By Connie Martin, Observer, League of Women Voters
June 12, 2023
1. Call to Order, 6:00 p.m. by Board Chair Claudia Gonzalez-George. All members present.
2. Agenda and Table File, approved as presented
3. Public Comment – none
4. Announcements and Recognitions
Dr. Hillmann congratulated the class of 2023, 285 graduating seniors.
Activities announcements: Choir, band and orchestra spring concerts were all presented successfully. Dr. Hillmann recognized high school orchestra director Paul Ousley, who will be retiring after this school year. He also recognized several athletes who participated at state track and field events, and girls’ golf which will participate at state this week.
5. Items for Discussion and Reports
A. Nursing Proposal – Proposal to add a year-round, full time building nurse for the Early Education Building. The district has had trouble recruiting nurse substitutes, resulting in “shuffle” between buildings if a nurse is absent. New legislation will provide funding for a new support position. A nurse is also needed for summer programs, so the proposal includes a year-round position. (For more detail see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.06.12-Board-Packet.pdf ).
Questions: Ben Miller asked about requirements for this position; Dr. Hillmann responded this will most likely be an RN, but possibly an LPN; still being determined.
B. Policy Committee, recommended handbook updates – Most changes from last year are minor language updates (Early Ventures, Hand in Hand and Kid Ventures handbooks). One major change is about student misuse of cell phones, including photography and recording, which were updated for clarity and consistency. There may also be some changes in language around school meal payment, depending on legislation.
Questions: Jeff Quinnell asked about clarifying the definitions for bullying and harassment. Dr. Hillmann read the definitions aloud from the new handbook. Mr. Quinnell then asked about conflict resolution. Dr. Hillmann said that is what staff does every day. The Student Citizen Handbook does discuss restorative practices. Amy Goerwitz commented on inconsistencies in the Early Ventures handbook, including lack of clarity about pre-payment and how it is applied. Hand in Hand mentions “consult classes”, it is unclear what those are. She believes that the Citizenship handbook is the most important of all the handbooks. In general, she believes cyberbullying needs to be addressed more than it is in this handbook. She also wonders what happens if a student does a “prank”; is that burglary? Dr. Hillmann said no, that would be addressed as trespassing. Ms. Goerwitz would like to add language about AI and ChatGPT in the “dishonesty” section. Dr. Hillmann replied that he believes it is important to teach about appropriate uses of these technologies, and focus on disciplinary action only when it is inappropriate. Ms. Goerwitz still believes there is not enough information about misuse of technology. Ms. Gonzalez-George asked exactly what she meant, and Ms. Goerwitz clarified her concern. Mr. Miller feels that getting too language-specific can be problematic since technology changes so quickly. Dr. Hillmann said that these were not part of our lexicon until January or February, because they are so new. The basic principle of honesty in writing papers is the same regardless of technology. He wants to keep language addressing honesty/dishonesty regardless of technology, which would be covered under “cheating”, and teach students how to use technology appropriately. Mr. Quinnell: What is cheating, and what is advancing cognitive learning? Dr. Hillmann wants to get feedback from staff on this. His focus is on student behavior rather than technology. Ms. Goerwitz asked to clarify the difference between “assault/physical” and “fighting”. Dr. Hillmann said that fighting is mutual, and requires no police referral. Assault carries a legal component, acting to cause bodily harm, one-sided, and includes police referral. Ms. Goerwitz asked whether these can be clarified, since she found this section confusing. She then asked as a general question, do multiple offenses (first, second etc.) apply just within each category, or across categories? Dr. Hillmann replied that each occurrence is independent within each category; however, accumulated behavior may require different discipline. Ms. Goerwitz asked whether online harassment is addressed anywhere? Also whether there is a change to the district’s marijuana or THC policy? Is it now treated as similar to tobacco, or chemical use? Dr. Hillmann said that the law is not changing for students, therefore there is no need to change the handbook. Mr. Miller said that marijuana has been decriminalized in Minnesota but is still a federally controlled substance. It is now a gray area, and it would be good to mention in the handbook in the same way as alcohol. Dr. Hillmann will contact the MSDA to see how they are updating their materials.
C. Fiscal Year 2023 audit engagement letter – Annual letter from the district’s auditor. The auditor is now using a new electronic system. No increase in their basic fee; however, there will be some program-related fee increases.
D. Legislative update – MSDA is currently compiling a timeline for school districts to implement new legislation. There will be many changes to keep up with. (For more detail see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.06.12-Board-Packet.pdf )
E. Recognized people retiring from school district.
F. Seniors paraded through their former elementary schools in caps and gowns for the elementary students. Benjamin Bus donated 7 buses for this project, which otherwise would have been cost-prohibitive.
G. Carleton Prof. Valerie Fox presented at several schools this year about her work at NASA.
H. As part of the district’s effort to integrate agriculture education, Farm Day expanded from Greenvale School to Spring Creek.
I. This will be the final superintendent’s update in this verbal format. It was originally an attempt to keep the board and parents updated on COVID in 2020, then grew to include the strategic plan. Things like recognitions and announcements will go elsewhere in the agenda. Other items will be separated into stand-alone reports (such as legislative reports).
Questions: Jenny Nelson asked about whether some of the information will go out to parents as it has been? Dr. Hillmann said that yes those things will be included in news to parents. The intent is not to reduce the amount of information given to parents, just to clarify board meetings. Ms. Goerwitz thanked Dr. Hillmann for these three years of reports. She asked that information be sent to interested non-parents as well, and that information include photos. She also acknowledged former board member Tom Baraniak, who connected the district with Prof. Fox at Carleton for the project above. Robert Coleman thanked retirees, and recognized the special events listed above.
6. Consent Agenda – approved unanimously (see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.06.12-Board-Packet.pdf ).
7. Items for Individual Action
A. Policy Committee Recommendation – Dr. Hillmann reported that aspirin will not be included in the policy recommendations because of its connection with Reyes Syndrome. Mr. Coleman thanked the committee for explicitly including written authorization from parents/guardians/caretakers. Approved unanimously
9. Items for Information – Enrollment report for end of the year. Numbers are similar to those in last month’s report. Ms. Goerwitz asked about the 5 students from Portage who left the district at the end of the year. Dr. Hillmann did not have specific information on these students. Ms. Nelson asked about ALC numbers, which increased from 63 at the beginning of the year to 215 at the end. Dr. Hillmann said that increase is typical. Director of Finance Valerie Mertesdorf said that most of the 215 are taking one-time classes; the ALC actual number at the end of the year was 65.
9. Future Meetings
A. Monday, July 10, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
B. Monday, August 14, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
C. Monday, August 28, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
10. Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
