Edina Board Signals Support for 'Option C' Bond Plan as Member Warns of Transparency Risk
Superintendent Dan Bitman sought informal direction ahead of a Dec. 7 vote on a review-and-comment document that could include up to $2.7 million in added Coleman Stadium seating.
Edina Public Schools Superintendent Dan Bitman asked the School Board for informal confirmation that it still supports a bond package known as 'Option C,' setting up a Dec. 7 vote on the statutory review-and-comment document that must be filed with the Minnesota Department of Education before a potential referendum.
Option C, as described by administration, would devote 76 percent of bond proceeds to safety and security work and 24 percent to six facility enhancements, while also seeking authority to purchase land. Bitman also asked whether the board wanted to include roughly $2 million to $2.7 million for additional seating at Coleman Stadium in the draft document.
Most board members signaled they were ready to proceed, but the discussion drew a sharp objection from board member Erica, who said key documentation about Option C had not been available to the board or the public.
No one in our community knows what option C is. I don't even remember what option C is.
The reason that Edina has been able to pass every single thing that we've brought in front of our voters is because of the trust that they've placed in our board... once you lose that, you don't give it back.
Bitman responded that the board had been working from the same information for months.
The majority of the board has indicated for the last several months that they had sufficient information and we're ready to go.
Stadium seating debated
Other Topics from This Document
Agenda approval
Chair Gabler called the Nov. 9 meeting to order with a quorum; agenda moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Consent agenda
No items were removed; consent agenda approved by voice vote.
Strategic plan recap – Strategy A
Vice Chair Cheryl Barry recapped the 2019 strategic plan and Strategy A (academic excellence, growth, readiness), noting new curricula (ELA benchmark, math, amplify, social studies, science, early learning), new assessments (FastBridge, aCappy, Benchmark), LETRS training, new AP courses and middle school exploratory days.
Combining polling places for 2027
Executive Director of Finance and Operations Mert Woodard explained the board may combine Edina's 16 established polling places in a non-general-election year; administration recommends combining to four sites arranged by quadrant for a potential 2027 referendum.
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