Special Education Staffing Proposal Draws Strong Opposition at School Board
More than ten teachers and parents spoke against an Edina Public Schools proposal to eliminate weekly planning time for special education staff at the October 17 school board meeting, while the district defended the change as necessary to fund competitive teacher salaries.
A contentious debate over special education staffing dominated the Edina Public Schools board meeting Tuesday, as community members packed the room to oppose a district proposal that would replace 200 minutes of weekly planning time for special education teachers with nine annual workload relief days.
The weekly time, known as "due process minutes," allows special education staff to manage Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) — the legally required plans that outline services for students with disabilities. Speakers argued the consistent weekly time is essential for compliance and student stability. "This new proposal feels inefficient and would be a scheduling nightmare for my department, not to mention chaotic for our students," said Ellen Mt, a special education teacher.
Board Chair Allenburg acknowledged the opposition but explained the financial stakes: "The approximate cost of this time is 1.5 million annually and this directly impacts our ability to increase our educator salaries commensurate with other competing districts." The matter remains in contract negotiations, and the board took no official action.
The board also held a public hearing on the district's "World's Best Workforce" plan, a state-mandated strategy addressing school readiness, literacy, achievement gaps, and graduation rates. Community members questioned the district's decision to use a letter grade of "B" as the benchmark for proficiency in key courses. One teacher asked, "What does it say to a kid who's trying really hard who gets a C and could be considered proficient by existing benchmarks?" Superintendent Dr. Stanley defended the approach, citing university research that 80 percent retention of material demonstrates proficiency.
In other business, the Edina Education Fund reported contributing nearly $500,000 during the 2022-2023 school year to support literacy training, mental health programs, and science initiatives including a student space flight experiment. The board also celebrated the district's 200th state athletic championship, highlighting the growth of girls' sports following Title IX and the expansion of adaptive athletics programs. The agenda was amended to postpone discussion of enrollment data and metrics to a future meeting.
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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.
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Other Topics from This Document
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
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