Edina School Board Approves Policies, Reviews Summer Construction
The Edina Public Schools Board approved five policies and received updates on extensive summer construction projects during its regular meeting Monday evening.
The board approved policies 113, 414, 415, 533, and 806 without discussion, as the measures had been reviewed at the previous month's meeting. Policy Chair Alenberg noted no changes had been made since the July discussion.
Director of Finance and Operations Mert Woodard presented updates on more than 16 construction projects across the district, funded through the long-term facilities maintenance revenue plan. The largest project continues at Edina High School, where a three-year, $25 million mechanical upgrade is replacing steam heating systems with hot water systems and updating air handling units. The project also includes renovations to the Fick Auditorium with new flooring, electrical systems, lighting and sound equipment.
At Cornelia Elementary, crews are conducting exterior brick tuckpointing and renovating restrooms that date to the building's 1959 construction. The project includes four student restrooms, three staff restrooms and Americans with Disabilities Act improvements. New sinks for student restrooms are delayed and will be installed after school begins.
Other major projects include tennis court rehabilitation at the Edina Community Center, turf repairs at Normandale Elementary, and electrical infrastructure installation at the transportation center to support two new electric buses expected to arrive in December or January. The board also welcomed four new administrators and unveiled the renamed Early Learning and Family Center, formerly the Early Learning Center.
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Votes (7)
Agenda Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Opening] · Seconded by Unknown [Opening]
Chair Gabler called for motion to approve the agenda. Motion was made and seconded without discussion.
Introduction of New Administrative Staff
Dissent: None
Assistant Superintendent Nate Swinson introduced four new administrators: Lisa Barnhold (Countryside Elementary Principal, previously principal in another district), Aaron Finn (Countryside Elementary Administrative Dean, previously MTSS coordinator), Sarah Majoro (South View Middle School Administrative Dean, previously instructional coach and math teacher), and William Britt (Edina High School Assistant Principal, previously assistant principal in Andover). Swinson expressed gratitude for their selection of EPS.
Early Learning and Family Center Name Restoration and Program Expansion
Dissent: None
Dr. Ann Marie Leland (Director of Community Education and Strategic Partnerships), Kim Eley (Assistant Director of Early Learning Center), and Laura Pongoth (Early Learning Center Manager) presented the restoration of the 'Family Center' name to honor the legacy program while expanding services. The center serves over 500 families annually through developmental screenings. New comprehensive childcare programming will be offered from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. starting summer 2025. The presentation emphasized the center's role as a community hub supporting whole-family well-being and child development.
Summer 2024 Construction Projects Update
Dissent: None
Mert Woodard, Director of Finance and Operations, presented a comprehensive overview of 16+ construction projects across the district. Major projects include: (1) Edina High School $25 million three-year mechanical upgrade replacing steam-based heating with hot water system and replacing air handling units; (2) Fick Auditorium renovation including flooring, electrical, lighting, and sound system upgrades; (3) Restroom renovations at Edina High School converting gang restrooms to individual stalls; (4) Edina Community Center tennis court rehabilitation and relocation; (5) Cornelia Elementary tuckpointing and comprehensive restroom renovation (original to 1959 building); (6) Normandale Elementary artificial turf repair; (7) Creek Valley Elementary loading dock repair and repaving; (8) Valley View LED lighting replacement and restroom repairs; (9) Transportation Center electrical infrastructure for two new electric buses (funded by grants). Woodard emphasized all projects are on schedule and on budget, and thanked the buildings and grounds team for their work under difficult circumstances.
Policy Approvals (Policies 113, 414, 415, 533, and 806)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Action Items] · Seconded by Unknown [Action Items]
Policy Chair Alenberg reported that the five policies were discussed at the July board meeting with no updates or revisions since that discussion. No board members raised questions. The board proceeded directly to voting.
Superintendent Back-to-School Updates and Recognition
Dissent: None
Superintendent Dr. Bitman provided updates on district preparation for the upcoming school year, highlighting work by cabinet members and administrators on new teacher training, IEP coordination, and staff onboarding. Recognition was given to the varsity boys ultimate frisbee team for winning the state competition and placing second at nationals. Dr. Bitman emphasized the importance of acknowledging year-round staff who do not receive summer breaks and expressed gratitude for the work of all cabinet members.
Move to Closed Session for Labor Negotiations
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Closed Session] · Seconded by Unknown [Closed Session]
Chair Gabler announced the board's intention to move into closed session pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.03 to discuss strategy for labor negotiations with teacher bargaining units. The board cited authorization under Minnesota Statutes Sections 179A.01 to 179A.25 for discussing negotiation strategies and labor negotiation proposals.
Notable Quotes (15)
I am thrilled to be able to introduce uh new leadership here for Edana Public Schools.
My gratitude to you all for joining EPS. We're so glad you chose us. Welcome.
Tonight we're here to share something truly significant. not just a name change, but the restoration of a legacy that has touched countless families in our community.
The name change acknowledges the multitude of programs we offer throughout our center. Our developmental screenings alone serve over 500 families each year, and for many, this is their very first experience with Edina Public Schools when their child is between three and four years old. That first impression matters and the family center signals immediately that we are here for the entire family system.
Supporting the whole family means adapting to their realities. So, that is why we're excited to announce that we're gearing up to offer comprehensive childcare programming next summer from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Uh, this wraparound care recognizes that when families have the support that they need, children really thrive.
By strengthening our identity as a welcoming community hub, we're saying that every family belongs here and every child's potential deserves to be nurtured.
Summer is arguably the the busiest time of the year for our buildings and grounds team. Not only are they doing their regular cleaning work and maintaining our facilities in an excellent state of repair, we're also busy managing more than 16 different construction projects throughout the district.
The main aim of that project is to upgrade our mechanical system so that we're using um warm or hot water to heat the facility rather than um an older system which relied upon very hot steam coming out of our system. So, it's going to be safer for our staff and longterm, it's going to be a more reliable um and efficient system.
As the district proceeds in its long-term facilities maintenance planning in spaces where it makes sense, particularly at the secondary level, we think that replacing those gang restrooms with individual bathroom stall spaces um is probably more appropriate.
That facility was constructed in 1959, I believe, and the restrooms for the most part are original to the building. So, you can imagine um what a nice upgrade that'll be for that school community.
Everything appears to be going on plan, on budget. Um, and so we're we're quite grateful for that.
I often talk about the tireless hours that everybody's spending to make sure that the magic happens. And that includes our district office staff uh to my left here as well. So just grateful for the work that's happening, the intricacies and efforts that go into things like being prepared for new teacher training or being making sure that our students with IEPs have what they need or thinking about our family center and the work that happens around each and every person on our cabinet.
We're starting to see more and more people come back to the district. Not all of our employees are staffed year round, so we're excited. that brings an extra piece of energy and flavor, a rejuvenation, but we also recognize there are lots of folks that never get that summer break.
Just a shout out to our varsity boys ultimate frisbee team. Um we have one of the biggest ultimate frisbee teams in the country. It's amazing. And um they won state again and placed second at nationals again. So great job.
Pursuant to Minnesota statutes section 13D.03, the board is authorized to vote to move into close session to consider strategy for labor negotiations, including negotiation strategies or development or discussion and review of labor negotiation proposals conducted pursuant to sections 179A.01 to 179A.25.
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
Policy approved by board on August 11, 2024; previously discussed at July board meeting
Policy approved by board on August 11, 2024; previously discussed at July board meeting
Policy approved by board on August 11, 2024; previously discussed at July board meeting
Policy approved by board on August 11, 2024; previously discussed at July board meeting
Policy approved by board on August 11, 2024; previously discussed at July board meeting
Plan approved at previous meeting; funds $25 million mechanical upgrade project at Edina High School and other district construction projects
Statute authorizing closed session for labor negotiation strategy discussion
Labor negotiation statutes referenced for closed session authorization
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Other Topics from This Document
Agenda Approval
Introduction of New Staff Members
Early Learning and Family Center Name Restoration
Summer 2024 Construction Projects Update
Policy Approvals
Superintendent Back-to-School Updates
Closed Session on Labor Negotiations
Also from this meeting
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