Edina Public Schools Officials 'Disappointed' by Minnetonka Graffiti

The students responsible for a prank gone awry at  over the weekend have been identified and will face disciplinary actions, according to school district officials.

Susan Brott, director of communications and community engagement, said the district is still investigating the incident and has reached out to officials in Minnetonka.

"We hope to be able to offer a positive response (e.g., Letter of apology, clean up crew if needed) today to better demonstrate what Edina, and specifically Edina High School, stands for in terms of respect and appropriate behaviors," Brott said.

Edina High School caught plenty of flak over a prank executed this weekend on Minntonka High School's senior rock. A group of Edina High School students painted the previously blue rock green and white, tagging "Edina" and "Hornets" on the stone.

The rock had been painted earlier this year in honor of Kennedy Maddox, a Minnetonka graduate who drowned in Lake Minnetonka this June.

The action and comments from Patch readers this weekend.

EHS Principal Bruce Locklear said he was "very disappointed in the individuals responsible for this inappropriate behavior."

"Such actions are not representative of what we stand for at Edina High School," Locklear said. "We expect much more of our students and certainly do not condone this behavior."

Locklear admitted competitions and rivalries between schools run deep, but said those rivalries should remain on athletic fields and should not involve the destruction of school property.

"On behalf of the Edina High School community, I sincerely apologize to the Minnetonka High School students, staff and community members affected by this disrespectful act," he said.

The MHS senior rock has already been painted back to Skipper colors, complete with the words "Tonka," "Seniors" and the initials "KM" for Kennedy Maddox.

The rock has been around since the early 1980s for Minnetonka seniors to paint.

Minnetonka Public Schools have been taking the action in stride.

"We appreciate the long-standing rivalry Minnetonka and Edina have in activities and athletics, but we believe this rivalry should stay on the field," said Minnetonka High School Principal Dave Adney. "We know the actions of a few Edina students do not represent their entire student body."  

Adney thanked Edina officials for their quick response to the graffiti, saying they are "looking forward to a good year of friendly competition."

Local Editor Becky Glander contributed to this report.

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