Contact:

Ric Dressen
Superintendent  
Phone: 952-848-4000
superintendent@edina.k12.mn.us

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Edina Public Schools Receives an A+ From the Community

Edina, Minn., Oct. 22, 2008 – According to a recent survey, 95 percent of Edina residents rank Edina Public Schools (EPS) as excellent or good. This is a 9 percent increase from a similar survey conducted in 2007. Both surveys were administered by Minnesota-based research firm Decision Resources, Ltd.

The most recent survey was conducted in August of 2008 in an effort to measure community perception of the District. The survey covered a broad range of topics related to the Edina schools including quality of education, fiscal management, employee performance, open enrollment, communication and community education.

William Morris, Ph.D., co-owner of Decision Resources, prepared the analysis of the survey and reported that EPS’ 95 percent approval rating was the highest he had seen in his 22 years of conducting surveys. “You have a highly educated constituency and they understand and value Edina Public Schools,” said Morris at the Oct. 20 School Board meeting. “The brand of ‘defining excellence’ is rock solid.” Moreover, in several areas of the survey, Edina’s results were the most positive in the Minneapolis metro and greater Minnesota. Noteworthy excerpts include:

• When asked about Edina’s fiscal management, 67 percent of survey participants indicated that Edina spends its dollars effectively and efficiently. This number is 27 percent higher than the average for schools in the Minneapolis metro. Furthermore, of the remaining 33 percent, 23 percent were unsure and only 8 percent were unsatisfied.
  
• When asked about job performance, 71 percent of survey participants rated the District administration in the highest possible category. This number is also the highest in the Minneapolis metro. Teachers were given a 91 percent positive ranking.
  
• The topic of open enrollment was also surveyed and 70 percent of residents stated that they were somewhat to very familiar with open enrollment. This is 20 percent above the Minneapolis metro norm. Of those familiar with open enrollment, 40 percent think it as a positive thing and 29 percent think it is a negative thing.
  
• Of the survey participants who use Edina’s community education programs, 99 percent reported that they were very satisfied with the program and 1 percent were unsure. This approval rating is the highest in the state.

“These are outstanding numbers that our entire community should celebrate,” said EPS Superintendent Ric Dressen. “What a wonderful partnership and success story.”

The full report is available here.

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