Parents, staff urge pause to pilot that would split Southview Unified special‑education facilitator

More than a dozen parents, students and special‑education staff asked the Edina Public Schools Board of Education on Monday night to pause a district pilot that would split a full‑time special‑education facilitator between Southview and Valley View schools.

The speakers said the plan would cut key staff time at Southview, threaten the school’s nationally recognized Unified program and increase legal and safety risk for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). During the public comment period, the board did not answer questions; by board policy, public comments will be referred to the superintendent for follow up.

Why it matters: Southview’s Unified program, speakers said, is regarded statewide and nationally for inclusion and student outcomes. Community members warned that cutting facilitation at Southview to a half‑time role would increase caseloads, reduce crisis response capacity and jeopardize program funding tied to national recognitions and grants.

Marie Johnson, a Southview parent, told the board: “The…