Northfield Public Schools, School Board Meeting
By Connie Martin, Observer, League of Women Voters
August 14, 2023
1. Call to Order – Called to order at 6:00, all present; Ben Miller online.
2. Agenda Approval/Table File – see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.08.14-Board-Packet.pdf . Agenda and table file approved.
3. Public Comment – none
4. Announcements and Recognitions, Dr. Hillmann
34 incoming 7th grade students went to Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in July, where they won an award for conserving resources.
Arcadia Charter School celebrated 20th anniversary last week.
Fall athletics have started, wishing everyone a good season.
Congratulate several students heading to state bass fishing tournament This is a newer team sport.
Class of 1988 held 35th reunion last week, at least 40 people came back to celebrate.
Congratulations to Director of Finance Val Mertesdorf, who published a guest commentary for the Minnesota Society of Public Accountants on the importance of offering multiple pathways for CPAs to receive license, and the impact of the continuing shortage of CPAs for school districts on audits and hiring.
5. Items for Discussion and Reports
a. Community Education Continuous Improvement Plan – Erin Bailey, Coordinator. (For more detail see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.08.14-Board-Packet.pdf ) Ms. Bailey presented progress, goals, and action steps, focusing on learning outcomes, connecting with families, equity. Progress monitoring plan includes measurable outcomes.
Questions – Amy Goerwitz: Since there is no available space in child care, are you thinking of expanding program/space? Ms. Bailey: Yes, we are reviewing how to expand capacity. Most demand is for infant/toddler care. If we add a room for that age group, then we must also add one for all following ages to accommodate this in the future. Staffing is also a problem. CEC communicates with other day cares in town to monitor availability for parents that must be turned away. Ms. Goerwitz: Have you given thought to how to expand program? Ms. Bailey: We are focusing on programs and current enrollment. We use the DHS report to track this benchmark (benchmark 11).
Corey Butler: Do you keep data on changes within community for day care? Ms. Bailey: Yes, we track those changes in order to predict needs within the community. Mr. Butler: What were considerations for “people” goal (increased family contact)? Ms. Bailey: That was the area with the lowest score. Robert Coleman: Concerning Hand in Hand readiness scores, how do these scores compare with other children in the community? Ms. Bailey: It depends on the size of daycare center and number of disadvantaged children. Early literacy testing is shared with other preschools. Poverty is the number one contributor to low scores for kindergarten readiness. Mr. Coleman: Why was this particular class pulled out for evaluation? Ms. Bailey: It was the class with the most diversity. They also wanted to maintain student anonymity. Ben Miller: Will there be any state funding to help with capacity issues? Ms. Bailey: Grants received throughout COVID will continue through December, we don’t know after that. Scholarship funds from state will increase, allowing for students to receive scholarships through year (instead of ending early in the year). Dr. Hillmann: Congratulations to Ms. Bailey on progress on their goals. He reminded the board that in 2018 60% of voters approved funding for academic improvement, specifically for closing the academic gap in early childhood before they get to kindergarten. That has been successful, and now we need to manage the growth of this program. Ms. Goerwitz: When will the new play center be ready? Ms. Bailey: The play center now has a name, “The Grove.” The last large piece will be installed next week. (The play center is the former Greenvale School media center; the district partnered with the Minnesota Childrens’ Museum to design and install a vibrant play space there.)
b. Area Learning Center Continuous Improvement Plan – Daryl Kehler, Director of the ALC, presented a report. (For more detail see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/Regular-Meeting-Table-File-08.14.2023.pdf .) This year the ALC focused on goals 4-7, concerning community and learner outcomes. Key reflections: While they didn’t meet their goals, they are trending in the right direction, including rebounding after the pandemic, and building a strong sense of community. 100% of students feel safe and supported at school. For next year one goal is to increase survey response from parents from 2% to 20%.
Questions – Mr. Butler: Concerning the “Family Engagement” category, how do you look at different structures in homes? Mr. Kehler: Everyone enrolled counts statistically, but several students are 18 and over; they don’t fill out the family engagement forms (which lowers statistics). Mr. Butler: How do you honor families who don’t want to engage and still increase communication? Mr. Kehler: We try to bring in families in different ways, invitations even to those who don’t want to participate. This varies from year to year, including how many students enroll themselves. Ms. Goerwitz: What is the graduation rate? Was it affected by COVID? Did you get more students at ALC from high school due to COVID? Mr. Kehler: Credit recovery started right away; after COVID ALC enrolled 400 students, then 250, now 250 again; before COVID the average was 60 (summer programs for students recovering credits). We encourage students to recover credits as soon as possible after failing a class, not to wait until 12th grade. Very close to capacity, which is a class size of 15 or fewer recommended for ALCs.
c. Sharing Our Roots Contract – Action item for next meeting. Ms. Mertesdorf: This contract is about helping to manage community garden for 5 years, as a community partnership. The district owns the land for the garden. Right now there is no water on site, this grant will allow us to install a separate water meter and run pipe to the garden. Dr. Hillmann: The community garden is used by many people from the neighborhood, particularly for immigrant populations. Jeff Quinnell: Does the school district have any liability within garden? Safety issues? Ms. Bailey: There is a fence around the garden. Ms. Mertesdorf: This agreement requires the garden organization to carry liability insurance. There are liability sections in the lease agreement.
d. LMR Media Contract – Dr. Hillmann: This is an updated advertising contract, for action at the next meeting. It is similar to the contract approved earlier this year, a commission-based contract; no payment is due at this time.
e. Grant Writer Proposal – Dr. Hillmann: Since the last board meeting, he did a survey of other school districts, but only one district responded. This position would free current staff for execution and reporting of grants. Northfield HCI called over the weekend and would like to share the position of grantwriter. We are now in talks with them. HCI has been a good community partner and this could be a good partnership. He will bring to next board meeting after more complete discussion.
Questions: Jenny Nelson: Would this grantwriter be able to apply for federal grants? Dr. Hillman: Yes. Ms. Nelson: Who would give direction on which grants to apply for? Dr. Hillmann: District administrators, who will make sure that the grant aligns with our strategic plan, goals, and benchmarks. The board needs to approve all applications for grants. Ms. Mertesdorf also reviews all grant requests. Ms. Goerwitz: There are advantages to working with HCI, but how do we be sure a grantwriter’s time is equally divided between HCI and the district? Dr. Hillmann: We will do a time analysis. Both organizations have the same goals, but HCI’s are for outside of school. Mr. Butler: He had intended to advocate for a full-time position, and thinks HCI partnership is a good thing. He is very interested in hearing more next time. A full-time position is more attractive and will draw stronger candidates.
f. Proposal to Maintain the Seven Period Day at Northfield Middle School –Dr. Hillmann said that the reduction to a 6-period day, presented several months ago, was solely due to funding issues. Dynamics are different now than they were then: Asking board to approve a 7-period day at a future meeting. Northfield Middle School principal Greg Gelineau: The retirement of one 8th grade geography teacher, and the proposal of a second teacher to restructure the geography program, will make enough funding available to maintain a 7-period day. (For more detail see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.08.14-Board-Packet.pdf ).
Questions: Ms. Nelson: Are all 8th graders required to take geography? Mr. Gelineau: Yes, switching off with health class. This proposal will open up a semester slot for electives. Ben Miller: How much potential savings would it generate for this year ($200,000 for next year)? Dr. Hillmann: We don’t know for sure, most likely around $100,000. Mr. Coleman: If we take this approach, he would encourage the board to watch for negative effects on social studies/geography. Mr. Gelineau: Positive opportunities with this proposal: Writing class will change, are there opportunities to plan with different standards & curricula? Maybe add skill development? Claudia Gonzalez-George: The board will act on this next meeting.
6. Consent Agenda moved to accept: (see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.08.14-Board-Packet.pdf ) Roll call vote unanimous to accept.
a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Financial Reports
d. Policy Revisions Due to Changes in Law
e. Girls Volleyball Non-Exclusive Cooperative Sponsorship with Arcadia Charter School
f. Contracts for Translation Services
g. Personnel Items
7. Items for Individual Action
a. Policy Committee Recommendations – Change to student citizen handbook, reflecting legislative changes. (https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.08.14-Board-Packet.pdf) Approved unanimously on roll call vote.
b. Benjamin Bus Contract Terms for 2023-2025 – (https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.08.14-Board-Packet.pdf) Approved unanimously on roll call vote.
8. Items for Information
a. Staff Breakfast and Program – Board members welcome. 8/28 7 a.m. at Middle School
b. 2023-24 e-Learning Plan – Adopted at the time school calendar was adopted. Similar to last year’s plan. Last year had record snowfall, more cancellations. Parent feedback: Parents wanted the option to NOT use an e-learning day, would be an excused absence. Currently 5 e-learning days, with option to increase if weather requires.
9. Future Meetings
a. Monday, August 28, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
b. Monday, September 11, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
c. Monday, September 25, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
10. Closed Session: Labor Negotiations Strategy (Minnesota Statute 13D.03). At 7:52 p.m. the Board went into a special closed session to discuss Labor Negotiations.
