Agenda Approval
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Opening] · Seconded by Unknown [Opening]
Standard procedural approval of meeting agenda for July 14, 2025 school board meeting.
Public Hearing: Renewal of District Operating Levy
Hearing Conducted; Action Deferred to Resolution Vote
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Procedural] · Seconded by Unknown [Procedural]
Public hearing held regarding renewal of operating levy originally approved by voters in November 2017. Director of Finance and Operations Merritt Woodard led the hearing. Board recessed regular school board meeting to conduct public hearing as required.
Consent Agenda Approval
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Consent] · Seconded by Unknown [Consent]
Consent agenda approved including monthly gifts and donations. Board Chair Gabler highlighted that district received over $1.2 million in gifts during the fiscal year from parents, PTOs, community organizations, and businesses including Edina Give and Go, Ed Fund, and local businesses. Emphasized importance of community partnerships and generosity.
State of the District Update
No Vote Required
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A [Informational] · Seconded by N/A [Informational]
Dr. Dan Bitman, Interim Superintendent, presented comprehensive district performance metrics. Key achievements: 92% of AP students scoring 3 or higher (among best nationally); 97 students earning bilingual certificates, 102 bilingual gold seals, 73 platinum seals; 100% of PreK-3 educators completed structured literacy training; all elementary schools became Unified Champion Schools; $119,870 raised in unified sports fundraising (exceeding all Minnesota school districts, colleges, universities except Delta Airlines); AAA credit rating sustained; National Association of School Business Officers award for financial transparency; 16 Edina High School juniors received college-sponsored book awards from institutions including Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Dartmouth; Edina High School robotics team (Green Machine) became first-ever Minnesota winners of national championship; one student selected for United States Senate Youth Program; 29 staff members recognized for 693 years of service; three AVID students received Wallen Scholarship with $16,000 total support.
Policy 113: Data Requests
Approved as Part of Policy Review (See Policy 208 Vote)
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A [Policy Discussion] · Seconded by N/A [Policy Discussion]
Director of Marketing Communications Stephanie Edwards presented updated data requests policy. Key change: new Minnesota statute allows districts to suspend data requests if requesters do not inspect data or remain in contact within 5 days. Edwards reported district receives 15-20 data requests annually. Nature of requests has shifted from individual citizens seeking specific information to organizations requesting spending data for services over time periods. Some requests (e.g., email copies spanning years) can strain IT resources and incur legal review costs. Board member inquired about tracking request volume and time burden; Edwards indicated no formal threshold established for concern but acknowledged potential issues if requests increased significantly or consumed substantial staff time.
Policy 414 & 415: Mandated Reporting of Child Neglect and Vulnerable Adult Abuse
Approved as Part of Policy Review (See Policy 208 Vote)
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A [Policy Discussion] · Seconded by N/A [Policy Discussion]
Executive Director of Human Resources Sonia Sailor presented two mandated reporting policies. No substantive changes; updates align with style guide. Recommendation to remove from annual review requirement because Minnesota statute does not mandate annual review. Citations retained in policy body (not moved to reference list) due to critical importance for mandated reporters. Specific reporting contact information included: Hennepin County Child Protection Services phone number and Minnesota Department of Education contact. Prior year added general language to ensure accessibility.
Policy 533: Student Wellness, Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity
Approved as Part of Policy Review (See Policy 208 Vote)
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A [Policy Discussion] · Seconded by N/A [Policy Discussion]
Director of Pupil Services and Operations presented significantly revised wellness policy. Main changes: (1) renamed from generic 'wellness' to clarify distinction from mental health/student wellness; (2) reorganized into four sections: nutrition promotion, food service, competitive foods, physical activity; (3) removed granular implementation details in favor of administrative guidance; (4) enhanced student participation in wellness committee (added Southview student representatives); (5) aligned with federal regulations requiring local education agencies to have student wellness policy. Board discussion focused on: (a) clarification that policy is 'local district wellness policy' referenced in federal code; (b) removal of triennial assessment language—board agreed simplifying language to state district will assess compliance triannually without prescribing specific assessment methods; (c) removal of appendices containing nutrition standards to allow administrative flexibility; (d) minor wording correction in Section 3A regarding 'should be avoided' language. Board member noted policy had not been reviewed since 2020 and appreciated alignment with assessment and reporting requirements.
Policy 806: Emergency Management
Approved as Part of Policy Review (See Policy 208 Vote)
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A [Policy Discussion] · Seconded by N/A [Policy Discussion]
Assistant Superintendent Nate Spinson presented emergency management policy with one substantive change: striking Section 7 (Violence Prevention) because district does not conduct active shooter drills. District follows BYST standard response protocol (lockdown, lights out, shades drawn, silence) rather than simulations involving law enforcement. Board discussion raised concern that removed language regarding observable warning signs of individuals at risk of self-harm or violence should not be lost entirely. Spinson acknowledged that such training occurs through health classes and advisories but is not currently formalized in emergency management policy. Board suggested that observable warning signs training may be more appropriately addressed in student mental health/wellness policy framework rather than emergency management policy. Agreement that social-emotional learning and mental health policy warrant broader conversation to ensure comprehensive coverage of warning sign recognition and student empowerment to report concerns.
Resolution: Renewal of Expiring Referendum Revenue
7-0 Approved (Roll Call Vote: Ann, Barry, Ben, Stapler, Ky, Man, and one additional board member all voted Aye)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Referendum Action] · Seconded by Unknown [Referendum Action]
Board voted to approve resolution authorizing renewal of operating referendum from taxes payable in 2028 to 2037. Director of Finance and Operations Merritt Woodard presented recommendation for extension providing long-term financial stability. Resolution had been reviewed by Finance and Facilities Committee (all four members unanimously supported), discussed at June 1-2 board retreat and June 9 work session, and subject of public hearing earlier in meeting. Board discussion emphasized: (1) this maintains current tax levels without increase; (2) aligns with standard practice across Minnesota school districts; (3) legislature authorized extension without requiring additional election to reduce costs; (4) similar to practices of cities and counties; (5) districts cannot add to existing levy amounts. Board acknowledged community input and emphasized fiscal responsibility while noting that extension does not require voter approval per state statute.
Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan (Fiscal Years 2027-2036)
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Facilities Plan Action] · Seconded by Unknown [Facilities Plan Action]
Board approved 10-year facilities maintenance plan required to access long-term facilities maintenance revenue. Director Woodard presented plan showing FY2027 proposed spending of $18,842,949 (approximately $2 million decrease from FY2026 ~$21 million). District maintains 1.85 million square feet of facilities. Plan structured to keep tax rate flat around 25% (down from 26% four years ago) through careful management of principal and interest payments on voter-approved and non-voter-approved debt. FY2027 includes approximately $5 million increase in approved bond payments offset by reduction in pay-as-you-go and long-term facilities maintenance bonded debt. Plan includes $3 million in abatement bonds for Cornelia and Highlands parking lot improvements, which does not significantly impact overall tax rate. Future years (4-5 years forward) show significant step-downs in debt service, providing flexibility for future boards to add facilities or improve existing ones. Woodard emphasized summer is busy period for district planning and budget development.
2025-2026 School Board Goals
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Board Goals Action] · Seconded by Unknown [Board Goals Action]
Board approved four annual goals for 2025-26 school year: (1) Hiring and onboarding new superintendent in 2025-26 school year; (2) Strengthening district stability and sustainability while making measurable progress towards strategic plan goals and student success indicators; (3) Maintaining balanced budget and fiscal integrity while upholding district quality and strategic priorities; (4) Enhancing school board governance effectiveness through continuous development and evaluation. Goals had been discussed at June 1-2 board retreat and June 9 meeting with opportunity for changes; no further modifications made before action vote.
2025-2026 Superintendent Goals
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Superintendent Goals Action] · Seconded by Unknown [Superintendent Goals Action]
Board approved Dr. Bitman's superintendent goals aligned with strategic plan, board priorities, and Minnesota School Board Association/Minnesota Association of School Administrator Standards. Goals had been reviewed at June 1-2 retreat and June 9 meeting. Board Chair Gabler emphasized that superintendent's Goal #4 (Ensuring Seamless Leadership Transition) directly supports board's #1 priority, leveraging Dr. Bitman's prior experience recruiting and hiring superintendents for other districts. Board noted this is most important decision district will make in coming years and emphasized collaboration between board and superintendent on transition planning.
Policy 208: Policy Review Schedule (Rapid Review)
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Policy 208 Action] · Seconded by Unknown [Policy 208 Action]
Board approved Policy 208 via rapid review process. Only changes: (1) updated future policy review dates; (2) removed Policies 414/415 from annual review requirement per Minnesota statute (mandated reporting policies not required to be reviewed annually). No substantive policy changes.
Policies 522, 530, and 532: Title IX and Student Conduct (Rapid Review)
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Policies 522/530/532 Action] · Seconded by Unknown [Policies 522/530/532 Action]
Board approved three policies via rapid review: Policy 522 (Title IX Sex Discrimination Grievance Procedure and Process), Policy 530, and Policy 532. No changes from prior month; approved without substantive discussion.
Superintendent Update
No Vote Required
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A [Informational] · Seconded by N/A [Informational]
Dr. Bitman provided updates on summer activities and district initiatives: (1) ESY (Extended School Year) and summer community education programs running successfully with significant staff effort; (2) Attended annual metro superintendent gathering with mayors; Nate Swenson and Paul Pzel participated in presentations showcasing Edina's work; Patrick (superintendent-in-training) participated to support superintendent licensing completion; (3) Met with parent leadership groups to plan for upcoming year; (4) Worked with Board Chair Gabler and Vice Chair Alenberg on draft board schedule and meeting plan for 2025-26 (multiple meetings, several hours of work); (5) Represented school board in Edina parade with Director Birdman; parade attendance triple previous years with thousands of children; high school student grabbed candy and threw remainder back to board members; described as hot day with great community engagement and laughter.
Meeting Adjournment
Approved Unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Adjournment] · Seconded by Unknown [Adjournment]
Standard procedural adjournment of July 14, 2025 school board meeting.