StoryWelcome of Interim Superintendent Dr. Daniel BitmanJune 11, 2026

Edina School Board Approves New K-12 Social Studies Curriculum

The Edina Public Schools Board unanimously approved a new social studies curriculum for all grade levels at its May 5 meeting, while also hearing updates on community fundraising efforts and the interim superintendent's leadership plan.

Meeting date: May 6, 2025
Published Jun 11, 2026

The board voted to adopt new K-12 social studies materials designed to improve alignment across grade levels and provide more student-centered learning. Implementation will be phased, with early adopters beginning in the 2025-2026 school year and full elementary rollout in 2026-2027. Staff explained the delay allows teachers to first adjust to new reading curriculum being introduced next year.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Daniel Bitman presented his 15-month leadership plan, outlining three phases focused on building community trust, analyzing data, and ensuring a smooth transition for the next permanent superintendent. Board members expressed confidence in Bitman's approach after his first three weeks on the job, praising his listening skills and collaborative style.

Two community organizations highlighted their work supporting Edina students. The Edina Education Fund reported that its inaugural Be a Hornet Day on May 2 raised over $12,000 and reached 88,000 people on social media. Edina Give and Go, which provides scholarships for enrichment activities to students facing financial barriers, announced it has distributed more than $1.6 million to nearly 3,000 students over 11 years. The organization currently reaches about 30 percent of eligible students, with one in five Edina students qualifying for support.

The board also discussed several policy revisions that will come up for formal votes at future meetings. Notable changes include updates to the student attendance policy requiring each secondary school to develop specific plans for addressing tardiness, and revisions to a policy on staff notification of violent student behavior to align with state law. Board members raised questions about ensuring staff safety and support when enforcing attendance rules.

Additionally, the board approved Edina's $143,737 share of facilities maintenance costs for Intermediate School District 287, a regional special education cooperative. While this represents a 75 percent increase from the previous year, officials said it will be offset by reductions elsewhere, resulting in minimal net impact to taxpayers.

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Votes (20)

Agenda Approval

Approved unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Early in meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [Early in meeting]

Standard agenda approval with no substantive discussion. Chair Gabler called for motion to approve the agenda for the May 5, 2025 board meeting.

Be a Hornet Day Presentation

No vote required

Dissent: None

Moved by None - informational presentation · Seconded by None - informational presentation

Kathy Rendleman, Executive Director of Edina Education Fund, presented the inaugural Be a Hornet Day (May 2, 2025), a community engagement initiative designed to promote school spirit and raise funds for education programming. The event achieved significant success with over $12,000 raised, 88,000 social media viewers, and 1,456 interactions. The presentation included analysis of social media platform engagement, noting that Facebook was most effective for alumni engagement while Instagram drove highest interaction on the event day itself. The event featured a mayor's proclamation and widespread community participation. Board members expressed enthusiasm and appreciation for the initiative.

Edina Give and Go Presentation

No vote required

Dissent: None

Moved by None - informational presentation · Seconded by None - informational presentation

Stephanie Francis Jones (Executive Director), Dr. Amarie Leland, and Claire Damon (student ambassador) presented Edina Give and Go's mission to provide equitable access to enrichment opportunities for students facing financial barriers. The organization has provided over $1.6 million in scholarships to nearly 3,000 students since becoming independent 11 years ago. Currently reaching approximately 30% of eligible students (1 in 5 Edina students qualify for scholarships). The presentation highlighted the organization's role as a bridge between families needing support and community resources. Recent successes include the Gift Girl Gala (raising $130,000, exceeding goal by 30%) and the Gear Swap event (90 volunteers, 360 families donating, 460 families shopping, $18,000 raised). Board members praised the work and asked about expansion to pre-kindergarten programming. Discussion revealed that while the organization is exploring early learning support, current focus remains on K-12 with $500 school-year and $500 summer funding per student, with goals to increase over time.

Consent Agenda Approval

Approved unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [During consent agenda] · Seconded by Unknown [During consent agenda]

The consent agenda included personnel recommendations, memorandum of understanding with Educa Virtual Pathways, non-renewal of probationary employees, electronic fund transfers, check requests, Q Comp annual report, food service management contract for fiscal year 2026, board letter thanking staff, routine business around leases, and iPad refresh proposal. No items were removed from the consent agenda.

Superintendent Leadership Plan for 15-Month Interim Period

No vote required

Dissent: None

Moved by None - informational presentation · Seconded by None - informational presentation

Dr. Daniel Bitman presented a comprehensive 15-month leadership plan developed collaboratively with board members and administrative team. The plan is organized into three phases: (1) April-June 2025: Establishing credibility and trust through community engagement, school visits, one-on-one meetings with leadership, and responsive feedback; (2) July-December 2025: Communicating improvements, analyzing data, and planning summer leadership retreat; (3) January-June 2026: Assessing and refining key initiatives, maintaining community trust, ensuring sustainability, and developing transition plan. Key themes include innovation, community and family engagement, responsive leadership, and measurable progress toward student achievement. Dr. Bitman emphasized the importance of trust, collaboration, transparency, and honoring the work already done by previous leadership. Board members expressed confidence in Dr. Bitman's approach and his demonstrated listening and observation skills in his first three weeks.

2025-2026 Assessment Plan and Calendar

No vote required; will come up for action at June meeting

Dissent: None

Moved by None - informational presentation · Seconded by None - informational presentation

Greg Guser (Teaching and Learning Data Programming Analyst) and Jody D. Hubert (Director of Teaching and Learning) presented a revised assessment plan that separates the statutory assessment calendar from a comprehensive narrative document. The narrative includes detailed descriptions of each assessment, its benefits, why it is used, when results are available, and how to access them. The plan addresses concerns about assessment load on students and includes specific provisions for Spanish and French language programming. Discussion highlighted the intentionality around balancing assessment needs with instructional time and student stress. Board members praised the clarity of the document and asked about educator understanding of assessment data. Staff reported confidence in educator capacity to use data, particularly with FastBridge literacy assessments (3-4 years into implementation) and with support from literacy coaches. The plan will come up for action at the June meeting.

Policy 515: Protection and Privacy of Student Records

No vote taken; will come up for action at future meeting

Dissent: None

Moved by None - discussion item · Seconded by None - discussion item

Assistant Superintendent Nate Swenson presented revisions to Policy 515, which is a lengthy policy with limited substantive changes. Main changes include: (1) adding definitions around who district officials are; (2) clarifying what data can and cannot be released to military recruitment officers; (3) revising language around securing student records to reflect current electronic data management practices rather than outdated physical security measures. The policy committee emphasized that the revisions ensure the policy reflects current times and technology while not lessening security. The policy was reviewed on cycle (approximately one year after previous review).

Policy 503: Student Attendance

No vote taken; will come up for action at future meeting

Dissent: None

Moved by None - discussion item · Seconded by None - discussion item

Assistant Superintendent Nate Swenson presented significant revisions to Policy 503, which was reviewed by school administrators, student support services, health services, enrollment, district attorney, and district leaders. Key changes include: (1) moving request for modified learning experience provision from Policy 503 to Policy 605 for better alignment; (2) adding language clarifying that the board delegates implementation responsibility to administration (rather than implying board approves individual absences); (3) significant revisions to align definitions of excused, unexcused, and exempt absences with Department of Education expectations, narrowing exempt absence use; (4) moving tardiness from appendix to policy body with new language requiring each secondary site to develop and maintain a site-specific tardiness plan with clear procedures; (5) striking language about three-hour activities provision that cannot be monitored. Board members discussed the importance of attendance enforcement and staff support in implementing tardiness plans. Director Ellenburg raised concerns about whether staff would feel supported in enforcing tardiness policies and asked about additional measures. Assistant Superintendent Swenson explained that the new language requiring site-specific tardiness plans addresses this concern by ensuring consistency across the district rather than leaving it to individual teacher discretion.

Policy 605: Alternative Education Services

No vote taken; will come up for action at future meeting

Dissent: None

Moved by None - discussion item · Seconded by None - discussion item

Policy Chair Eric Allenberg presented Policy 605, which was updated to incorporate language regarding requests for modified learning experiences, moved from Policy 503 for better alignment. The language defines when modified learning experiences can and cannot be requested. No other changes were made to the policy.

Policy 529: Staff Notification of Violent Behavior of Students

No vote taken; will come up for action at future meeting

Dissent: None

Moved by None - discussion item · Seconded by None - discussion item

Assistant Superintendent Nate Swenson presented revisions to Policy 529, which was reviewed by principals and administrative personnel. The policy was revised to align with statute by narrowing the definition of reportable incidents to specifically address student violence toward staff members. Previously, the policy language was overly broad and did not reflect the actual intent of the policy. The revision changes the definition of violent behavior to: 'willful conduct in which a student endangers or causes physical injury to a district employee.' This means that student-to-student violence will no longer trigger automatic staff notification under this policy. Board members raised concerns about staff safety and whether staff would have information about student-to-student violence. Assistant Superintendent Swenson clarified that the policy revision aligns with state statute and MSBA recommendations, and that while this specific policy does not require notification of student-to-student incidents, practice may differ from policy and staff may receive information through other channels. Chair Gabler emphasized the importance of ensuring staff have information needed for their personal safety.

Policy 531: Pledge of Allegiance

No vote taken; will come up for action at future meeting

Dissent: None

Moved by None - discussion item · Seconded by None - discussion item

Policy Chair Eric Allenberg presented Policy 531, which had no substantive changes, only formatting updates.

Policy 611: Homeschooling Policy

No vote taken; will come up for action at future meeting

Dissent: None

Moved by None - discussion item · Seconded by None - discussion item

Policy Chair Eric Allenberg presented Policy 611, which had no substantive changes, only formatting updates.

Policy 610: Student Homework

No vote taken; will come up for action at future meeting

Dissent: None

Moved by None - discussion item · Seconded by None - discussion item

Policy Chair Eric Allenberg presented Policy 610, noting that this is a unique policy held by only a few districts in the state. The board discussed whether the policy is necessary and concluded it does no harm and could be helpful for site administrators and families with questions about homework expectations. The policy was clarified to acknowledge that not all students learn the same way and to ensure the policy is not applied punitively to students with learning disabilities or barriers to learning. Added language emphasizes parent-teacher communication and support for individual student needs. Director Jody D. Hubert added that the policy is grounded in the purpose of homework and includes clarification for parents that they are to support and facilitate homework at home, with open communication with teachers and principals as needed.

Policy 609: Religion and Religious Exemptions

No vote taken; will come up for action at future meeting

Dissent: None

Moved by None - discussion item · Seconded by None - discussion item

Policy Chair Eric Allenberg presented Policy 609, which had no substantive changes to the main policy but included an important addition to the appendix. The addition provides clear, defined steps for families and students to opt out of assignments or activities due to religious reasons. This addition was developed in collaboration with high school staff, particularly Principal Pillean and the science department, where religious exemption requests most commonly arise (particularly in physical earth science). The appendix addition ensures clarity for both families and teachers about the process and expectations. Board member Director Ellenburg raised a question about whether the policy aligns with recent Minnesota legislation regarding reading textbooks and religious exemptions. Policy Chair Allenberg agreed to follow up before the policy comes up for action to ensure alignment with the legislation.

K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Adoption

Approved unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [Early in action items] · Seconded by Unknown [Early in action items]

Director Jody D. Hubert, Assistant Director Bethany Van Oel, and Administrative Dean Jamie Hawinson presented the K-12 social studies curriculum adoption for board approval. The presentation emphasized the extensive work of curriculum committees and teachers who volunteered for the process. The adoption addresses teacher requests for updated materials and improved vertical and horizontal alignment, rigor, and student-centered learning. The proposal includes resources that align with both the 2011 standards and the proposed ethnic studies standards (currently on pause at the state level). The curriculum companies have confirmed that their resources work with both sets of standards, so the district will not need to overhaul materials regardless of which standards are ultimately adopted. Implementation will be phased: early adopters will begin in 2025-2026, with full K-5 rollout in 2026-2027 to avoid curriculum overload alongside the new ELA (Benchmark Advance) adoption. The K-5 teachers will receive new reading/literacy curriculum in 2025-2026, which includes three units aligned to social studies standards, providing some social studies content support while they wait for the full social studies curriculum. Board members praised the work and asked about the timeline for K-5 materials. Staff explained that the phased approach is intentional to manage teacher capacity and allow early implementers to work through implementation and alignment with the new ELA curriculum before full rollout.

Intermediate School District 287 Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Proportionate Share for Fiscal Year 2027

Approved unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [During action items] · Seconded by Unknown [During action items]

Director of Finance and Operations Mert Woodard presented Edina's proportionate share of ISD 287 long-term facilities maintenance revenue for fiscal year 2027 (taxes payable 2026). Minnesota law allows intermediate school districts and special education cooperatives without their own taxing jurisdiction to access the tax base of member school districts to generate long-term facilities maintenance revenue. ISD 287 is proposing total long-term facilities revenue of $1,722,120 to be levied across member districts. Edina's proportionate share is $143,737, representing a 75% increase over taxes payable in 2025. However, this increase is directly offset by a reduction in lease levy revenue for the same year, resulting in a minimal net impact of approximately $995 from pay 2025 to pay 2026. Board member Michael Bergman, who serves as Edina's representative on ISD 287's board, reviewed the proposal and voted in concurrence to pass it on.

Approval of Policies 509, 510, 527, 528, 538, and 612

Approved unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [During action items] · Seconded by Unknown [During action items]

Policy Chair Eric Allenberg presented six policies for approval. Most policies had no substantive changes other than formatting updates. Policy 510 (Open Enrollment) received clarification regarding student tuition fee charging authority. Allenberg noted that language was moved from the purpose section to Roman numeral 4 at the end of the policy to clarify when the district can charge student tuition fees based on feedback from the previous board meeting.

Leadership and Committee Updates

No vote required

Dissent: None

Moved by None - informational update · Seconded by None - informational update

Director Arum provided an update on the Legislative Action Committee (LAC) work. With the Minnesota legislative session approaching the May 19 closing date, there are numerous education bills under negotiation that could have significant impacts on public schools statewide. The LAC is calling for action to contact legislators on the Senate and House education finance committees to preserve funding mechanisms established in the 2023 session and address other out-year funding issues. Board members are encouraged to contact their legislators directly or through the LAC page.

Superintendent Update

No vote required

Dissent: None

Moved by None - informational update · Seconded by None - informational update

Dr. Daniel Bitman provided a brief superintendent update noting the busy time of year in April and May for students, families, and staff. He highlighted several accomplishments and initiatives: (1) The district received a Certificate of Excellence for its financial program from the National Association (credit to Director Woodard and his team); (2) New artwork from the Art of Edina collection (previously displayed at Southville Mall since 2019) is now displayed in the boardroom, featuring work by high school and other district students in partnership with the Art of Edina organization, which promotes community art in public spaces; (3) Upcoming graduations will celebrate the culmination of student work from K-12. Dr. Bitman invited community members to attend graduation celebrations.

Meeting Adjournment

Approved unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [End of meeting] · Seconded by Unknown [End of meeting]

Chair Gabler called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Notable Quotes (46)

Show your pride, support the hive. It would connect with our strategy E of the Dina public schools strategic plan to engage parents, school and community and to point out that every hornet should be supported every day.

— Kathy Rendleman, Executive Director, Edina Education Fund
Be a Hornet Day Presentation

This is a day to build off of. um this is the beginning of something new that we'll be doing at the ed front.

— Kathy Rendleman
Be a Hornet Day Presentation

I thought it was a great event. I was at one of the elementary schools that day and there were a lot of kids wearing green, staff wearing green. That was really cool.

— Director Barry
Be a Hornet Day Presentation

The role of Edina give and go is to build an equitable and connected community. Um, we help to ensure that every student in Edina public schools has a true opportunity to thrive. Um, by leveling the playing field outside of the classroom.

— Stephanie Francis Jones, Executive Director, Edina Give and Go
Edina Give and Go Presentation

When you have a child that is engaged around anywhere from 44 to 80 hours, so that sweet spot and out of schooltime programming throughout the summer. Um, and then you also go into the school year that really makes a marked difference in that child's life in terms of that achievement, that learning, the knowledge base, that opportunity.

— Dr. Amarie Leland
Edina Give and Go Presentation

I am fortunate that money has never been a consideration or has never needed to be a consideration when I choose clubs and activities for myself. But for many of my fellow students, this is not the case.

— Claire Damon, Student Board Member, Edina High School
Edina Give and Go Presentation

We have a child thriving in theater thanks to your support. We have a chess guru who has won awards thanks to you. We have an aspiring gymnast thanks to you. And we have a basketball athlete who experiences community when her disability often isolates her from her peers.

— Testimonial from family letter
Edina Give and Go Presentation

And so then the next day the parent came in and I sat down with them for an hour, went through, you know, heard all about what they needed, went through the application form with them and wrote the check and that student is going will be going to Chicago next MEA break.

— Dr. Amarie Leland
Edina Give and Go Presentation

I know that you guys focus on mostly extracurricular and you mentioned enrichment. has um eini given go ever thought about um starting earlier than kindergarten as Brian Williams eloquently stated um that a lot of times kids start behind and so I was just wondering if that's something that you ever thought about is is there any way to offer enrichment opportunities before kids even start kindergarten?

— Director Ellen Burke
Edina Give and Go Presentation

Just thank you for the opportunity and the trust to lead this district with you in partnership. just excited about the next 15 months.

— Dr. Daniel Bitman, Interim Superintendent
Superintendent Leadership Plan for 15-Month Interim Period

We know that we're strong in our mission and vision, and it's embedded into every single thing that we do. And you see that through each of our reports that we had tonight and our discussions that we have day in and day out.

— Dr. Daniel Bitman
Superintendent Leadership Plan for 15-Month Interim Period

We talk about innovation, we talk about engagement, and we talk about transition. So for us as a school district, we recognize that we're about academic excellence, about innovation, about student centered learning. The words that continue to stand out to me in everything that we do relate to integrity, to compassion, to courage, commitment, appreciation, and responsibility.

— Dr. Daniel Bitman
Superintendent Leadership Plan for 15-Month Interim Period

We recognize that without community engagement and family engagement, we would be nothing. And so we recognize and want to continue to look for ways to partner.

— Dr. Daniel Bitman
Superintendent Leadership Plan for 15-Month Interim Period

It's clear that in your short time here, you have listened, you have made honest observations, and you're here to work together with us. So, um, I think as our tagline says, we are going to continue to define excellence with you.

— Chair Gabler
Superintendent Leadership Plan for 15-Month Interim Period

I thought let's kind of break this up into two different pieces. And so I broke it up into the narrative version of the assessment plan which includes the assessment calendar. Now to meet our statutory requirements, we need approval on the assessment calendar.

— Greg Guser, Teaching and Learning Data Programming Analyst
2025-2026 Assessment Plan and Calendar

I just wanted to note that on the first page that's like an overview page, um there are two paragraphs that highlight what um will be specifically given in English for both our Spanish programming and our French programming. And I know that um in our last board discussion, we had conversations just around how we're balancing the amount of time that our students are taking assessments and getting the accurate instructional information that we need to make sure that they're thriving and meeting our metrics.

— Jody D. Hubert, Director of Teaching and Learning
2025-2026 Assessment Plan and Calendar

I wanted to thank you for how in-depth you went in the description of the tests and the tests and who is it for and what it is for all the parents who have been on the portal and their test results page going what is a reading what is CBM meeting I don't understand this is your cheat sheet for all of that so I hope we can link this description into all of the emails from principles saying you know testing season is coming this is what it means because this was really helpful.

— Director Barry
2025-2026 Assessment Plan and Calendar

I appreciate your thoughtfulness and I would just encourage us as a leadership team to keep that in mind is the assessment work the instructional time um and is a value added and then potentially and I don't know if that I can't remember off the top of our my head everything we're asking in the panorama data but it could be interesting at some point to ask a question around data because d is only going to become more sophisticated, especially once we start bringing AI in and all of these things and I can see increased pressure to keep doing more and more testing is to potentially look into which is ironic I know but collecting data on our students um level of stress with the amount of testing and making sure that we're um hitting that right balance at least from a student perception perspective.

— Director Ellenburg
2025-2026 Assessment Plan and Calendar

We needed to revise the practice to um reflect what we're able to do. And so we have revised the language. Um so the district will provide a written plan to each each site as it reads before this addition. um it's much more comprehensive and is not reflective of what we do in our system.

— Assistant Superintendent Nate Swenson
Policy 515: Protection and Privacy of Student Records

Because so much of our student data is electronic and this was a little outdated that um we're not lessening any security, it's making sure that our policy reflects really the times um that are here right now.

— Policy Chair Eric Allenberg
Policy 515: Protection and Privacy of Student Records

We really needed to tighten up use of ex exempt absences to more closely align with how the Department of Education would expect us to utilize them.

— Assistant Superintendent Nate Swenson
Policy 503: Student Attendance

Each secondary site must develop and maintain a sightspecific party plan with clear procedures for implementation and monitoring. this is a a different language than what is presently in the policy um and more closely aligned with what our practice is right now.

— Assistant Superintendent Nate Swenson
Policy 503: Student Attendance

I know that attendance is something that we do hear from um from time to time about just staying on top of that and and enforcing policy. And it's also something that if you pay attention to the state or national conversation, many school districts, if not all school districts are grappling with that.

— Director Ellenburg
Policy 503: Student Attendance

I believe that new language around tardiness will be really helpful because then one of the things that I will do as a means of monitoring it is making sure that each building does have a tardiness plan in place that is known and is being monitored.

— Assistant Superintendent Nate Swenson
Policy 503: Student Attendance

This policy was specifically around uh a student uh being violent with a staff member. And so we re we've revised language or recommending revisions to make sure that the policy is actually reflective of that.

— Assistant Superintendent Nate Swenson
Policy 529: Staff Notification of Violent Behavior of Students

So by removing that um it gives me pause a little bit. Um because I'm just thinking about our staff members um and their safety. Is there another policy where that is addressed or is this MSBA's recommendation or a legal re recommendation?

— Chair Gabler
Policy 529: Staff Notification of Violent Behavior of Students

And this also doesn't prohibit us from sharing that information. And that's why I said sometimes practice is different.

— Assistant Superintendent Nate Swenson
Policy 529: Staff Notification of Violent Behavior of Students

In a perfect world. teachers will know about that because they play a huge role as you know in trying to um make sure that doesn't happen anymore and watch for signs of whatever the conflict is.

— Director Arum
Policy 529: Staff Notification of Violent Behavior of Students

It is not doing any harm and that it could be helpful for um site level administrators um and giving a little framework around homework expectations for parents and students if they have questions um around too little homework, too much homework, which is our guess as to how this policy actually came into existence.

— Policy Chair Eric Allenberg
Policy 610: Student Homework

We did want to clarify that we added some um verbiage at the very end under D um Roman numeral 4 D. Um just to make sure to acknowledge that not all students learn the same way and we did not want the policy to feel punitive.

— Policy Chair Eric Allenberg
Policy 610: Student Homework

Teachers and actually last year as well that they um really appreciate this policy and yet there were not necessarily defined clear um steps for families and students to take if they did want to opt out of an assignment or an activity because of religion.

— Director Jody D. Hubert
Policy 609: Religion and Religious Exemptions

We actually collaborated with the high school staff on this one um starting back in the fall. And that staff included um Principal Pillean who's the head of the science department where this comes up um the most within physical earth science.

— Director Jody D. Hubert
Policy 609: Religion and Religious Exemptions

Does this policy align with the statute that was passed by the legislature last year regarding reading textbooks and reading texts um and religious exemptions?

— Director Ellenburg
Policy 609: Religion and Religious Exemptions

I have to first and foremost say that uh none of this would be possible without all of our teachers who have been involved in our committees and it just happens to be teacher appreciation week. So, let's just give them all a shout out.

— Director Jody D. Hubert
K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Adoption

The proposal we have before you and I even have letters from the curriculum companies saying that regardless of the state standards, if we stick with uh the 2011 standards or move forward um to the new standards uh regardless the resources that have been recommended here um actually align with both and so we are not in a situation where we would need to do an overhaul um either way.

— Director Jody D. Hubert
K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Adoption

The teachers who have been such a key piece in this process are super eager to get started. They recognize that they need updates. They are eager to get new resources in their hands so that they can have a better aligned curriculum.

— Director Jody D. Hubert
K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Adoption

Here's the good news, right? And and it's really realistic. So you asked questions about some of the um assessment overload on students and we also have to think about the overload of curriculum adoptions on teachers and our K5 teachers are all uh getting new um reading literacy curriculum next year and so with that they are that curriculum has three units that are aligned to social studies standards.

— Director Jody D. Hubert
K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Adoption

We've got Jaime's team who is poised and ready to work through some of that. Um, really, really helpful in implementation science processes to have a team of early impleers go through it first.

— Director Jody D. Hubert
K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Adoption

Thank you for addressing the background and that no matter what is decided, this curriculum aligns with our next step. So, I appreciate that. And then I I really appreciate the additions to this report, like just the background, the context, the why. Um, I know that was extra work. So, I really appreciate that because it just helps us make the best decision.

— Director Ellenburg
K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Adoption

Minnesota laws allow intermediate school districts and special education cooperatives who don't have their own taxing um jurisdiction or authority to access the tax base of their member school districts um so that they can generate long-term facilities maintenance revenue and keep their facilities in a state of good repair.

— Director of Finance and Operations Mert Woodard
Intermediate School District 287 Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Proportionate Share for Fiscal Year 2027

The D's proportionate share of this long-term facilities maintenance revenue will be $143,737, which is a 75% increase over taxes payable in 2025, directly offset by a reduction in lease levy um revenue for the same year. Overall, it's a difference about of about $995 from pay 25 to pay 26.

— Director of Finance and Operations Mert Woodard
Intermediate School District 287 Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Proportionate Share for Fiscal Year 2027

There was an effort to clarify some more clarification around when we can charge for tuition. And so I just wanted to point that out to board members that that there was additional verbiage added.

— Policy Chair Eric Allenberg
Approval of Policies 509, 510, 527, 528, 538, and 612

There's we're fast approaching the May 19th um closing of the session. Um there are a lot of education bills that are up for negotiation and um and could have significant impacts the public schools and other public schools around the state.

— Director Arum
Leadership and Committee Updates

So, we have a call to action to contact our legislators and Senate um Senate and House uh education finance committees to hopefully preserve some of the uh funding mechanisms um that were involved in the 2023 session and some of the other things in the out years.

— Director Arum
Leadership and Committee Updates

It's a busy time of year in April and May for our students, families, and staff. So, just honoring the work that they do each and every day, and I'm grateful for the work and the care that they put into it.

— Dr. Daniel Bitman, Interim Superintendent
Superintendent Update

And this is a collection that actually was in the Southville Mall dating back to 2019. Uh and it was with an organization called the Art of Edina. And it was the philosophy and mission to promote community art in public spaces.

— Dr. Daniel Bitman
Superintendent Update

Ordinances & Resolutions (22)

Policy 515Policy

Protection and Privacy of Student Records - updated to clarify district official definitions and revise language around securing electronic student data

Policy 503Policy

Student Attendance - significantly revised to align with Department of Education expectations, including tightened exempt absence definitions and site-specific tardiness plan requirements

Policy 605Policy

Alternative Education Services - updated to incorporate language regarding requests for modified learning experiences

Policy 529Policy

Staff Notification of Violent Behavior of Students - revised to align with statute by narrowing focus to student violence toward staff members

Policy 531Policy

Pledge of Allegiance - formatting changes only

Policy 611Policy

Homeschooling Policy - formatting updates only

Policy 610Policy

Student Homework - clarified to acknowledge diverse learning needs and prevent punitive application to students with learning disabilities

Policy 609Policy

Religion and Religious Exemptions - added appendix with defined steps for religious opt-out requests

Policy 509Policy

Approved with no substantive changes

Policy 510Policy

Open Enrollment - clarified language regarding student tuition fee charging authority

Policy 527Policy

Approved with no substantive changes

Policy 528Policy

Approved with no substantive changes

Policy 538Policy

Approved with no substantive changes

Policy 612Policy

Approved with no substantive changes

2025-2026 Assessment PlanPlan

Comprehensive assessment calendar and narrative document detailing all district assessments, purposes, benefits, and result timelines; addresses assessment load concerns and includes language-specific provisions

K-12 Social Studies Curriculum AdoptionPlan

New curriculum resources for K-12 social studies with phased implementation beginning 2025-2026; aligns with both 2011 and proposed ethnic studies standards

Superintendent Leadership PlanPlan

15-month interim leadership plan organized into three phases: credibility establishment (April-June 2025), operational excellence (July-December 2025), and deepening impact with transition planning (January-June 2026)

ISD 287 Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Proportionate ShareOther

Fiscal year 2027 facilities maintenance funding allocation for Edina Public Schools through Intermediate School District 287

Edina Strategic PlanPlan

District strategic plan referenced throughout meeting; includes strategies for community engagement, equitable school culture, and student achievement

Data Metrics PlanPlan

Plan for measuring student achievement and operational excellence; assessment plan data feeds into this plan

Comprehensive Literacy PlanPlan

District literacy initiative with dedicated literacy coaches at elementary, middle, and high school levels

ReadAct RequirementsOther

State legislation requiring K-3 English assessments three times per year; impacts assessment plan implementation

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Other Topics from This Document

  • Be a Hornet Day Community Engagement Initiative

  • Edina Give and Go Scholarship and Enrichment Support

  • Superintendent Leadership Plan for 15-Month Interim Period

  • 2025-2026 Assessment Plan and Calendar

  • Policy Review: Student Records Protection (Policy 515)

  • Policy Review: Student Attendance (Policy 503)

  • Policy Review: Alternative Education Services (Policy 605)

  • Policy Review: Staff Notification of Violent Behavior (Policy 529)

  • Policy Review: Student Homework (Policy 610)

  • Policy Review: Religion and Religious Exemptions (Policy 609)

  • K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Adoption

  • Intermediate School District 287 Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Proportionate Share

  • Policy Approvals: Multiple Policies (509, 510, 527, 528, 538, 612)

  • Legislative Action Committee Update

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