Northfield Public Schools, School Board Meeting
September 25, 2023
- Call to Order – School Board Chair Claudia Gonzalez George called the meeting to order at 6:00, all present.
2. Agenda Approval/Table File – approved (https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.09.25-Board-Packet.pdf )
3. Public Comment – none
4. Announcements and Recognitions
a. NHS Athletic Hall of Fame inducted 5 individual alumni, and the 1979 girls’ basketball team, which had been undefeated until state championship game, and came in second in the state that year. Historically this team left a legacy for current girls’ sports, as they protested inequities with the boys’ teams (lack of equitable gym practice time, sharing locker room with opponents, etc.) Protests included sit-ins during boys’ basketball practice.
b. Rice County United Way’s Day of Caring: Volunteers painted a storage shed at NCEC, and cleaned up the grounds at Memorial Field before Homecoming.
5. Items for Discussion and Reports
a. District Youth Council (DYC) Update: DYC youth chairs Connor Percy and McKenna Carlson recapped 2022-2023 successes, including holding school-wide forums, continuing to stock menstrual period products, and creating a name-change guide for transgender & other students to use as a resource. Goals for 2023-2024 include equity programs, continuing to stock menstrual products, strengthen connections between school board & students.
Questions: Amy Goerwitz: What are the resources you provide to students? Connor: We make sure students know they can be heard at school board, candidate forums. Noel Stratmoen: What is the biggest issue at the high school? Both students: The current building, especially the air conditioning. Corey Butler: How do you connect with classmates? Answer: Using more social media, especially Instagram, and visual media such as posters. Ben Miller: Are there priorities you want the board to know? He stressed the availability of board to listen to student concerns. Jenny Nelson: What age group does the DYC serve? Answer: Grades 10-12. Membership is currently 17-18, last year it was 14, so membership has grown. Ms. Nelson: How do you know you’re reaching all students? Answer: They have made a special point of visiting Black & Latino student organizations to recruit greater diversity for DYC.
b. Superintendent State of the District Overview: Dr. Matt Hillmann: There are currently 96 youth on boards & commissions in Northfield. These are all working boards, with great participation. This year’s theme is “Elevate”, through Vision and Strategic Commitments: to people, learner outcomes, equity, communication, stewardship, partnerships (see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.09.25-Board-Packet.pdf for more detail). Benchmarks & progress reporting appear in detail on the district website, go to the strategic plan page for updated results. Kindergarten readiness very high. 84% of middle school students feel that adults care about them. Academic achievement very high compared with other schools in our conference (Big 9). Grades 3 and 7 reading are very high compared statewide. NHS Advance Placement credits are also very high, 320 students, with 99 AP scholars. Students took a physical/social emotional wellbeing self-assessment for the first time, and reported fairly high results (80-86%). 95.9% of students graduated in 4 years, ACT scores average 21.8, outperforming state & national schools. For Parent & Employee experience, the district is working to improve parent involvement & feedback. Employees believe their work matters, want more feedback from supervisors. Finances: The district has a goal of 14% in fund balance, currently 15.9%, a result of hard work & strong management. 2.17% projected levy increase, and the middle school and memorial field levies are retired. Community Education growing, meeting community needs. Legislative changes will require some actions over the next several years (see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.09.25-Board-Packet.pdf ).
Dr. Hillmann commended the board on its excellent governance. Also commended former member Robert Coleman for his service as a temporary board member replacing Noel Stratmoen while he was ill. Mr. Stratmoen has been a board member since 1980, and returned to the board at the last meeting.
Coming up: Implementing the READ Act; outreach to minority groups, especially parents; new agriculture department after 35 years, which also includes a chapter of FFA. The future of the high school will require an honest community discussion. Biggest problems include maintenance issues, as the facility is just too old. There is no deferred maintenance.
Questions: Ms. Goerwitz asked about the district preschool, specifically which children are counted in report statistics. Dr. Hillmann: The district’s Hand In Hand Preschool. Ben Miller asked if there were other concerns that were not addressed in benchmarks. Dr. Hillmann said that the longer-term funding from state, higher year can’t make up for 20 years of low funding. They are also watching enrollment for this year, and support that the state can give for bonding. Implementation of the READ Act and Letters training (school reading).
6. Consent Agenda – Approved unanimously on voice vote. (See https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.09.25-Board-Packet.pdf ).
a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Personnel Items
7. Items for Individual Action –
a. Activities Sponsor Partner Agreement, Community Resource Bank to sponsor scoreboard for $20,000. Director of Finance Valeri Mertesdorf and Jeff Quinnell expressed gratitude to CRB.
b. Proposed 2023 Payable 2024 Property Tax Levy: Ms. Mertesdorf presented the Preliminary Levy, which will provide about 25% of the general fund, and all debt service. Includes voter approved & state authorized tax revenues.
Truth in Taxation Timeline: District financial information must be sent to Rice & Dakota Counties and MDE by September 30. County prepares tax statements. (See https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.09.25-Board-Packet.pdf) The levy can have adjustments up to three years. See pie charts of expenditures: the general fund is the greatest percentage, then community ed, then debt service. For income, the referendum provides almost half, the state about 1/3, remainder is capital projects levy. There are many changes; see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.09.25-Board-Packet.pdf
Questions: Mr. Miller asked a specific question about the increase in expenses; Ms. Mertesdorf said it was actually a true-up over 3 years (actual vs. estimate). Mr. Stratmoen noted that increases are well below the rate of inflation, and congratulated Ms. Mertesdorf. Dr. Hillmann asked for information about levy increase. (See tax impact chart: https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/09.25.2023-Regular-Meeting-Table-File-1.pdf) Ms. Mertesdorf suggested that most residential units will pay less in annual property taxes, due to aggregating all properties & taxes. (All are based on taxable market value.) The rate will depend on property tax assessments. The positive news for the district is that we have paid off debt, and qualify for a lower rate.
Dr. Hillmann: Asks board to certify the maximum available tonight, but later we will have a more accurate dollar amount.
Motion to approve certification for levy at maximum amount passed unanimously.
8. Items for Information
a. District Youth Council Brunch on Saturday at the Community Resource Center.
9. Future Meetings
a. Monday, October 9, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
b. Monday, October 23, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
c. Monday, November 13, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
10. Adjournment – Adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
