April 21, 2005 School Board study session: A committee of citizens and staff studying various options for elementary/middle school instruction presented their report with 6 suggested options, including IB.  Julie Light, High Potential Coordinator at Minnetonka Middle School West, a parent in the district, and a member of the study committee, spoke about and presented her written objections to IB at any level in the Minnetonka Schools. The Board can use the suggestions of this committee for future planning under the Minnetonka Strategic Plan. No timeline is currently set, but it may be discussed this summer.

May 2005

   Julie Light also testified against IB before a Minnesota Legislature education sub-committee in May 2005, identifying herself as a parent and a teacher of gifted/talented students. Rep. Barb Sykora (R-Minnetonka) invited her into the hearing room just as the committee was considering language, suggested by Rep. Sondra Erickson (R-Princeton), which would have placed significant restrictions on IB and/or AP curriculums. TonkaFocus cannot confirm exactly how Ms. Light knew when and where to appear for this hearing. Rep. Sykora and her staff say they were aware a constituent had been waiting for hours to speak to the Education committee in the hall outside the conference room.

The MN Dept. of Education, and many letters and phone calls from IB supporters in Minnesota, played a part in convincing the Legislature to retain IB/AP without restrictions, as they have been for years.