Eden Prairie

Two new principals to join district this fall

Nancy Benz has been hired as the associate principal at Cedar Ridge Elementary in the Eden Prairie district. She most recently had been principal at an elementary school for Westonka Public Schools, a position she held for seven years.

In that role, Benz helped implement a new curriculum, provided ongoing professional development opportunities and worked to implement the Westonka District Strategic Plan.

Her school was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2012 and a Star Tribune Top Workplace in 2010.

Before that, Benz was an instructional leader, district mathematics coordinator and elementary classroom teacher for Robbinsdale Area Schools, where she worked for 13 years.

Tom Walters has been hired as the associate principal at Eden Lake Elementary School in the district. Walters has five years of experience as lead teacher/assistant principal, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) coach, teacher and service-learning coordinator for Eastern Carver County Schools.

In those positions, Walters developed a STEM lab, codesigned a STEM-based curriculum, managed standardized testing, and created two professional development communities around STEM and personalized learning.

Edina

Members sought for facilities task force

Edina Public Schools is accepting applications for its Next-Generation Facility Advisories Task Force.

The task force will focus on both short- and long-term facility needs and ultimately make a recommendation to the district for consideration in a potential 2015 bond referendum.

Recommendations will also be used by the school board and administration as part of the district's implementation of a strategic plan.

In addition to district resource personnel, the task force will include 15 to 25 community representatives. Representation may include parents, current students, alumni, athletic and activity boosters, former school board members, teachers and residents with backgrounds in facilities, planning, design and engineering.

The task force will meet on Tuesday evenings beginning Aug. 19 and running through Sept. 30.

To apply to be on the task force, fill out an online application at http://tinyurl.com/ppqld7t. Applications will be accepted from July 7 to 31.

For information, contact the district communications department at 952-848-3919 or communications@edinaschools.org.

KIM McGUIRE