Edina Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, June 8, 2026
Excellence in Action: Starbase STEM Initiative Presentation
Draft Student Handbooks for 2026-2027 Discussion
Policy Review (410, 539, 618, 629, 902)
Placement of Spanish Dual Language Program
Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2027
Collective Bargaining Agreement with EPASS
Votes (5)
Placement of the Spanish Dual Language Program
Dissent: None
Moved by Birdman [30:46] · Seconded by Aram [30:52]
Superintendent Bittman explained that a year-long comprehensive process involved various stakeholders, leading to the recommendation. The primary factor for choosing Southview Middle School was the student experience, particularly regarding elective opportunities and the impact of multiple language immersion programs in one school. Board members emphasized ensuring the program's success with full resources and support, and acknowledged that communication with parents could have been better.
Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2027
Dissent: None
Moved by Erum [33:51] · Seconded by Hoovi [33:52]
Director Woodard detailed the projected revenues ($180.9M) and expenditures ($173.8M), leading to a projected $49.8M fund balance with 11.0% unassigned, exceeding policy targets. He explained state formula changes, including a 2.69% increase in basic education formula and higher special education aid. Discussion also covered future challenges like enrollment declines and wage growth, underscoring the fund balance's role as an 'insurance policy' and acknowledging the strategic efforts to achieve financial stability.
Proposed 2026 to 2028 Collective Bargaining Agreement between Independent School District 273 and the Edina Professional Association of Support Staff
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Ellenberg [38:40] · Seconded by Birdman [38:40]
Executive Director Sonia Sailor announced the ratification of a tentative agreement with EPASS, covering department specialists, administrative assistants, and other support staff. Key financial highlights include step advancements, 3% and 4% wage schedule improvements over two years, increased health and dental contributions, and the addition of a sunset date to the severance provision. Board members congratulated the teams for reaching a timely agreement and praised the vital role of EPASS members.
Approval of Policies 418, 530, 620, and 636
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown Board Member [39:53] · Seconded by Erum [39:53]
Director Ellenberg briefly reviewed the updates: Policy 418 (Medication Authorization Form) included a state statute-based update to appendices. Policy 530 was made consistent with MSBA model policy and state statute. Policy 620 had no changes. Policy 636 clarified roles within the special education department. No questions or comments from board members followed the review.
Approval of Policies 113, 506, 806, and 810
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown Board Member [40:48] · Seconded by Hoovi [40:48]
Director Ellenberg noted that these policies were previously discussed last month, and no changes had been made based on board feedback. The board proceeded directly to a vote without further discussion.
Notable Quotes (9)
The reason we're recommending that, all things being equal in many of the categories, the one category that tipped it to the middle school that we're referring to has to do with the student experience, the amount of elective opportunities that they and other students would have, and the impact that having tool two language immersion type programs in one school would have on other students and the students involved with that.
Our goal is to make sure that regardless of where the physical location is is that the SDL program at middle school will be successful. It will be fully resourced, it'll be fully supported, um and that um the constituency should understand that at Southview it'll still be an amazing program.
I think that our all of our I have full confidence in all of our leaders at our sites and here. Um I think where as a leadership team and not even our current leadership team, but as our leadership team when we were starting this process, um could have done a better job is working on this sooner and communicating expectations. And so for parents that have been caught up in this, um I just want to say that absolutely I think we should have done a better job doing that...
In terms of our general fund, we're projecting revenue of $180.9 million offset by $173.8 million in expenditures, um which means that we'll end next school year at a projected $49.8 million fund balance, um of which 11.0% is designated as unassigned, which is well above your policy 702 range of a minimum of 6% and a maximum of 10%.
So, while we've earned a short-term stability, we are continuing to monitor and find ways to enhance our stability while dealing with the headwinds that are coming forth in subsequent years. In terms of our other funds...
I think uh the importance of the fund balance really I look at it in terms of an insurance policy. We have some really um great programs, any Diana. Um we have really nice um, class size ratios that the school board has put forth. We have um, really robust programming and options at the secondary level, both middle school and high school. All those things um, require a significant deal more financing than what the basic education formula provides.
The financial highlights of the proposed agreement include step advancement for eligible employees in both years of the agreement, a 3% improvement to the wage wage schedule in the first year and a 4% increase in the second year of the agreement, a wage schedule modification to reduce the L10 longevity step to L7 and the L20 longevity step to L17 beginning in the first year...
EPAS was our last group in the school district that had a severance provision that um did not include a sunset date. So, a July 1, 2026 sunset date will be added to the agreement's severance provision.
And I'm pleased to hear that the last severance component has finally been dealt with, so thank you for that. Um and just a shout out to all of our EPAS members that they are the glue that makes everything happen, and whenever you talk to anyone in the district who talks about um all these people, they literally are help make everything go.
Ordinances & Resolutions (23)
No-cost STEM initiative for students.
New building-level handbooks replacing district-wide document.
Foundational template used for developing new student handbooks.
Annual notice of education records rights included in handbooks.
Guidelines for suspension and expulsion included in handbooks.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policy under review.
Internships and Shadowing policy recommended for rescission.
Assessment, Grading, Reporting, and Student Progress policy under review.
Student Fundraising policy under review.
Use of School District Facilities and Equipment policy under review.
Board policy regarding minimum and maximum fund balance percentages.
Annual budget document for the district.
Website where the full budget and financial information are published.
Agreement outlining terms for support staff employees.
Medication Authorization Form policy approved.
Policy approved for consistency with MSBA model and state statute.
Policy approved without changes.
Policy approved to clarify roles within the special education department.
Policy approved without changes since prior discussion.
Policy approved without changes since prior discussion.
Policy approved without changes since prior discussion.
Policy approved without changes since prior discussion.
State commission on special education financing.