to approve the levy limitation and certification at the maximum amount permitted by state law.

Trevor Peterson, executive director of finance and operations for Wayzata Public Schools, told the board the preliminary levy for payable 2026 is $100,885,586.29, an overall increase of 4.74% from the payable 2025 total. Peterson said that the levy covers three funds the district levies: the general fund (about $78.6 million), the community service fund (an increase tied to school‑age care and other programs), and the debt service fund (whose increase reflects recent bond sales for a West Middle School construction project). He described the board's options: approve the preliminary levy at the statutory maximum or approve a specific dollar amount; he recommended approving the maximum to preserve flexibility before the district adopts a final levy in December.

Peterson outlined why numbers change between preliminary and…