City, School District Discuss Potential Cooperative Efforts

Ideally, cooperative efforts make the participants pleased insofar as getting tasks accomplished as well as the nice, warm feeling that naturally occurs when people work together to complete those tasks.

There was a lot of that at a meeting late Monday evening at the Edina Community Center. All of the current Edina City Council members and all of the Edina School Board members—along with the chief executives of both groups—were present.

No doubt, there were nice, warm feelings. However, there was also the stark realization that combining efforts may be a tactic of necessity given the financial doldrums occurring at the State of Minnesota.

Of the two, the school district probably faces the most daunting tasks since roughly 70 percent of its revenues traditionally come from the state.

“We are looking at a shortfall of just over $9 million from the state in the next two school years starting in 2011-2012,” said Edina Superintendent Ric Dressen.

He added the announcement on Monday that the overall state budget deficit having been revised down from $6.2 billion to $5 billion “probably won’t have much impact on us.”

Both Dressen and City Manager Scott Neal gave overviews of their respective areas of responsibility, emphasizing that while financial challenges are serious, there is no danger of either the city or the school district being sucked into some black hole.

Neal pointed out that several major development projects, including the Waters senior housing project off Tracy Avenue and the Crosstown, the expansion of the Southdale YMCA and the soon-to-be Whole Foods at Centennial Lakes on France Avenue.

Dressen reminded everyone that the Edina Schools continue to be one of the most highly-acclaimed districts in the country and has a 92 percent overall approval rating from parents and residents.

Because of open enrollment, there has been a slight increase in overall student population (two percent this years compared to last) and the district has been forced to temporarily close any non-resident enrollment in high growth schools such as Concord Elementary and Southview Middle School.

Both Neal and Dressen talked about current partnership arrangements such as shared facilities, management of emergency and safety issues and joint technology access.

Edina Mayor Jim Hovland suggested that both entities increase the efforts to become familiar with the other’s situation and issues, adding, “the city could help in stating the school district’s needs when meeting with state legislators.”

Council member Josh Sprague recommended a permanent joint committee of representatives of the city and the district meet regularly to work on details of how to combine efforts and resources, an idea that resonated with School Board Chair Randy Meyer who added it should meet at least twice a year, if not quarterly.

Following the presentations and open comments, the two bodies broke down into small discussion groups. The city and district hope to have at least a preliminary plan on what they want to do crafted by the end of this month.