Northfield Public Schools, School Board Meeting
August 28, 2023
1. Call to Order – Called to order at 6:00, all present.
2. Agenda Approval/Table File – approved
3. Public Comment – none
4. Announcements and Recognitions
a. 145 incoming kindergarten students participated in the Bridges to Kindergarten program, easing their transition to kindergarten.
b. NPS Staff appreciation breakfast was held this morning.
c. NPS students did well in the 2023 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) testing results and annual report. These tests measure proficiency rates for all students statewide; Northfield students out-performed students statewide by double digits, and also did well in comparison to other Big 9 schools.
5. Items for Discussion and Reports
a. Middle School Continuous Improvement Plan – Middle School Principal Greg Gelineau presented 2023-2024 school improvement plan report, after concluding a successful year last year. (For detail see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.08.28-Board-Packet-1.pdf ) For next year, they hope to improve the staff employee experience, which decreased during COVID. Action Steps include restructuring communication process to provide more opportunities for staff communication, including monthly listening sessions and social opportunities.
Questions: Ben Miller asked about data collection for evaluating this plan. Mr. Gelineau explained the school’s monitoring system. Academic reporting is going well, behavioral reporting is more problematic. Classroom teachers are still learning how to report and refer students for behavior problems. Mr. Miller then asked exactly what is a referral. Mr. Gelineau said that is when there is a behavioral issue, it must be documented by the teacher. If it happens again or in multiple classes, it moves on to intervention by more than just classroom teacher. Robert Coleman asked about specific strategies; Mr. Gelineau said that all classrooms use AVID (teacher resource program) as much as possible in order to make reporting and actions be consistent. The are already seeing the benefit of that consistency, particularly with student note-taking. Amy Goerwitz asked about the reported lower learner outcomes for 8th grade: is that an after-effect of COVID, or a cohort problem? Mr. Gelineau said COVID certainly had an effect, though it is not an excuse. He believes the cohort will be fine when they get to high school. Ms. Goerwitz then asked how is middle school data handled when students go on to high school? Mr. Gelineau said that the high school does use middle school data for entering students who have learning problems. Jenny Nelson asked about how the suggested changes will be implemented. Mr. Gelineau said they will begin at Tier 1, then move through 2 & 3. (See Table File for detail.) Board Chair Claudia Gonzalez George asked how the stated goals were arrived at? Mr. Gelineau said the goals were part of a grant, and they used the numbers from the grant. She then asked how far off the final number for equity participation was from the stated goal of 24%? Mr. Gelineau said it wasn’t very far at all. CGG then asked about the Middle School Youth Center. Mr. Gelineau said it is included in after-school activities, and includes tutoring. It has always drawn many BIPOC students, and is now drawing a strong mix of white and BIPOC students. It is open 3:00-4:45 daily.
b. High School Activities Continuous Improvement Plan – New Activities Director John Mahal taught in the old Northfield Middle School, then served as an administrator in several other districts. He is now back in Northfield chairing High School Activities. (See https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.08.28-Board-Packet-1.pdf for detail on strategic plan and results.) 2022-2023 Family Engagement, Learner Outcomes goals were exceeded. It was the first year for NHS’s Anti-Racism goal, so took baseline data (95% of spectator supervisors reported positive student spectator behavior). They will increase goal percentages for this school year. Mr. Mahall explained planned “action steps” to meet goals in all three areas. He also explained the role of “bleacher captains” at sports events.
Questions: Ms. Nelson asked which sports are managed through activities office at the high school? Finance Director Valori Mertesdorf said that cheerleading, chess club, ski club and snowboard club are through Community Ed., and coordinated through the school. Ms. Nelson then asked about scholarships: are there opportunities for adults besides parents to contribute to scholarship funds, considering the rise in fees? Ms. Mertesdorf said yes, the school has just created a link on their website where anyone can contribute to the scholarship fund. Amy Goerwitz expressed concern that with so many sports activities, fine arts activities may get shortchanged. Mr. Mahal responded that he met with Bob Gregory-Bjorklund last fall about the school musical, and yesterday with music staff about how to support them. He recognizes the need to balance fine arts with athletics. Ms. Goerwitz asked how bleacher coaches are chosen? What do the students get out of this experience? Does it put them in conflict with their peers? Mr. Mahal: Bleacher coaches wear an identifier and receive free food and drink at end of each game. It is a leadership position, and students work in tandem with a spectator supervisor (adult) who can step in if needed. Students apply for this program and are trained for specific situations. There is a mechanism for debriefing after games or difficult situations. Corey Butler: How do scholarships look this year? Is the district able to offer everyone help who needs it, considering the higher fees? Mr. Mahal: To his knowledge only 3 students have asked for extra assistance so far. Dr. Hillmann: The scholarship fund has raised about $780 this year. Ms. Mertesdorf believes that more families will qualify for FRLP due to legislative changes. She has not seen a dramatic increase in scholarship requests, but noted that activity enrollment has increased despite the fee increase. Mr. Butler: Will the automatic MedicAid forms mitigate the change in FRLP (new legislation)? Ms. Mertesdorf: Last year there was a substantial increase in funding due to this pilot program, it will most likely continue. Ms. Gonzalez-George: Do families self-select for scholarship help? Ms. Mertesdorf said they do, and that there is a good way of helping families. Dr. Hillmann expressed support for the bleacher captain training, teaching all students to cheer for our school and not against the other school. Students learn from the example of adults, and he asked adult attendees to model positive enthusiasm at athletic events.
c. Superintendent’s Areas of Focus 2023-2024 – will be item for action at the next board meeting. Dr. Hillmann added a fourth focus area to the three from last year: (1) READ Act, to improve proficiency rates in reading; (2) Implementing new state legislation; (3) Seeking feedback from families of BIPOC students to further success; (4) Developing structure, information, and timeline for November 2024 referendum to voters, to address NHS facility improvements.
6. Consent Agenda – approved unanimously on voice vote. (See https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.08.28-Board-Packet-1.pdf )
a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Personnel Items
7. Items for Individual Action – see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.08.28-Board-Packet-1.pdf for more detail.
a. Sharing Our Roots Contract – approved unanimously
b. LMR Media Contract – approved unanimously
c. Grant Writer – to negotiate a contract with HCI for no more than $45K (1/2 of the projected cost) for a grant writer position to be shared between HCI and NPS. Will start with applying for MDE’s newly-approved grants, and then move on to other state and federal grants available. Approved unanimously.
d. Proposed Seven Period Day at Northfield Middle School – approved unanimously
e. Proposed 2023-2025 Agreement with the Northfield Education Association (NEA) – This contract includes base salary increases of 6% in the first year and 3% in the second year; and a 5% increase to the district’s contribution to health insurance.
Questions: Robert Coleman and Ben Miller said they are pleased to vote on this contract, and expressed their appreciation for administrative team and NEA negotiating team. Dr. Hillmann commented on mutual respect through vigorous debate; reflects commitment to high-quality educators. This agreement will allow Northfield to remain competitive in attracting quality educators. Approved unanimously.
f. Approval of Policy 448 – district-paid maternity leave. Approved unanimously
g. Co-Curricular Adds – Addition of the fall play assistant director. Approved unanimously.
h. Resolution Reinstating a School Board Member After a Temporary Vacancy Caused by Illness or Prolonged Absence – Noel Stratmoen notified the School Board on August 24 that he is now able to return to board. Comments: Ms. Gonzalez-George, Ms. Nelson, Ms. Goerwitz, Mr. Quinnell, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Butler all congratulated and expressed gratitude to Robert Coleman for his service and commitment, and welcomed back Mr. Stratmoen. Mr. Coleman expressed his gratitude to the board and administration for their support, and for the opportunity to serve. Dr. Hillmann thanked Mr. Coleman, welcomed Mr. Stratmoen back to the board, and also took the opportunity to recognize our state legislature for implementing thoughtful legislation to allow for a member to step aside and then return; this does not happen in every state. Approved unanimously on roll call vote.
Mr. Coleman vacated his chair, Mr. Stratmoen took the chair.
8. Items. for Information – none
9. Future Meetings
a. Monday, September 11, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
b. Monday, September 25, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
c. Monday, October 9, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
10. Adjournment – adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
