Edina School Board Candidates Answer To Students At Forum: Watch

EDINA, MN — Five candidates seeking a seat on the Edina Public Schools board fielded questions from students Monday night at a forum co-hosted by the Edina High School speech and debate team.

Erica Allenburg, Dan Arom, Michael Birdman, Karen Gabler and Owen Michaelson responded to student-submitted questions on a wide array of topics, including critical race theory, the district’s universal-masking and COVID-19 policies, mental health concerns, bus-driver shortages, and environmental sustainability.

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Nicole Schnell did not participate in the student-led forum Monday night. The six candidates are seeking four seats on the Independent School District 273 board. Allenburg and Michaelson and incumbents.

Izzy Wagener, an Edina High senior who helped organize and moderate the forum, said the event was meant to “bring students’ perspectives to the forefront” of the campaign.

“Although the vast majority of students will be unable to vote in the upcoming elections, students’ lives will be directly impacted by school board elections,” Wagener said.

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Students also asked candidates Monday about representation of the LGBTQ community in Edina Public Schools’ curriculum, a potential COVID-19 vaccination mandate, vaping, dress codes, and students’ voice in the board’s decision-making process.

The Edina High School speech and debate team co-hosted the candidates forum with the League of Women Voters of Edina. Team captain and senior Ananth Veluvali moderated the forum with Wagener.

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Edina residents can vote early in person at Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St. Residents do not need a reason to vote early.

Early voting is available at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday; from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.

Mail-in ballots will not count if they are received after Election Day.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Minnesota has same-day voter registration, which means you can register to vote at your polling place on Election Day.

Click here for more information and a list of polling locations for the Nov. 2 municipal election.