Jan Mitchell, LWV Observer
Absent: Ellen Iverson and Mike Berthelsen
The annual organizational meeting took place at 7 p.m., and the officers were elected:
Chair- Kari Nelson
Vice Chair – Noel Stratmoen
Clerk – Ellen Iverson
Treasurer – Anne Maple
Stipends were continued at their current level ($2280 per year for Board members, and $3000 for the Chairperson). Of 13 school districts in the area, compensation ranges from $6000 for Board members in Rosemount down to $480 for Board members in Randolph, who only meet 12 times per year. Northfield pays more than 2 of the 13 districts.
Committee appointments were confirmed, along with various authorizations and designations.
The regular meeting convened at 7:10, and announcements included recognition of:
- Several teams’ sports successes
- Seniors Evan Quinnell and Berrit Amondson received the Triple A awards for academic, artistic and athletic distinction.
- Middle School participants in the Geography Bee – won by Henry Biemer
- Students chosen by audition to perform with the honors groups for the Music Educators’ convention
- Holly Fischer and Amanda Seagers were commended for the many musical performances presented before the holiday break.
The Greenvale Park site improvement plan was presented by Principal David Craft.
He credited the PLCs for significant improvements, especially among special education students. The week-to-week data about student progress pays off in close monitoring and adaptive strategies.
Tom Stinger presented the enrollment projections for the next few years. Student population, currently at 3800, will not change very significantly in the predictable future.
The Board unanimously approved the 7 site improvement plans that have been presented in the last couple of months.
They unanimously approved the budget calendar, and Noel Stratmoen noted the challenge of preparing a budget before the Legislature has determined the mount of state aid available.
They unanimously approved the legislative platform of Schools for Equity in Education, which includes an effort to rectify the underfunding of public education, and to reduce the disparity among districts resulting from differing property tax bases.
They also agreed to apply for MN Department of Education grants for “Race to the Top”. This application, if successful, would still provide a way to opt out if the specific requirements prove to be too burdensome.
The refinancing of general obligation bonds should save the District $175,000 - $200,000.
Noel Stratmoen will be honored at the MN School Board Association for 30 years as a Northfield Board Member.
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
