The meeting kicked off with the introduction of Dr. Daniel Bitman as the interim superintendent, who has been in the role for three weeks. Dr. Bitman is set to lead the district throughout the current school year and into the 2025-2026 academic year. His leadership plan focuses on establishing trust, collaboration, and engagement within the Edina community. Dr. Bitman emphasized the importance of community involvement, school visits, and one-on-one meetings with personnel to gather feedback and align initiatives with the district’s mission of supporting every student. The transition plan is structured into three phases, beginning with immediate community engagement efforts, followed by enhanced communication and operational efficiency, and culminating in a comprehensive evaluation of initiatives. The board acknowledged the importance of transparent communication and maintaining community trust throughout this transition period.

The board then turned its attention to the “Excellence in Action” segment, featuring the new tradition of “Be a Hornet Day,” spearheaded by the Edina Education Fund. The event, which took place on May 2nd, successfully raised over $12,000 and generated significant social media engagement. The initiative aimed to connect the Edina community and promote pride in the school system, while also encouraging alumni involvement and financial contributions to support educational programs.

Next, the Edina Give and Go initiative was highlighted, with a focus on its mission to create an equitable and connected community. The program has provided over $1.6 million in scholarships to nearly 3,000 students over the past eleven years, enabling them to access enrichment opportunities in arts, athletics, and academics. Testimonials from families illustrated the transformative impact of the program, with students thriving in extracurricular activities they would otherwise be unable to participate in due to financial constraints. The board emphasized the importance of sustaining funding for Edina Give and Go and exploring additional support opportunities, particularly for early learners.

The meeting also covered policy changes, particularly around student attendance, tardiness, and alternative education services. Proposed revisions to the attendance policy aimed to align more closely with Department of Education expectations, providing clearer guidelines for educators and creating systematic approaches to managing tardiness across secondary sites. Concerns about whether the policy would support staff in addressing chronic tardiness were discussed, emphasizing the need for consistent interventions. Additionally, changes to Policy 529 focused on staff notification of student violence, narrowing its scope to incidents involving staff members. This raised questions about the adequacy of notifications regarding student-on-student violence, highlighting ongoing concerns about staff safety.

In curriculum matters, the board approved the K12 social studies curriculum adoption, with assurances that the resources align with both existing and upcoming standards. The board acknowledged the dedication of teachers involved in the adoption committees and the importance of supporting educators as they implement the new curriculum. Concerns about potential overload on teachers due to concurrent curriculum adoptions were addressed, with assurances of training and support for early implementers.

The meeting concluded with updates on the district’s financial program, which received a certificate of excellence, and the introduction of new artwork in the boardroom. Superintendent Dr. Bitman expressed gratitude for the hard work of students, families, and staff, noting the upcoming graduation ceremonies as a celebration of the students’ achievements. The board acknowledged the importance of advocating for educational funding mechanisms at the legislative level, encouraging members to engage with legislators in support of public education initiatives.