Contact: Ric Dressen
Superintendent
952-848-4000

superintendent@edina.k12.mn.us

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Edina Public Schools to host a Budget Dialogue  

Edina, Minn., April 06, 2009 – Edina Public Schools (EPS) is holding a Community Budget Dialogue on April 16 from 7- 9 p.m. in the Edina Community Center/Normandale Auditorium. The dialogue is open to community and staff members. During the meeting, the District will share its proposal to address the potential $1.75 - $2.6 million budget shortfall facing the 2009-2010 school year.

Through the Budget Dialogue, the District will both inform the public and solicit input. The first portion of the evening will be dedicated to outlining the breadth of the problem and explaining the proposed solutions. A community discussion will follow.

The District is using a tiered approach to organize its budget recommendations. The first tier accounts for $1 million and involves reductions or modifications to administrative and support service functions. If the deficit expands beyond the first tier, the District will employ the second tier recommendations, which identifies an additional $1 million. These recommendations include, among other items, increasing class size by one student in grades six through 12 and modifications to educational program and services. It is not yet known how severe the deficit will be.

The community has played a pivotal role in the District’s budget management process. EPS developed a 48-person Budget Advisory Team, comprised of staff, parents, and community members. The team met three times and helped the District refine its reduction proposals. “The advisory team has been essential to our District’s ability to maximize available resources,” said Superintendent Ric Dressen.

The administration will bring proposal reduction recommendations to the School Board on May 18, 2009.

The ECC/Normandale Auditorium is located in the Edina Community Center at 5701 Normdandale Road, Edina, MN 55424. Attendees can enter door 10 located at the south end of the building.

More information about the budget is available at: http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/district/budget.html

About Edina Public Schools:
Edina Public Schools is comprised of six elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-9) and one senior high (10-12). Total enrollment is approximately 7,800 students. The District serves Edina, a first-tier Minneapolis suburb comprised of approximately 47,450 people.

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