Five Apply for Minnetonka School Board Vacancy

Five applicants have filed for the Minnetonka School Board vacancy created by the resignation of , who moved out of the school district.

Per state law, the School Board will use an appointment process to fill the term that has less than two years remaining.

1. Christian Vitale, Eden Prairie

2. Jim Patterson, Deephaven

3. John Holcomb, Chanhassen

4. Tricia Fairchild Maddox, Minnetonka

5. Heidi Garcia, Chanhassen

Garcia was added as a candidate on June 20, after it was discovered that application materials had been submitted in hard copy form to the District Office by the deadline, but due to a staff error had not been included with other applications received electronically.

Applicants will be evaluated which was used successfully for the last appointment process in 2006.

Appointment Process Timeline 

May 3 (Board meeting)

Approval and Announcement of process

May 7-June 12

Solicit resumes/letters of intent from applicants

June 12, 5:00 p.m. CDT

Application deadline

June 14-28

Board review of applications

June 21 (Special Meeting)

Board decides number of interviews and reference checks to conduct
Board sub committee develops interview and reference questions

June 28 (Special Meeting)

Invitation for interviews

July 9 - 11

Conduct Interviews 
(additional days added if needed)

July 12

Selection of finalists

July 13-18

Review of references/Finalist interviews  
(if needed)

July 19 (Special Meeting)

Selection of new board member

Aug 2 (Board Meeting)

Installment of new board member