Edina Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, June 16, 2014
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Recognition of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teachers
Boys Golf Team State Championship
Active Routes to School Plan
Birth to Grade Five Academic Program Study
Alternative Compensation (Alt Comp) Program Transition
Preliminary Budget for 2014-2015
Special Education Strategic Study
Student Wellness Program Update
Secondary Learning Experience Grade Configuration
Power Standards, Common Assessments, and Grading for Learning
Superintendent Performance Goals and Bonus
Policy Reviews (Series 500 and 900)
Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal
Bus Relocation Agreement
EPASS Contract Renewal
Personnel Recommendations
10-Year Alternative Facilities Funding Plan
Health and Safety Budget
Policy 538 Waiver - 18-Month Notification
Votes (22)
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Early in meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Early in meeting]
Minutes from multiple meetings in May and June were presented for approval. No additions or corrections were noted by board members.
Recognition of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teachers
Dissent: None
Moved by Not formally motioned · Seconded by Not formally seconded
Jennifer Duncan, Molly Cramer, and Molly Nackenrude were recognized for exceptional work. The Minnesota Department of Education sent a visitation team to study the district's successful pullout and push-in programming models. Teachers discussed the unique opportunity of working with children from birth to age 21 and serving them in their home schools as itinerant teachers.
Boys Golf Team State Championship Recognition
Dissent: None
Moved by Not formally motioned · Seconded by Not formally seconded
The Edina boys golf team won the state championship, defeating Wayzata by one stroke. Coach Phil Fonger and three senior players (Sam Fay, Kobe Boe, and Jingle King) were recognized. The team's success was attributed to strong individual scores (71-75 range) and team cohesion despite golf being an individual sport. Players discussed summer tournament plans and the competitive landscape for next year.
Active Routes to School Plan Presentation
Dissent: None
Moved by Not formally motioned · Seconded by Not formally seconded
Katherine Bass and Valerie Burke presented a comprehensive active routes to school plan developed through a joint City-District task force. The plan addresses the decline in walking and biking to school from 50% in the 1960s to less than 15% today. Key recommendations include allowing bicycling on sidewalks (with restrictions on speed and yielding to pedestrians), improving crosswalk policies, enforcing school speed zones, improving bicycle parking, and constructing sidewalk gaps near school sites. The plan emphasizes that it is not about forcing children to walk or bike, but about providing safe infrastructure and support when families choose active transportation. Benefits include healthier children, better academic performance (with research showing physical activity enhances brain function for up to 4 hours after arrival), reduced traffic congestion, and improved air quality.
Birth to Grade Five Academic Program Study Presentation
Dissent: None
Moved by Not formally motioned · Seconded by Not formally seconded
Randy Smele and Gwen Jackson presented findings from a year-long strategic design process examining next-generation elementary and early childhood programming. The study used a strategic design process including discovery, brainstorming, option development, and refinement phases. Four key recommendations emerged: (1) Global awareness and understanding through world language, technology, student leadership, and service learning; (2) Integrated curriculum connecting academic skills to real-life situations; (3) Student wellness and engagement through movement, cultural responsiveness, and understanding individual student interests (sparks); and (4) Innovative use of time, space, and talent including flexible learning spaces, staffing models, and calendar flexibility. The study emphasized alignment with the secondary study and the importance of intentional, purposeful implementation of movement throughout the day.
Alternative Compensation (Alt Comp) Program Annual Report
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
Libby Sanvic and Rhonda Jonas Gear presented the sixth year of the Alt Comp program, which is transitioning into a new teacher evaluation model. The program uses cognitive coaching to guide teachers through reflective conversations about their teaching practice. Key achievements include: 97% of teachers implemented their goals and earned incentives, seven coaches conducted over 4,700 meetings with teachers, and teachers reported feeling less isolated and more open to peer observation. The program created a culture of self-reflection across the district. Beginning June 17th, the program transitions to a new teacher evaluation model with eight coaches (four returning from Alt Comp, four new), differentiated teacher training in August, and a new software data management system. The evaluation process will now be a three-year cycle rather than one-year standalone.
Preliminary Budget for 2014-2015
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
Margo Bach presented the preliminary budget with stable average daily membership, a $25 per pupil unit increase in state funding, and significant legislative changes including all-day kindergarten moving to the general fund. The budget reflects one-time enhancements funded through fund balance and strategic realignment of existing funds. Revenue sources remain approximately 70% state aid and 27% local levy. The district is performing slightly better than projected due to the state funding increase, favorable workers compensation premiums, and health insurance coming in slightly better than expected. The budget includes detailed five-year comparisons and benchmarking against Lake Conference districts. Key expenditures include approximately 83% on staff and just under 80% on instruction or instructional support services.
Special Education Strategic Study Presentation
Dissent: None
Moved by Not formally motioned · Seconded by Not formally seconded
Penny Codd presented findings from a special education program review focusing on students in levels 1-2 (67% of special education students who receive most instruction in core curriculum). The district serves 10.3% of total enrollment in special education, with significant growth in autism (130%), other health impairment (60%), and deaf/hard of hearing (doubled), but a 50% decrease in specific learning disabilities (attributed to RTI and early intervention). Key challenges include limited revenue sources, complex student needs, facility constraints, and achievement gaps between white students and special education students. Four strategic initiatives were recommended: (1) Clear ownership that special education students are the responsibility of all staff; (2) Redesigned relational approach with emphasis on student wellness and consistent case management; (3) Improved space and resource utilization including remote services for homebound students; and (4) Study of intensive service delivery models. Design teams will be formed with parent involvement, with recommendations expected in approximately one year and possible implementation in 2016.
Student Wellness Program Update
Dissent: None
Moved by Not formally motioned · Seconded by Not formally seconded
Randy Smele reported on a successful student wellness challenge in April with 230 participants and 100% positive feedback. High school student leaders partnered with community mentors to design physical activity challenges for younger students. The event featured Dr. John Ratey as a guest speaker and emphasized the connection between physical activity and brain function. The district is also transitioning food service to Chartwells effective July 1st, with Daniel Hutchinson appointed as the new director of food service. The district continues to implement nutrition education programs and monitor federal regulations.
Secondary Learning Experience Grade Configuration
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
The board approved a directional move toward a 6-8 middle school and 9-12 high school configuration (from the current 6-9 and 10-12 model). This aligns with state legislation on ninth-grade credits and transcripts and allows ninth-grade teachers to work together as a cohort. The implementation team studied multiple models and determined this configuration best supports the secondary academic plan recommendations. The decision is directional only; further study on implementation, facilities, staffing, and costs will occur before formal adoption. The board emphasized this is the 'what' not the 'how,' with implementation planning to follow.
Location of Eighth Grade to Secondary West Campus
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
The board approved locating eighth grade at the secondary West campus as part of the directional move toward a 9-12 high school model. This decision supports the broader secondary learning experience restructuring and allows for further study of resource areas including space, staffing, and programming.
Power Standards, Common Assessments, and Grading for Learning Implementation Process
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
The board approved a phased implementation process for identifying power standards, developing common assessments, and implementing grading for learning through policy development. Power standards are identified using criteria including endurance (concepts that last a long time), leverage (concepts that apply across content areas), and readiness (concepts needed for the next level). Phase one focuses on elementary math; subsequent phases will address other content areas and grade levels. The process will move to the policy committee in July for policy development. A board member requested a presentation to the full board and community to explain the benefits and implementation of this initiative.
Superintendent Performance Goals and Bonus
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
The board approved the superintendent's full $3,000 annual bonus based on successful performance against established goals. The HR committee reviewed progress and expressed full support for the superintendent's work during the past year.
Policy Reviews (Series 500 and 900)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
The board reviewed and approved policies 516 (Student Medication), 9006 (Community Notification), 9007 (Community Relations), 9008 (Rewards for Solving Crimes), 9010 (Tobacco and Alcohol), and 9011 (Drug-Free Schools). No changes were made since the May 19th review.
Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
The board approved a 16.6% decrease in workers compensation premiums and authorized a shift to six-month renewals (effective January 1st) to align with property liability insurance renewal. This alignment allows for more competitive bidding opportunities and potential cost savings through combined bids or separate vendor selection. The decrease in premiums is attributed to a high claims year falling off the claims history.
Bus Relocation Agreement
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
The board approved an updated bus relocation agreement with the City of Edina, clarifying that operational costs of the transportation department will be considered in relocation evaluations. The agreement updates a 1999 agreement and establishes parameters for potential redevelopment of the current bus garage site. The district maintains control of its property and the city must find an alternative facility that meets the district's needs. Administration noted that the city and district plan to form a task force to coordinate any joint efforts.
EPASS Contract Renewal 2014-2016
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
The board approved the 2014-2016 contract with Edina Professional Associates of Support Staff (clerical support). The contract includes 2% increases for steps 5+ in year one and 1.5% in year two, expanded disaster leave to include family members (previously only staff members), and health insurance benefits increases of 0.5% in year one and 1.75% in year two. Total compensation increases of 4.42% ($137,000 over two years). Negotiations were completed efficiently due to a strong working relationship with the bargaining group.
Personnel Recommendations
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
The board approved personnel recommendations including Lisa Mika as principal of Cornelia Elementary (returning from Eden Prairie where she was an assistant principal) and Jeff Jorgenson as Director of Support Services (from South Washington County where he held the same position). Both individuals began work immediately despite the official July 1st start date. Lisa Mika has been involved in district meetings and data work and is a member of the district Equity Advisory Council. Additional leadership positions remain under recruitment.
10-Year Alternative Facilities Funding Plan
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
The board approved the updated 10-year alternative facilities funding plan, maintaining $10 million annually for years 1-2 and increasing to $15 million for years 3-10 to address critical asset preservation and deferred maintenance. The plan allows for annual updates based on internal and external changes. The district qualifies for alternative facilities funding because of the average age of its buildings and square footage; only about 25 school districts in Minnesota qualify. The district has been systematically replacing HVAC systems, with Cornelia completed last summer and Highland and Creek Valley scheduled for this summer. A correction was made to a worksheet that had double-counted the ECC in the middle section calculation.
Health and Safety Budget 2014-2015 and 2015-2016
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
The board approved the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 health and safety budgets as required by the Minnesota Department of Education. No major changes were noted from previous budgets. The health and safety budget is included in the overall district budget previously approved.
Policy 538 Waiver - 18-Month Notification
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown · Seconded by Unknown
The board granted a one-time waiver of Policy 538 regarding the 18-month notification requirement to allow the district to pursue academic field trips during May term at the high school level. The waiver was requested because the May term timeline could not accommodate the standard 18-month notification requirement. The teaching and learning committee supported the waiver.
Committee Appointments and School Liaison Assignments
Dissent: None
Moved by Not formally motioned · Seconded by Not formally seconded
The board discussed committee appointments and school liaison assignments. A board member raised concerns about scheduling conflicts with assigned schools, noting that some schools meet at times that conflict with other board committee meetings. The board agreed to compile meeting times and days for all assigned schools to facilitate better scheduling of assignments and ensure board members can actually attend their assigned school meetings.
Notable Quotes (22)
We have the great opportunity of working with children from birth to all the way up to age 21 so we get to watch kids grow and we get to be a part of their experience all the way through. What's really unique about our position is that we get to go from school to school we're itinerant teachers and we get to serve them in the schools that they're in.
The recognition that the program that we've created the pullout programs the push-in programs with the kids is really truly working and they're taking that information back to other districts and really trying to apply that there as well.
At the State we didn't score higher than a 78 which a lot of teams were having to take 80s, 85s, 86s for scores. Four scores count each day of the six and we just really took it to the other teams.
I didn't know exactly I had some idea on the 18th hole coach told me it was pretty close and he said it was within one shot so I thought it was really close coming down to the wire and I thought I needed to make my 30 foot putt in the last hole to beat Wayzata by one but it turned out I just needed a two-putt and we ended up winning by one.
The goals of active routes to school are really twofold: where it's safe we want to get more kids walking and bicycling and fix conditions where it's not safe. What it's not: it's not about making every kid walk or bike to school every day. It's not about making anyone walk or bike. It's also not about eliminating the yellow bus and it's not about eliminating cars.
Reduced independent mobility is linked to higher rates of obesity, reduced self-confidence and reduced emotional resilience. There's something about being able to navigate your world and navigate your neighborhood independently that really helps kids develop coping and emotional resilience skills.
This graphic shows groups of students brain images of students after 20 minutes of sitting quietly and after 20 minutes of walking and you can see how physical activity just really turns on the brain. Other research has shown that effect can last up to 4 hours after arrival at school.
In the real world you're using those things together and so the more that we can do that and the more that you can understand things by reading about it and maybe doing some science about it, it makes more sense to the child and it's more real world and that's the kind of thinking they're going to need to solve some of the issues that they'll face in their lifetimes.
Whether it's through motivation or brain development integrating curriculum ends in a result of better and longer term learning for kids.
We know it works from research and from practice but we just need to be more intentional about it. We need to notch it up like maybe four or five notches.
Through our pre-observation meeting I just asked her different questions about what made them challenging, what was particularly standing in the way of their learning. After the meeting she sent me an email and said thank you for the pre-observation, I redid what I was planning to do for my lesson as a result of our pre-observation conference.
She really wanted to write a goal that had something to do with all of her students achieving a C minus or higher in her class. By the end of the year all of her students in those classes that she was targeting did in fact achieve a C minus or higher.
Since 2003 the districts throughout the state have increased their reliance on the local levy operating referendums. State funding has been relatively flat and if you notice, now in 2015 is actually the first time it has gone higher at $926 than it was in 2003 at $911.
We have decreases in numbers we have more complex disabilities and more complex needs. The shift in student population means we are serving students with more intensive needs.
At the elementary level you have case managers that work closely with a student and family for many years, it's the same person looping through the years. However at the middle and high school because of content orientation we have been changing case managers from year to year. We're looking at can we possibly loop because it can be at the expense of a relationship with a family or with a student.
When you are exercising you're changing the blood flow, you're increasing glucose and oxygen, you're priming the brain for learning. You're producing chemistry that helps that brain learn at high levels and those chemicals help memory, they help retention, they literally help kids stay focused in school.
This is directional which allows us to advance it so we can start doing some program planning but also as we look at facilities, as we look at costs, as we look at staffing models that we'll be able to drive that deeper and then we'll come back and do some check-in points.
We use criteria like endurance, leverage, readiness. Readiness being about what do kids need for the next level and leverage being about what are some things that kids would learn that give them leverage with other content areas like math and science and language arts.
The timing is now right to move to a six-month renewal so that we could align workers comp renewal with property liability insurance renewal on January 1 and we could be more competitive possibly by combining the two or doing a bid and then selecting two separate vendors for each one depending what's more favorable to the district.
If a clerical person is on steps one through four there is no increase because they get the natural progression of an increase as they move from one step to the next. But for steps five or if they are on longevity they will have a 2% increase in year 1 and a 1.5% increase year two.
We started qualifying in 2007-2008 and previous to that our sources of funding were either going to the voters for approval every 10 years or so for different maintenance needs or capital funds which were about $200-400,000 a year. Now that alternative facilities funding is available we can systematically replace critical systems.
I've become not available often so I'm just thinking that if we could just maybe line up you know this typically meets the second Thursday and then make the assignments based on that so that we can all make sure that we can actually be accessible.
Ordinances & Resolutions (18)
Comprehensive plan developed by joint City-District task force to increase walking and bicycling to school through infrastructure, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation strategies.
Strategic design study examining next-generation elementary and early childhood programming with four key recommendations for implementation.
Comprehensive review of special education programs and services focusing on levels 1-2 students with recommendations for alignment, integration, and service delivery improvements.
Strategic plan guiding secondary school programming and grade configuration decisions.
Long-range capital improvement plan allocating $10-15 million annually for asset preservation and deferred maintenance.
Student Medication policy
Policy regarding 18-month notification requirement; one-time waiver granted for May term academic field trips
Community Notification policy
Community Relations policy
Rewards for Solving Crimes policy
Community Relations - Tobacco and Alcohol policy
Community Relations - Drug-Free Schools policy
Collective bargaining agreement with Edina Professional Associates of Support Staff covering clerical support positions
Updated agreement with City of Edina regarding potential relocation of bus garage; updates 1999 agreement
Report on sixth year of Alt Comp program required for submission to Minnesota Department of Education by June 30th
Official preliminary budget document including narrative, graphical, and detailed financial information
Two-year health and safety budget as required by Minnesota Department of Education
Phased implementation plan for identifying power standards, developing common assessments, and implementing grading for learning through policy development