Cella Feels 'Responsibility to Contribute' to Edina Schools

Editor's Note: With , we spoke with each candidate to discuss why they want to be a part of the board, what issues they think need addressing and what challenges they expect to face. Stay tuned for individual Q&As with all three candidates before the Nov. 8 election.

As the lone incumbent running for the Edina school board, Cathy Cella says she will have no problem "(hitting) the ground running." She's been involved with the school district for 23 years now, having graduated from herself.

"I really believe that providing an excellent education to our students is the most important thing we can do as a community," Cella said.

Cella recently spoke with Patch about this year's campaign, issues facing the district and her reason for seeking re-election.

Edina Patch: Tell us a little about yourself to begin with. Where are you from originally and how did you come to live in Edina?

Cathy Cella: I grew up in Edina. My family moved just over the border from St. Louis Park when I was starting 6th grade. I graduated from the old Edina High School. I attended college at St. Olaf and then went to the University of Minnesota for law school. I moved back to Edina when my oldest was nearing school age, which was 25 years ago. This is the 23rd consecutive year we've had a child in the Edina school system.

Patch: What do you do for a living? Any hobbies or interests?

CC: I practiced law for more than 20 years, with experience in litigation, employment, insurance and mediation. I retired after the birth of my fourth child. Since then, I've spent time on nonprofit boards and being active in the community.

Patch: Why did you decide to run for re-election?

CC: It's the same answer now as it was four years ago. I really believe that providing an excellent education to our students is the most important thing we can do as a community. I have the time and passion to work to continue to see that Edina does just that. I just strongly believe if you're part of a community or organization, you have a responsibility to contribute in any way you can.

Patch: How has campaign gone so far? How has this one differed from four years ago?

CC: It's been a little more unusual with people being —much more unusual than in the past. Campaigns run largely the same. This time I had to do a website and a Facebook page. As someone who started high school when we used slide rules, not calculators, that was a challenge. It was actually kind of fun, though.

Patch: What issues are of concern for you within the district?

CC: One is really communications—communicating to staff, parents and the community. As the media of communication change, we really need to be careful we're reaching people in the ways they need or want to be reached. We need to keep looking at that and evaluating that. If people are saying email or Facebook is how they want to get their information, then that's the way we should go.

I think probably the number one thing that keeps school board members awake at night is finances. We really need to rethink our state funding formula. Certainly at the local level we have the two levy questions on the ballot—the renewal of our operating levy and the renewal and increase of our technology levy. Edina stands to lose $4 million per year starting in 2012 if those are not approved.

Another issue would be enrollment trends. Being able to accurately predict the number of students each year coming into our buildings has been a challenge. Given the recent fluctuations in the economy, our recent predictions haven't been as accurate as they'd previously been. So we're working on that.

Patch: What is the biggest challenge you think the district will have to deal with in the next four years?

CC: The big issue I'm looking at most immediately is our building and space issue. We're nearing functional capacity in some of our buildings. Just as technology changes the way our teachers teach, it also changes the way we use spaces. We've had a very detailed review of our buildings, we're going to be sharing some of the findings with the public very soon.

Patch: Why should Edina residents vote for you? What would you bring to the school board?

CC: I think as the only incumbent running, I bring four years of hands-on involvement in school issues. I don't have to get up to speed, I'll hit the ground running. I've been actively involved with the schools for 23 years, I really have a depth and breadth of knowledge. I'm able to read and analyze the volume of materials we have to deal with. I have the ability to work collaboratively with groups with divergent interests. The bottom line is I care very deeply about Edina schools and students.

Patch: What's one interesting fact most people don't know about you?

CC: I actually really enjoy working with kids. If I hadn't been a lawyer I might've been a teacher. I especially like middle school kids. I really enjoy them because they're so eager to explore all of the possibilities around them. At our church, for example, I've taught 8th and 9th grade confirmation and pre-confirmation for 28 years. I've also helped coach the mock trial team.

Patch: Is there anything else you would like to add?

CC: I'd encourage people to vote on Nov. 8. People should vote for the three active candidates and vote "yes" for both levies.