Edina Public Schools - School Board Regular Meeting, May 11th, 2026
Monday, May 11, 2026
Excellence in Action spotlight: Leader in Me at Creek Valley Elementary
Student leadership binders, Seven Habits, Wildly Important Goals (WIGs)
Cross-grade buddy programs at Creek Valley
Public comment: A2D Academy and after-school childcare / Kids' Club waitlist
Edina Give and Go annual impact report and partnerships
Consent agenda approval
Preliminary FY2027 budget presentation
Fund balance trends and five-year financial forecast
Special education cross subsidy and state funding changes
Blue Ribbon Commission and district financing
Areas of Interest (7)
- Kids' Club waitlist persists; nonprofit A2D Academy says district should partner rather than solve childcare alone.
- Five-year forecast shows significant deficit spending starting FY2030-2031 despite near-term stability.
- State-mandated $250M–$300M special education reductions for 2028-29 biennium could hit Edina's ASIS-funded elementary intervention positions.
- District fund balance rebounded from ~11% to 21% after $7.62M in painful FY23-24 budget cuts.
- Safety and security enhancements and high school program proposals not affordable under current funding structure.
- Give and Go's $40,000 grant targets learning loss from students who 'weren't able to come to school' early this calendar year — what happened?
- District pursuing first-ever ASBO Meritorious Budget Award with new interactive, accessibility-compliant budget document.
Votes (2)
Approve the agenda for the May 11 board meeting
Moved by Unidentified board member · Seconded by Unidentified board member
Approve the consent agenda
Moved by Unidentified board member · Seconded by Director Mann
Notable Quotes (8)
I founded A2D Academy in 2022 to help address the lengthy waitlist for Kids' Club.
Since our inception, we have grown from supporting five students the first year to now having capacity for 150 students after school.
We were able to support 905 Edina Public Schools students across 1,396 opportunities... deploying $283,082 in direct support.
We directed $40,000 to Edina Public Schools to address the learning loss that took place for the students that felt they weren't able to come to school at the beginning of this calendar year.
The total general fund revenue for fiscal 27 is budgeted at $180.8 million.
We did go through a relatively painful $7.62 million of budget reduction in fiscal 23 and fiscal 24.
The legislature said that for the 2028-29 biennium, the state would have to come together and find $250 million in reductions in the area of special education.
My daughter is going into college, and we still use the Leader in Me verbiage at home.
People (14)
Chair GablerSchool Board Chair, Edina Public SchoolsCalled meeting to order, read public comment policy 206, ran votes
1 quote
Called meeting to order, read public comment policy 206, ran votes
“I always feel so strict saying those rules.”
After reading public comment guidelines
Superintendent BittmanSuperintendent, Edina Public SchoolsCited for comments on safety/security of before- and after-school care
Cited for comments on safety/security of before- and after-school care
Jen RoundSecond grade teacher, Creek Valley ElementaryIntroduced two second-grade student leaders
1 quote
Introduced two second-grade student leaders
“I have two fabulous student leaders who are going to speak with you about their holding their leadership binders.”
Introducing students
Bryn ParmenterSecond grade student, Creek ValleyDescribed leadership binder; favorite habit synergize
1 quote
Described leadership binder; favorite habit synergize
“My favorite habit is habit six, synergize. I like it because I feel it is more fun when everyone is cooperating and having fun together.”
Presenting leadership binder
Evie Ramplin MasonSecond grade student, Creek ValleyDescribed binder sections and math graphs
1 quote
Described binder sections and math graphs
“My favorite habit is habit seven, sharpen the saw. It is good to do a variety of things to do to be a well-rounded person.”
Presenting leadership binder
Harrison LloydFourth grade student, Creek ValleyFavorite habit: put first things first
1 quote
Favorite habit: put first things first
“One of my favorite habits is put first things first. I like this because it teaches the skill of getting important things done first, like homework and reading.”
Leader in Me presentation
Hazel VanderwoodyFourth grade student, Creek ValleyFavorite habit: think win-win; buddy activity building cardboard sculptures
1 quote
Favorite habit: think win-win; buddy activity building cardboard sculptures
“I like think win-win. It is nice when everyone wins and is happy.”
Leader in Me presentation
Emily TorgersonFourth grade teacher and parent, Creek ValleyDescribed consistency of Leader in Me habits at school and home
1 quote
Described consistency of Leader in Me habits at school and home
“The students and staff at Creek Valley build these habits for a lifetime.”
Closing Leader in Me presentation
Allison DemiFounder and Director, A2D AcademyNonprofit STEM after-school provider founded 2022 to address Kids' Club waitlist
1 quote
Nonprofit STEM after-school provider founded 2022 to address Kids' Club waitlist
“The perception within our community is that Edina Public Schools must solve the after-school childcare needs by themselves. This is simply not true. I implore you to think outside of the EPS box and truly partner with the community organizations that are already trying to help.”
Public comment on childcare capacity
Stephanie Francis JonesExecutive Director, Edina Give and GoReported $283,082 deployed to 905 students; partnerships and new services
1 quote
Reported $283,082 deployed to 905 students; partnerships and new services
“We want to keep building this partnership so that no student in this district misses an enrichment opportunity simply because of cost.”
Give and Go presentation
Mert Wodarz (Woodard)Director of Finance and OperationsPresented $180.8M revenue, $174M expenditures, fund balance and forecast
2 quotes
Presented $180.8M revenue, $174M expenditures, fund balance and forecast
“While there's no imminent need for budget reductions this school year or the next three school years, the current structure also does not allow for significant enhancements.”
Five-year forecast discussion
“The pressure on financing is real, and that's why we like to carry a little bit more significant fund balance so that we can weather those storms.”
On special education funding cuts
Director Ellenberg (Allenberg)School Board DirectorPraised students and budget report; asked about Blue Ribbon Commission
2 quotes
Praised students and budget report; asked about Blue Ribbon Commission
“I wish I was a tenth of a bit as articulate as all four of you.”
To student presenters
“This is a phenomenal report. I can't even imagine the amount of time that went into it.”
On FY2027 budget document
Director MannSchool Board DirectorSeconded consent agenda motion
Seconded consent agenda motion
Dr. LelandEdina Community Education leaderCredited with informing wait-listed families of childcare options
Credited with informing wait-listed families of childcare options
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (4)
- Monday, May 11 — Edina Public Schools Board of Education regular meeting
- Prior month board work session — first review of FY2027 budget
- Edina Give and Go gala (recent)
- Summer Excited program (upcoming summer) — learning loss support
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
Community comment guidelines limiting speakers to 3 minutes and barring comments on specific staff or students.
General fund revenue $180.8M, expenditures ~$174M; projected 11.05% unassigned fund balance.