Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Early in meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Early in meeting]

Board approved minutes from special meeting and closed meeting on June 16, regular meeting on June 16, work session on June 20, and special meetings on June 25, June 30, and July 1.

Superintendent Performance Evaluation

Dissent: None

Moved by Not specified · Seconded by Not specified

Board met with Superintendent Dr. Dressen on July 19 to discuss his 2013-2014 performance evaluation. Assessment covered six areas: governance, planning and resource management, staff relations and development, student relations, communications, and curriculum and instruction. Dr. Dressen exceeded expectations in all areas. Board identified key strengths including collaborative leadership model, strategic plan implementation, and financial/facility resource management. Areas for growth include advancement of accountability within strategic plan through data use and leadership of aggressive action plan for 2014-15.

Edina Family Center Presentation

Dissent: None

Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable

Lori Dennis presented the Edina Family Center's work serving 500+ families annually through early childhood education and school readiness programs. The center has been operating for nearly 30 years and recently achieved Parent Aware four-star quality program status. Key initiatives include: 50 staff members (12-17 licensed Early Childhood Educators), partnerships with Metro South adult education for ESL and GED programs, guided discovery-based preschool curriculum, cultural liaisons for Somali, East Indian, and Hispanic-speaking families, and removal of barriers through transportation and financial assistance. New pilot program with state creates MARS numbers for all children starting at birth to track development. Five-day preschool program with one day of ECFE is nearly full, providing families with five half-days of preschool to prepare for full-day kindergarten.

Leadership Update and Strategic Plan Overview

Dissent: None

Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable

Rick presented the 2014-15 leadership update detailing the district's strategic plan in year three. Key focus areas include: advancing excellence through secondary and birth-through-grade-five program planning, e-learning implementation, personalized learning with emphasis on competency-based education rather than credits, and comprehensive facility planning. Major competency areas identified: communications, engaged citizenship, innovation and thinking, global competency, motivated lifelong learner, and well-rounded person. Personalized learning profile includes academic strengths, challenges, wellness, learning styles, interests, personality, and goals/aspirations. Big three goals for the year: personalized learning, coherent/comprehensive educational program (cradle to career), and partnerships. Full implementation of transformation expected by 2019-20, with impacts beginning in 2014-15. Summer construction underway at Creek Valley, Highlands, Cornelia, and Cornelia elementary schools. Facility Advisory Task Force forming with July 31 application deadline. Possible spring bond referendum being considered.

Consent Agenda Approval

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Mid-meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Mid-meeting]

Board approved multiple routine items including: personnel recommendations for new staff positions, expenditures for July 16, 2014, annual memberships (Association of Metropolitan School Districts, School Board Association), medical adviser appointment, student teaching agreements with University of Wisconsin, St. Catherine University, and Illinois State University, concert band extended field trip to East Caribbean over spring break, and community gifts. One board member questioned whether the district would move toward standardized student teacher contracts written by the district rather than individual university contracts.

Metro South Adult Basic Education Consortium Agreement

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Mid-meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Mid-meeting]

Board approved renewal of longstanding consortium agreement between Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Richfield, and Edina school districts. Agreement leverages state dollars to provide adult literacy, under-21 programs for students who don't graduate on time, GED preparation, ESL, and other high-quality adult education programs. Contract formalized issues previously handled informally, with Bloomington serving as fiscal agent. Lori Dennis from Family Center noted the partnership provides ESL and GED preparation both onsite and in community center with childcare for eligible children.

Enrollment Projection Direction

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Mid-meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Mid-meeting]

Board renewed commitment to managing open enrollment of non-resident students by maintaining a 14-15% ratio aligned with resident student departures to private, public, or homeschool settings. This practice helps manage facility capacity as the district reaches enrollment capacity. Historically, approximately 14-15% of students leave the district annually, and the district accepts approximately the same percentage of non-resident students.

2014-15 Edina High School Calendar Modification

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Mid-meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Mid-meeting]

Board approved modification to high school calendar to better balance semester lengths. Current schedule has 87 days in semester 1 and 78 days in semester 2 (with 10 AP exam days and 2 MCA testing days). Proposed change ends semester 1 on last day before winter break (77 days) and extends semester 2 to 88 days. Benefits include: students completing semester 1 before winter break for true break, better balance of regular instructional days, and modeling of post-secondary education experience. Clerical/teacher day moved from January 20 to January 5. High school administration and teachers support the change. Board discussed need to communicate testing days separately from instructional days to parents. Potential implications for other grade levels to be discussed by calendar committee.

Birth Through Grade Five Academic Program Framework Approval

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Mid-meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Mid-meeting]

Board approved the BG5 program framework for implementation beginning in 2014-15. Framework focuses on four major areas: global awareness and understanding (updated to be more developmentally appropriate), enhanced and integrated curriculum, student wellness component, and innovative use of time, space, and talent. All initiatives align with secondary study but are age-appropriate for preschool through intermediate elementary levels. Vision statements created for each area. Implementation plan to be developed with monthly updates to Teaching and Learning Committee. Board emphasized the unique strength of this initiative being driven by teaching staff engagement rather than top-down administrative approach. Consultant noted this grassroots approach generates faster progress. Next steps include deeper research into each of the four areas, alignment with secondary study, and discussion of world language implementation across grade levels.

Board Committee Appointments, Liaisons, and Representatives for 2014-15

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Mid-meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Mid-meeting]

Board approved committee assignments for board members to specific school sites and district committees. Primary changes are school assignments for each board member. Noted that SACC committee at high school has not yet set meeting times, which may create conflicts for assigned board members. Cornelia Elementary has new principal whose meeting preferences are not yet determined. Board acknowledged flexibility may be needed at beginning of year to adjust assignments based on actual meeting schedules and conflicts.

Superintendent Advisory Council Salary and Compensation Agreement 2014-2016

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Mid-meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Mid-meeting]

Board approved two-year compensation agreement for superintendent advisory council (senior management positions). Total compensation package increase of 4.27% over two years, within parameters set by board HR committee. Includes 1% annual salary increase and 3% annual health insurance increase. Additional vacation days added to align with other organized groups. Salary adjustments totaling approximately $20,000 made to four of seven positions to bring compensation to average of targeted metro-area districts. Agreement ensures district competitiveness with other school districts in the region. Board emphasized this is not an organized group but senior management positions.

Community Education Services Coordinator Guide Book and Employee Guide Book

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Mid-meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Mid-meeting]

Board approved updated guide books for Community Education Services coordinators and employees. Guide books updated every two years using transparent process with established parameters. Salary increases of 1% per year with additional dollars allocated to benefits to maintain competitiveness with other districts. Language cleanup made based on reorganization of adult education and volunteer programs. Several positions were renamed rather than removed; some positions were consolidated due to similar functions. Board member questioned removed positions; administrator clarified these were renames and consolidations, not eliminations.

Cisco SmartNet Service Contract

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Mid-meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Mid-meeting]

Board approved annual Cisco SmartNet service contract for district infrastructure. Contract covers hardware failure, software upgrades, and technical support for routers and switches. Contract is based on state contract pricing and scales with number of access points. Cost increased $2,000 from prior year due to additional access points. Contract provides ongoing support for district's network infrastructure.

Assessment and Standards Management Software Platform (Mastery Connect)

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Mid-meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Mid-meeting]

Board approved three-year contract with Mastery Connect for assessment and standards management software platform. Evaluation committee reviewed five bids and selected Mastery Connect based on quality, innovation, and alignment with professional learning communities and standards-based curriculum. Platform enables creation, modification, sharing, distribution, and analysis of assessments, standards-based curriculum, and resources. Supports common assessments and grading patterns aligned across grade levels and content areas. District piloted product previously and has ongoing relationship with vendor. Software integrates with Google apps and includes curriculum mapping tools. Cost is slightly cheaper per student than previous pilots when contracted district-wide for three years. Board discussed data ownership and exit strategy; vendor allows data extraction if district chooses to leave. Vendor is responsive to district feedback and regularly implements suggested improvements.

Musical Instruments Purchase

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Mid-meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Mid-meeting]

Board approved annual allocation for musical instruments and string instruments for the instrumental music program. Purchase is part of annual budget allocation rather than major capital expenses every five years. Bids received annually; district maintains close relationships with vendors. Randy Smale and team conducted background work on bids. Allocation falls within budgeted parameters.

Policy Approvals (Policies 538, 635, 808, 809, 9008)

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Mid-meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Mid-meeting]

Board approved five policies: Policy 538 (Student Field Trips and Travel Onetime Waiver), Policy 635 (Education Programs Education Innovation), Policy 808 (Buildings and Sites Naming Facilities), and rescinded Policies 809 (Buildings and Sites Naming Rights) and 9008 (Community Relations Parent Involvement). Policy 635 was updated to include a definition of 'innovation' in response to board request from June meeting. Policies 809 and 9008 were rescinded because they are now governed by other existing policies. All policies previously reviewed by board except for new information in Policy 635 sent to board members earlier that day.

Leadership Action Plan for 2014-15 and School Board Agenda

Dissent: None

Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable

Board reviewed leadership action plan for 2014-15 and draft school board agenda. Action plan identifies priorities and specifies whether items report to board or lead team. Board agenda is working document based on leadership action plan and yearly actions. Board conducted significant work at recent retreat discussing what items should be on agenda and decision-making process. August work session planned to allow board to provide further direction before August action. Administration will bring committee agenda items for the year to allow planning and prioritization of board and committee time. Board member appreciated the identification of work type (learning, implementation, or standard level) in the action plan as helpful for understanding progress on continuous improvement.

Leadership Staffing Updates and New Hires

Dissent: None

Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable

Board welcomed new administrative hires and provided updates on ongoing recruitment. New hires include: Jeff Jorgenson as Special Education Director (from South Washington County, previously Alexandria and Worthington districts, recognized for financial management and creative staffing solutions); Chris Holden as Principal at Normandale Elementary; Lisa Mysika at Cornelia Elementary; and Ryan Carlson as Assistant Principal at South View (previously at Shakopee Lakes as assistant principal, dean and teacher in East Carver County, graduate work at St. Mary's University). Penny Codd transitioning to administrator in special assignment with focus on strategic work while Jeff Jorgenson handles operational special education director duties. Ongoing recruitment for Human Resources Manager (reference checks finalizing, expected to name this week) and Assistant High School Principal (finalist interviews Friday, community forum Monday July 28 at 4:00 PM at high school with three finalists).

Facility Planning and Bond Referendum Consideration

Dissent: None

Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable

District is conducting comprehensive facility study addressing aging buildings (built in 1950s-70s), capacity constraints, and 21st-century safety and security needs. Facility Advisory Task Force being formed to help shape future spaces; application deadline July 31, 2014; work period August-October 2014. Board had work session earlier in evening to learn about constructing possible building facility bond referendum. Community survey conducted in early June showed community awareness of facility needs and interest in supporting such a project. If board moves forward with spring referendum, formal action likely in fall 2014. Major facility challenges include: age of buildings, reaching capacity with student enrollment, safety and security needs given 1950s-60s construction, and need to match facilities with evolving programming. Summer construction projects underway at Creek Valley, Highlands, Cornelia, and Cornelia elementary schools. Minor incident with underage worker in late June/early July addressed in cooperation with union representatives.

2014-15 School Year Start and Calendar

Dissent: None

Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable

School year starting earlier than typical, beginning August 25, 2014. New teacher training begins August 11, preschool workshop begins August 18. Earlier start creates shorter summer but administration believes will create quality learning opportunities on the back side of the year. District emphasizing themes of hope and happiness to kick off the year, based on research showing that creating a hope picture for students and logging it into memory increases academics. Focus on engagement and helping students understand the connection between hope and learning.

Health Services Annual Report

Dissent: None

Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable

Board noted excellent Health Services annual report in board packet showing over 61,000 student visits to student health offices during past school year for injuries, illnesses, medication, and special procedures. Report breaks down diversity of needs and services provided by school nurses and health associates. Board member suggested posting report on district website for public and community awareness.