Edina City Council — Transcript
Monday, October 16, 2023
Story
Special Education Staffing Proposal Draws Strong Opposition at School Board
World's Best Workforce (WBWF) and Achievement & Integration (AI) Public Hearing
Special Education Due Process Minutes Dispute
Edina Education Fund Annual Report
PreK-12 Comprehensive Literacy Plan Update
Votes (3)
Approval of Meeting Agenda
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair Allenburg [5:51] · Seconded by Unknown [6:04]
The agenda was amended to move the enrollment report and data metrics plan to a later date due to time constraints.
World's Best Workforce (WBWF) Hearing
Dissent: Public concern noted regarding the 'B' grade threshold and the 20% to 30% administrative diversity goal typo.
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Public testimony questioned the district's decision to use a grade of 'B' as a proxy for academic proficiency in Gateway courses.
Special Education Due Process Public Comment
Dissent: Widespread opposition from community and staff regarding the contract proposal.
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Over ten speakers testified against removing the 200-minute weekly due process time allotted to special education teachers for IEP management.
Notable Quotes (5)
I would also like to propose that we move our data metrics plan to November.
What does it say to a kid who's trying really hard who gets a C and could be considered proficient by existing benchmarks who's then told I'm sorry you're not proficient because you're not getting a B?
This is based on research from universities that say that... 80% retaining 80% of the information demonstrates that you are proficient.
The approximate cost of this time is 1.5 million annually and this directly impacts our ability to increase our educator salaries commiserate with other competing districts.
This new proposal feels inefficient and would be a scheduling nightmare for to my department not to mention chaotic for our students.
Ordinances & Resolutions (3)
A state-mandated plan focusing on five key areas: school readiness, third-grade literacy, achievement gap closure, college/career readiness, and graduation rates.
A strategy required for districts with racially identified schools to address disparities and increase integration.
A district-wide framework for evidence-based structured literacy instruction passed in 2021 for K-5 and 2023 for 6-12.