Edina Public Schools — Transcript

Monday, August 10, 2026

New Administrator Introductions

Summer Construction Update

Strategic Plan Recap for Strategy C

Permanent School Fund Constitutional Amendment

Superintendent Updates

Votes (4)

Board Compensation Analysis

No immediate action; Director Birdman to craft a proposal for future action, with board consensus to include additional compensation for the Board Chair and a general stipend recalibration for all members, effective January 2027.

Dissent: None

Director Birdman presented an analysis indicating Edina's board member compensation ($4,500 annually) is below regional and top-50 district averages. He highlighted that Edina is unique in the Lake conference for not providing additional compensation to the Board Chair, despite a significantly higher workload. The board discussed the need to recalibrate compensation, which hasn't been adjusted in over 10 years, and supported adding extra compensation for the Board Chair, with potential consideration for the Vice Chair, effective January 2027.

Approval of 2026-27 School Board Goals

Approved Unanimously (All in favor)

Dissent: None

Moved by Man [0:46:00] · Seconded by Alenberg [0:46:03]

Board members confirmed prior review and edits to the proposed goals during a June retreat and July board meeting. The goals were developed collaboratively based on board feedback, year-end evaluations, and district priorities.

Approval of 2026-27 Superintendent Goals

Approved Unanimously (All in favor)

Dissent: None

Moved by Hooie [0:47:04] · Seconded by Alenberg [0:47:05]

Superintendent Bitman expressed appreciation for the collaborative development of the goals, stating they were based on the strategic plan and identified district needs.

Approval of Policies 208, 503, 520, 601, 616, and 626

Approved Unanimously (All in favor)

Dissent: None

Moved by Man [0:48:33] · Seconded by Alenberg [0:48:34]

Policy Chair Alenberg confirmed that the policies had been reviewed by the policy committee and the full board during previous sessions, indicating readiness for a vote without further discussion.

Notable Quotes (5)

Edina is the only late conference district that does not provide any compensation for the board chair.

Director Birdman [0:34:25]
Board Compensation Analysis

from a strategic standpoint of recruitment for potential future board members, we know that no one does that for the money but we should have some level of compensation that is representative of the hard work that they do.

Superintendent Bitman [0:35:46]
Board Compensation Analysis

It's really difficult for us to discuss this and vote on our own compensation. I think that's a very difficult thing for any politician or elected official to do.

Director Birdman [0:37:16]
Board Compensation Analysis

as we've evolved this over our different discussions, I think that the edits that were made to this that we finalized last time are great and I'm ready to approve.

Director Man [0:46:27]
Approval of 2026-27 School Board Goals

Just appreciative as Michael Bergman indicated just of the edits and the feedback. We developed those collaboratively based on the strategic plan and the work that we believe needs to come.

Superintendent Bitman [0:47:33]
Approval of 2026-27 Superintendent Goals

Ordinances & Resolutions (11)

2020 2030 EPS Strategic PlanPlan

The strategic plan for Edina Public Schools, currently undergoing a comprehensive review and assessment.

construction.edchoolsfinance.orgOther

Website where photographs and updates on summer construction projects can be viewed.

Permanent School Fund Constitutional AmendmentOther

A constitutional amendment on the November ballot in Minnesota to modernize the investment approach for public school trust lands.

Policy 208Policy

Policy reviewed and approved by the board.

Policy 503Policy

Policy reviewed and approved by the board.

Policy 520Policy

Policy reviewed and approved by the board.

Policy 601Policy

Policy reviewed and approved by the board.

Policy 616Policy

Policy reviewed and approved by the board.

Policy 626Policy

Policy reviewed and approved by the board.

2026 27 School Board GoalsOther

Goals designed based on board member feedback, evaluations, and district priorities, approved for the upcoming school year.

2026 27 Superintendent GoalsOther

Goals developed collaboratively with the board based on the strategic plan and district needs, approved for the upcoming school year.

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