Frequently Asked Questions

Wayzata Public Schools is projected to exceed available building capacity at every grade level by the 2027–28 school year. Our resident student population has been growing for decades, and this growth is expected to continue as new housing developments are built in our communities.
Many of our schools are already at or near capacity, and several of our buildings need essential improvements. With guidance from a community task force, the district has developed a long-term facilities plan to expand and improve school spaces so all students have safe, modern environments to learn and grow.

On April 14, 2026, residents will be asked to vote on three funding requests:

• Request 1: Renew the existing $6.5 million per year technology levy (no tax increase).
• Request 2: Consider $465 million in bond funding for new and improved learning spaces (estimated $29 per month in taxes*).
• Request 3: Consider $31 million in bond funding for a new 8-lane swimming pool at the high school (estimated $4 per month in taxes*). This request is contingent on the approval of Request 2.

*Estimated tax impacts are based on the district’s $650,000 average home value.

If voters do not approve the funding:

• Schools will become more crowded as student enrollment continues to grow.
• Safety and security upgrades may be delayed or canceled.
• Student programs and support services may be more limited.
• The need for space and essential improvements will increase, and construction costs are likely to continue rising.
• Aging classroom technology will not be replaced on a planned cycle, and technology support will be reduced.
   

Voters may choose from the following options:

Vote Early by Mail

• Apply to have an absentee ballot mailed to you.
• Learn more at mnvotes.org.

Vote Early in Person

• Wayzata Public Schools District Service Center (13305 12th Avenue N, Plymouth, MN 55441)
• February 27 – April 13 (Monday–Friday) from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Saturday, April 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Vote on Election Day

• April 14, 2026
• 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Find your polling location at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.

If voters approve the proposal, the new elementary school and new middle school are anticipated to open for students in Fall 2029. The high school project is expected to occur in phases, with construction scheduled from spring 2028 through the end of 2030.

If voters approve the proposal, improvements at other schools and programs will be completed over the next three years, based on the scope of each project. Detailed timelines will be shared as plans are finalized.

Technology in our schools helps us:

• Keep schools safe through secure building access, cybersecurity protections and reliable emergency communication.
• Support learning every day with dependable devices, software, internet access and technical support.
• Maintain up-to-date tools through a planned replacement cycle for student, classroom and staff technology.
• Prepare students for the future by building digital skills needed for learning, work and life.

Wayzata Public Schools is committed to the balanced use of technology. This means we will:

• Prioritize instructional purpose over screen time.
• Support developmentally appropriate use, especially for younger learners.
• Ensure students experience a healthy balance of digital and non-digital learning.
   

Building a second high school is not being considered. The district is focused on expanding and strengthening Wayzata High School to provide consistent, high-quality opportunities for all students. Research shows that a single, larger high school can offer strong academic outcomes, a wider range of courses, activities, and support services, and greater operational and financial efficiency. Maintaining one high school also ensures equitable access to programs and facilities for every student.

No. The proposal is designed to meet the needs of resident students who live within the Wayzata Public Schools attendance area. Wayzata Public Schools has very limited open enrollment. In accordance with state law, 1% of Wayzata students are accepted through open enrollment, with an additional 0.7% reserved for children of district employees. In total, open-enrolled students make up just 1.7% of our student population—roughly 10 students per grade level.

Operating costs are not a part of the referendum for new facilities. Capital and operational referendums are uniquely different funding mechanisms with distinct purposes. Funds from a capital referendum (often called a bond referendum) are specifically for building, renovating, or purchasing new facilities, while operational referendums fund the day-to-day expenses of running a school district. Operating costs for Minnesota schools are funded through a combination of state, local, and federal sources. The state provides most of a school district’s funding through a formula that considers factors like student numbers and special needs, while local taxes, primarily secured through voter-approved property taxes, contribute the next largest portion. Federal funding accounts for the smallest share of the budget.

No. Those schools are outside the Wayzata Public Schools attendance area and were not considered as a solution for our growing resident enrollment. 

Both Request 2 and Request 3 would be funded through bonds with a 25-year term.

The proposed elementary and middle schools would be built on land already owned by the school district in Medina. The site is bounded by Highway 55 to the north, Hamel Road to the south, Pinto Drive to the east, and Arrowhead Drive to the west.