Jan Mitchell
LWV Observer
Absent - Paul Hager
Officers for the Board were elected:
Chairperson - Kari Nelson
Vice-Chairperson - Noel Stratmoen
Clerk - Katie Hargis
Treasurer - Mike Bertelson
Stipends for members of the Board were increased by $10 per month,
making the Directors’ stipend $190, and Chairperson’s stipend $250 per
month.
Committee appointments remain as they were last year.
The regular Board meeting opened at 7:20, and highlights included
* recognition - of the $5000 grant provided for service learning
at the high school by the Northfield Foundation, a $1000 grant to promote
employee wellness, the Focus 10th grade class volunteer work in response to
homelessness, and the awards presented to Amy Sieve & Lana Tran for exemplary work
in incorporating technology in their instruction.
* enrollment projections for building the budget look to be stable - about 3840
students, and funding per student at about $6326 (a combination of state formula
and local referendum funds).
* In response to a request from City of Northfield, Board approved a JOBZ
plan for Upper Lake Foods that will mean a loss of about
$13,000 for 7 years from the tax base as this business relocates here and hires 40
-50 workers.
* State Representative David Bly addressed the Board, and
indicated that he feels education funding and fairness are major concerns. The
Board spoke to the urgent concern of getting adequate funds, equitably
distributed among Districts.
