Voters Pass Referendums in Landslides, Elect Remaining School Board Candidates

Edina voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a pair of referendums aimed at maintaining academic offerings and increasing technology in the school district.

"It's a good day for the future of the Edina Public Schools and a really good day for kids," said Superintendent Ric Dressen.

Two referendums were on the Nov. 8 ballot: one a $3 million renewal of the district's existing property tax levy, the other a $4.5 million renewal and increase to be used soley for technology. Voters passed the renewal levy by a landslide margin of approximately 62 percent—81 percent in favor, 19 percent against—and approved the technology levy by close to 44 percent—72 percent in favor, 28 percent against—according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State's website. Both levies were set to expire in 2012.

While the $3 million levy renewal brings negligible changes for taxpayers, the technology levy represents a significant increase over the current levy. Edina currently collects approximately $122 per student, for a total of $1 million annually. The new levy puts that amount closer to $549 per pupil. The total tax impact of the two levies on a median-priced home of $400,000 is estimated to be $178 annually.

Voters also elected the only three remaining candidates to three open seats on Edina's Board of Education.  garnered 30 percent of the vote,  took 28 percent and  received 25 percent.

Cella, the lone incumbent on ballots, said Tuesday evening she was excited to be re-elected and "ready to roll up my sleeves and get back to work."

"There are things I'm looking forward to accomplishing and issues that need solving," she said. "It's good knowing I have four more years to keep working on those issues."

Cella said she was pleasantly surprised at the margin by which both levies passed, admitting she was not sure if the technology levy would receive the same support as the operating levy.

"It really shows that people heard the message and truly understood what we're trying to do," Cella said.

In an effort to avoid hitting refreshing his Internet browser several thousand times waiting for results to come in, Wallen-Friedman said he and his daughter played ping-pong in their downstairs basement.

"I figured I'd spend some quality time with her and check later," he said.

When he came back upstairs and saw the initial results, he said it was a welcome relief to see that he had been elected and both referendums had passed.

"I'm pleased to get the opportunity to serve on the school board and I'm thankful for the people who put in a ton of work to help me get here," Wallen-Friedman said.

Patzloff said she was honored to have been elected by voters who "felt I was qualified enough to be a part of the school board."

"It's nice to have the election part done," she said. "Now I'm looking forward to doing some work."

Each candidate will serve a four-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2012.

Surprisingly, withdrawn candidates and both received a significant number of votes themselves, with Berger finishing with 9 percent of the vote and Rider 7 percent. Voters were able to select three candidates.

The results of the election are unofficial until certified by the School Board. That certification will take place during a special meeting on Nov. 17, 2011.

See a detailed breakdown of how Edina voters cast their ballots .