April 24, 2009
Robbie Latta staff writer Two to three years from now, a somewhat controversial transportation alternative may be available to Edinans. If current plans become realities, the proposed Nine Mile Creek pedestrian and bike trail will allow residents to zip across town without burning a single gallon of gas. According to a 2006 needs assessment survey, many residents desire a non-motorized transportation option, and more would simply like a reason to get off the couch. “The overwhelming majority of Edina residents desire biking and walking trails for exercise, fitness and for enjoying the outdoors and nature,” said Edina Park and Recreation Department director, John Keprios. The proposed route, possibly to be started before the end of 2009, would continue the work-in-progress Hopkins segment, cross Highway 169, and pass by Walnut Ridge Park, Creek Valley Elementary School, and even the lower fields at EHS. A trail that passes by EHS “could help alleviate congestion for drop-offs and parking at the campus if more people can bike and walk to school,” said Kirk Johnson, the chair of the Bike Edina Task Force. Alex Dirr, a sophomore at EHS already bikes to school from his home in Minneapolis, but a trail that alleviates congestion “would make it way easier and safer,” he said. In addition, the trail would provide sports teams a safe area for running, biking, and roller skiing. “It is also good for natural environment studies because staff and students have better access to and from the campus to a variety of habitats,” said Johnson.
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Issue 8
When leaving EHS, the trail would either snake through the neighborhood to the east or follow Antrim Road and W. 70th Street. At Metro Blvd., the trail would cross over Highway 100 and pass Fred Richards Golf Course. After a sharp left turn, a bridge over France Avenue would allow access to Centennial Lakes Park, Galleria Shopping Center, or Southdale. Finally, after crossing into Richfield, the route would continue to either Lake Nokomis to the North, or the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge to the south. Despite the strong desire for another mode of transportation in Edina, many residents, especially those who live near the proposed route, remain wary. Many parts of the path run near private property, raising concerns about traffic, noise, and crime. Patricia Hasselstrom, a longtime resident of Edina, worries that a bike and pedestrian trail would disrupt wildlife and be ascetically unappealing. “[The proposed route] is literally in my back yard, which would be an issue,” said Hasselstrom. Another issue in the construction of such a trail is cost. Expenses could include the building of bridges over major Highways 62 and 100, a tunnel under Tracy Avenue, and re-alignment of roads and sidewalks. Also on the bill is the need to rearrange Nine Mile Creek to make its banks more accommodating to a trail. These expenses do not include the cost of constructing the trail itself. As of now, the cost of a bike and pedestrian trail is yet to be determined. It is likely that funding would come from Three Rivers Park District, the authority that is overseeing the construction of the Hopkins segment of the bike and pedestrian trail. The district also manages 27,000 acres of parks and trails in the Metropolitan area. Although these hurdles seem costly, the Three Rivers Park District expects that around 500,000 people would use the trail annually, evidence that Edinans see a new transportation option as a worthwhile investment.
Doc Locklear considers costs of cuts Michael Fetterman staff writer
in administrative services in the up coming school year, an elimination of the district copy center, and a reduction in paraprofessionals, custodians, and various extra duties
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Many of us are finding it difficult to find summer jobs, When the source of our funding has decreased and we have all grown familiar with our parents’ attempts to spend less money. One way or another, virtually all of us to such a degree, we are of course going to feel have felt the effects of the current economic situation. As the crisis touches our school system, we will begin to feel some implications. But at the end of the day, our its effects in yet another way – budget reductions for the upcoming school year. goal is to maintain excellence and ensure equity According to the Edina Public Schools Superintendent, Ric Dressen, state funding (which makes up about in Edina High School- Dr. Locklear 70% of the district budget) may decrease as much as $1.25 million to $2.6 million. that teachers have been paid for. In addition, students can “When the source of our funding has decreased to such a expect to see an increase in class sizes. degree, we are of course going to feel some implications,” said The process through which these proposed cuts are Principal Doctor Locklear. “But at the end of the day, our goal is to determined has been thoughtful and deliberate. “We want maintain excellence and ensure equity in Edina High School.” to make sure that we include as many stakeholders as we Dressen said that the school district will attempt to make possibly can in this process,” said Locklear. cuts in a way that minimizes the impact on student learnFirst, ideas have been discussed and formulated by a Budget ing. Students and staff at EHS are likely to see a reduction Reduction, Reallocation, and Revenue Generation task force
(BRRRG) consisting of about forty-eight parents, teachers, and community members. Ideas discussed within the BRRRG came from suggestions offered by community members and parents through the school’s website, as well as from the school staff, via the staff meetings. These ideas were then further discussed by a Lead Team, consisting of the district administration, a representative from secondary schools, and a representative from the elementary schools. Finally, ideas were framed as recommendations and passed to the school board who will finalize the decisions. According to Dressen, the proposed changes will be approved by the school board in April; however, the budget reductions cannot be finalized until the state’s budget allocations have been passed by the state legislature. For this reason, the cuts will likely see adjustments in August and even October. The recession has affected us all, and our school is no exception. “Of course, I don’t want to take anything out of this school; I want to keep adding to it,” said Locklear. “But we’re faced with the reality that we have to do more with less.” And in the coming years, we will be required to do exactly that.