Edina Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, October 27, 2014
Story
Edina Schools approves $125 million facilities plan Phase 2
Facilities Investment and Activity Center Proposal
District Financial Performance
Enrollment Trends and Capacity Challenges
Strategic Initiatives and Equity
Votes (9)
Financial Audit Presentation for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2014
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [01:27:07] · Seconded by Unknown [01:27:07]
The auditor presented a clean, unmodified opinion on the district's financial statements and federal awards, indicating fair presentation of financial position. No control or compliance findings were reported for the financial statement or federal single audit. One issue was noted in the state compliance audit regarding two claims not being paid within the 35-day statutory limit. The district's cash position significantly improved due to state aid and tax shift repayments, restoring balance between cash and fund balance. Total general fund revenue was $91.8 million, 1% over budget, and expenditures were just under $91 million, 0.8% under budget.
Enrollment Projections and Facilities Capacity
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The administration presented five-year enrollment projections showing slight increases in total K-12 enrollment (1.6% or 200 students). Specific elementary schools like Cornelia and Highlands are projected to see meaningful growth, raising concerns about building capacity. The impact of open enrollment was discussed, with Edina having a net gain of about 1,150 public school students. The projections assume 9th graders remain in middle schools. Board members questioned the accuracy of individual elementary school projections due to choice programs and the process of offering open enrollment spots, particularly regarding the challenges of managing crowded kindergarten classes at Cornelia.
Next Generation Facilities Plan - Phase 2 Proposal
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The administration presented Phase 2 of the facilities plan, building on the Facilities Advisory Task Force report. The proposal, totaling approximately $125 million, includes three main categories: enhancing Next Generation learning spaces (flexible classrooms, media centers), developing an Activity Center (scaled-back 3+1 court design, freeing middle school gym space), and investing in district infrastructure (Safety and Security, athletic fields, alternative transportation facility). A revised timeline was proposed, extending the process to allow for more partner discussions, community input, and a potential bond referendum vote in May 2015 rather than March. Board members expressed excitement but also sought more detailed information on specific school accomplishments, space utilization studies for the Activity Center, and consideration of a larger Activity Center option.
Budget Adjustments (FY 2013-14)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [01:27:07] · Seconded by Unknown [01:27:07]
The adjustments were necessary to reflect a coding change for the technology levy from the general fund to the building construction fund. This was the only change and had been reviewed by the finance and facilities committee.
Acceptance of Financial Statements for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2014
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [01:27:07] · Seconded by Unknown [01:27:07]
The board moved to formally accept the financial statements, following the audit presentation. No further discussion was held.
Employee Health Insurance Renewal
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [01:27:07] · Seconded by Unknown [01:27:07]
The district sought bids due to the Health Insurance Transparency and Accountability Act. A zero percent increase was recommended with the current carrier, Blue Cross Blue Shield, for one year. The renewal aligns with teachers' group insurance plans and was reviewed by the Insurance Committee.
Long-Term Life and Disability Renewal
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [01:27:07] · Seconded by Unknown [01:27:07]
The renewal resulted in a zero percent change in rates and benefits. The carrier will change to Madison National Life, after the previous two companies did not submit bids. This item was approved without further discussion.
Annual Report on Professional Learning (FY 2013-14)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [01:27:07] · Seconded by Unknown [01:27:07]
The report detailed staff development goals for the 2013-14 school year, focusing on Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), racial equity training, and examining student performance. Key findings included increased use of formative assessment, increased student participation in leadership, and over 95% staff participation in Beyond Diversity training. Board members inquired about the report's format consistency and the transition to the World's Best Workforce reporting system. A minor amendment was made to correct an error on page 339.
Amended Student Policies (501, 503, 504, 505, 507)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [01:27:07] · Seconded by Unknown [01:27:07]
Updates were made to policies concerning school weapons, student conduct, student discipline, student publications, and student dress/appearance. Policy 504 and 505 included updated case law from MSBA. Policy 504 specifically added language to address body markings like tattoos. No specific notes or significant changes for 501, 503, 505, or 507 were highlighted beyond minor language clarifications or alignment with district mission.
Notable Quotes (18)
and pleased to report that we are in an approved position and are within one percent of budget both on Revenue expenditures
we once again were able to issue a clean or unmodified opinion on the district's financial statements it's the highest opinion that we can give
this is kind of an ongoing issue for the district you're required to pay any claims made to the district within 35 days of receiving the goods or services or the invoice for goods or services whichever is later two of the 40 claims that we pulled for testing were not paid within that 35-day limit
your cash position has really improved as with the state's financial position they have been able to pay it back some of that cash flow borrowing
when you look at our five-year enrollment projection both with resident growth and non-resident growth you can see that we have uh we're anticipating very little growth over the next five years it's very very very small numbers
I'd like to point out that this year Creek Valley is 22 students below the projection we expected Cornelia is 46 students above projection now last year Cornelia was 26 students below projection
am I correct in assuming that when you did this you are assuming the ninth graders are still in Valley View and in South View and you haven't projected forward based on the resolution saying we're in some way or shape or form moving the ninth graders to the high school
I'm trying to balance both the families who have residents here now are in what it was a 26 class at some point is a lot for kindergarten and just putting another adult para doesn't make the this size of the classroom larger those walls don't move and so it's crowded
I'm here to speak in regards to or uh our support I want to let you know our support of the proposed Activity Center at the Edina High School
we have 1300 kids in the program and that breaks down to about 140 teams that we're scheduling for practices twice a week and let me tell you every coach of every one of those teams would gladly schedule a third practice if they could
Edina shouldn't take a back seat to anyone when it comes to facilities the quality of our facilities our school facilities is reflection of our community
the first is really that that primary focus to enhance Next Generation learning spaces creating flexible spaces we have very traditional classrooms as you know our as we've talked a lot about with our Architects the double loaded Corridor kind of thing where you've just got cells and bells model but looking to try to provide some variety of different spaces
I wouldn't want to build space for PE to find out that we have changed the way that we give credit and we don't need that space because I'm trying to balance the activity center versus educational programming that isn't Activity Center driven
I have to say I'm actually very enthusiastic about the original five Court running track Activity Center and you know I know there was pushback both ways at the last meeting but I wouldn't you know at this point there's been no discussion there's been no vote and I wouldn't want you guys prematurely overly cutting back on that either
I think it's worth noting what a great job they did both at the six meetings and in their presentation to us... I for one feel a great deal of excitement about this I think it's a tremendous opportunity for the district and the community
one of our issues so um Kathy we worked with two programmers at mde to try to resolve several issues that we're having so one is the redundancy of the pages when it prints
a major Focus for professional learning last year was around PLC training around racial Equity training in terms of PLC work it was about Clarity on what we want students to learn what Mastery is going to look like and then how we intervene when learning happens at a rate slower or faster than what we expect
on 5042 we also addressed um body markings such as tattoos to be included in the student dress and appearance policy so it's just it's been a practice of the district around and we haven't had a big problem with it but this is kind of the trend right now is to call call out body marking
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Program by Northwest University recognizing students scoring in the top standards of grade-level tests.
Annual independent audit of the district's financial statements and federal awards.
Audit of compliance with state laws and regulations, specifically regarding timely payment of claims.
Study conducted in 2010 identifying needs for significant athletic field improvements.
Report given to the board on October 6th, completing its charge on facility needs and recommendations.
Survey conducted in May and June to gauge community support and tolerance for different facility improvements.
Ongoing study informing programming decisions, especially for Early Childhood and Elementary facilities.
District plan presented in April 2013 to address achievement, access, and opportunity gaps among students, focusing on five central gap areas.
State legislative report that will eventually incorporate staff development reporting.
State legislation that required the district to bid for health insurance renewal.
Student policies related to school weapons, student conduct, student discipline, student publications, and student dress and appearance, with minor amendments.