Edina’s nationally recognized Unified program at South View Middle School is facing a critical challenge. A new pilot initiative, which will reallocate crucial special education resources away from the middle schools to the Edina Early Learning Center will result in the reduction of South View's incredible and dedicated facilitator, Whitney Brauchla, from a full-time role at South View, to half-time at South View and half-time at Valley View.

South View’s Unified/SPED program is the only three-time National Special Olympics Unified Champion School in Minnesota and has won numerous honors, including the 2024 City of Edina’s Tom Oye Human Rights Award.  It has been featured on local news and is the gold standard for inclusion across the state.  Without full-time leadership, this incredible program will be stretched beyond its limits, putting staff retention and student success at risk.

This decision not only undermines the integrity and success South View’s program has built over the years, but it also places unnecessary emotional strain on both students and staff.  A rushed, one‑year pilot without community input risks unintended costs: due‑process hearings, banner forfeiture, staff turnover, and lost instructional minutes across two middle schools.  Further, this decision was made unilaterally – without transparency or collaboration with key stakeholders like parents, staff, the Special Education Advisory Council, or the Edina School Board.

While we support Edina’s goal of providing equitable resources for special education across the district, it should not be done at the expense of a nationally recognized program.  We urge the district to press pause on this pilot program until a collaborative and data-backed analysis of the real needs can be established.

Please support the students, staff, and community of South View Middle School by signing this petition to keep Unified resources intact. Your signature can help sustain the quality of education and support Edina Unified deserves.