Edina Public Schools — Transcript
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Story
Edina Schools Board Approves 2018-19 Budget and Staffing Plans
Impact of Budget on Music Programs
Implementation of Personalized Learning at Elementary Level
District Budget Alignment and Future Studies
Instructional Staffing Guidelines and Class Sizes
School Wellness Policy Review
Votes (7)
Unrequested Leave for Two Teachers
Moved by Matt [1:02:00] · Seconded by Brendon [1:02:00]
The board considered a motion for unrequested leave due to insufficient full-time equivalency (FTE) for two teachers, attributed to changes in course offerings within the district.
2018-19 Budget Alignment Plan Approval
Moved by Margo [1:02:40] · Seconded by Unknown [1:06:00]
The budget alignment plan was presented for approval, incorporating feedback from a prior listening session without changes. The district aims to restore an 86% unbalanced budget. It was confirmed that future studies on instructional support and instrumental music would be broadened across K-12.
Creek Valley Elementary 2018 Lighting Replacement Bid Approval
Moved by Unknown [1:08:30] · Seconded by Unknown [1:08:30]
The board reviewed bids for the lighting replacement project at Creek Valley Elementary. The selected vendor was already working on a district construction project, and the bid came in under budget, funded through long-term facility maintenance.
Elementary Instructional Staffing Guidelines, Secondary Guidelines, and Special Programs Approval
Moved by Unknown [1:19:00] · Seconded by Unknown [1:19:00]
The guidelines were presented with minor changes related to special education 'intermittent needs' programming and EL services, reducing caseloads due to unpredictable student needs. Board members requested future discussions on differentiated class size guidelines for specific elementary programs and more frequent, detailed reporting on secondary academic class sizes, noting concerns about high class size averages and their impact on budget and student accommodation.
Policies 533, 628, and 702 Approval (Wellness Policy Discussion)
Moved by Unknown [1:28:30] · Seconded by Unknown [1:28:30]
The board engaged in a detailed discussion primarily on the Wellness Policy (Policy 702), specifically addressing federal guidelines for 'competitive foods' sold on school grounds. A board member questioned the policy's strictness, particularly regarding items sold in school stores and booster concessions, and the messaging to high school students about moderation versus exclusive 'smart snacks', balancing educational choice with federal compliance and the risk of losing federal aid for school lunch programs.
Edina FIRST Robotics Team Trip Approval
Moved by Unknown [1:29:00] · Seconded by Unknown [1:29:00]
The board approved the trip for the Edina FIRST Robotics team to the world championships in Detroit, Michigan, recognizing their achievement in qualifying.
Edina Community Center (ECC) Re-roofing Bid Approval
Moved by Unknown [1:30:00] · Seconded by Unknown [1:30:00]
The board approved a bid for a re-roofing project at a section of the Edina Community Center. The bid was favorable, and the vendor had a positive prior working relationship with the district.
Notable Quotes (9)
I believe that with our multi-year planning approach continuing to look at the 1718 year and of course this is the focus of this approval is 1819 but always looking multi-year has has helped this district and I move us forward to getting back to 86% unbalanced along with meeting this needs of our students
as we discussed as leaders that would be best for us to look more broadly and not just the pairs in the CP prepares across the actually across the k-12 there's to ensure that resource is being deployed in a way that impacts impact student achievement and student support
we receive very good bits on our creek valley lighting replacement this vendor currently is working within a district construction project so they're familiar with what's going on within the district and so we we do recommend them and it is funded through the long-term facility maintenance funding it is under budget
the intermittent need students are really a type of student we're seeing more predominantly within our systems across the United States right now these are students that that have needs that are sometimes very low and sometimes very high and it is unpredictable... so it's necessary to keep those caseloads relatively low
I'd really like to get more contacts and more information as to what's going on in the secondary level because we get these averages but we also know that we have some classes you could have band that has 60 kids in it and then I just I can't really get an indication from here to tell me for our core academic classes how there are those classes
if we think that we we don't have such tolerance for our class size in math language activities core courses that's so high then we need to be more prepared to find 0.4 ft in the budget to open up another couple sections of language art to our math and suddenly it becomes part of our budget process
do competitive foods include things sold by boosters at athletic games under that definition... does the school store count
it is so federally directed we don't have choice between midnight and 30 minutes after the school day it's not our choice... the consequences if we are out of alignment with the federal standards we were asked losing the federal aid for free and reduced lunch
for me personally I feel it seems a little over prescriptive with things like the school store... I'm a little sensitive to the messaging to students that the only good snack are things that are like smart snacks and taking away the message that children should be involved in choosing snacks and that is okay to have things in moderation
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
The district's budget for the upcoming school year, undergoing preliminary approval and alignment.
A policy that was tabled for discussion at a later time.
Guidelines for determining elementary class sizes and staffing, discussed for approval with special education and EL service updates.
Parameters for determining secondary class sizes and staffing, subject of board inquiry for more detailed reporting.
Part of a set of policies including the Wellness Policy, discussed for approval.
Part of a set of policies including the Wellness Policy, discussed for approval.
A policy under review and discussion, particularly concerning 'competitive foods' and federal nutrition guidelines.
A digital platform used by teachers to track student progress and mastery of standards.
Standardized tests used to track learning, achievement, and growth data for students.
Federal guidelines that competitive foods sold on school grounds must meet.