Edina
CURRENT
Oct. 13, 2011 • V41.41
minnlocal.com
In the Community, With the Community, For the Community
Edina Hornets come up short. Page 29
Jason Berger withdraws from Edina School Board race
Above, the original Calvin Christian building, now the school’s kindergarten room was built in 1961 for just over $40,000. (Submitted photo) At left, kindergartners work diligently Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Calvin Christian School in Edina. Their classroom is the original school building, which opened in 1961 and has since undergone several expansions. (Photo by Katie Mintz – Sun Newspapers)
Candidate leaves race after alleged Internet writings called out by blogger BY KATIE MINTZ – SUN NEWSPAPERS Edina School Board candidate Jason Berger has withdrawn from the election following recent attention to his alleged online writings. “As of 4 p.m. today, I have formally withdrawn from the race in order to spend the remaining time defending my reputation to the many people who have been kind enough to support me,” Berger said in an email Monday, Oct. 10. Candidates had until Aug. 18, to withdraw their name from the Tuesday, Nov. 8, ballot. Because he did not make the deadline, his name will still appear on the ballot, said the district’s Director of Business Services Margo Nash. Nash said because he did not withdraw before the official deadline, Berger can still accept the position if one of the top three vote-getters. If he wins and declines the position, the school board must appoint a person to fill the vacancy until the district’s next election cycle in 2013. Berger’s Internet activity was recently called into question on local news website Edina Patch (edina.patch.com) by blogger and political operative Dick Novack. Novack of Edina, who blogs in Patch’s Local Voices section, said he connected what he called troubling content on several websites to Berger, one of four candidates for three seats on the BERGER: TO PAGE 14
Calvin Christian celebrates 50 years in Edina Anniversary events planned Saturday, Oct. 15, at Edina, Fridley and Blaine campuses BY KATIE MINTZ – SUN NEWSPAPERS Calvin Christian School began with one teacher, 18 students and a single classroom 50 years ago in Edina. Today close to 500 elementary, mid-
BY KATIE MINTZ – SUN NEWSPAPERS For the first time since 2007, Edina Public Schools is making adequate yearly progress. Results released Friday, Sept. 30,
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dle and high school students attend class at three Twin Cities campuses. “It’s been quite a journey and an exciting one,” said Calvin Christian School Supt. Steve Groen. “We look forward to what the Lord has in his
Edina makes AYP in 2011:
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District meets No Child Left Behind standard after missing mark for three years
by the Minnesota Department of Education show Edina students met federal No Child Left Behind achievement standards in math and reading at all schools in 2011. Director of Teaching and
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plans for the next 50 years.” But first the school will celebrate its 50th anniversary Saturday, Oct. 15. Events are planned at the Edina,
Learning Jenni Norlin-Weaver said a focus on intervention and personalized education helped students make gains across the district. She credited AYP: TO PAGE 22
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