Minnetonka Public School District
Step 4 of 10
Form a Steering Committee (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

102

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Minnesota is a
"May" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map MINNETONKA, MN 55345 Hennepin County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 2.9% (data source)
Non-White Students 23.0% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 20, 2026
Minnesota State Law

School districts may create a policy allowing students to be released for religious study, or they may choose not to coordinate with released-time programs and require the students' legal guardians facilitate the process.
Read more about "May" and "Shall" state laws

Full Law Text Link to State Law

120A.37 ATTENDANCE PROVISIONS CODED ELSEWHERE.

Subd. 8.Absences. (a) A parent or guardian may apply to a district to have a child excused from attendance, and the district may approve the application in accordance with section 120A.22, subdivision 12. An excused absence may include absence so that the child may attend, for up to three hours a week, instruction by a Tribal spiritual or cultural adviser, or a school for religious instruction. Section 120A.22, subdivision 12, identifies the persons to whom a parent may apply for an excused absence.

What Can My School District Do?

All school districts, regardless of whether they are required by law to allow released time, should implement good policy and be prepared for when a released time program may approach the district. The time to set the policy is before an active program is pressuring the district. Research polices the district can implement to protect teachers' and students' instruction time. Set polices that limit disruptions to students and the ability for proselytization to occur, impacting other students of faith or no faith. A more detailed write-up on school board policies can be read here.

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Schools in the District (13)
School Grades Period
Clear Springs Elementary
DEEPHAVEN EDUCATION CENTER
Deephaven Elementary
Excelsior Elementary
Groveland Elementary
Minnetonka East Middle
Minnetonka Senior High
Minnetonka West Middle
Minnewashta Elementary
Scenic Heights Elementary
Shorewood Education Center
Tonka Online
Tonka Online K-5
3 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
102
December 23, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
101
October 28, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
99
October 27, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
98
May 9, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
97
April 22, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
96
February 2, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
95
January 18, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
94
December 13, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
93
December 5, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
93
September 17, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
82
June 30, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
79
June 20, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
78
June 19, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
78
May 14, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
77
May 2, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
76
March 29, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
75
March 25, 2024
 
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