- Call to Order – By School Board Chair Claudia Gonzalez George at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Matt Hillmann, Ben Miller absent. Director of Finance Valori Mertesdorf participated on behalf of the administration.
- Agenda Approval/Table File – Approved as presented
- Public Comment – None
- Announcements and Recognitions – Amy Goerwitz congratulated NHS Theater Department & Bob Gregory-Bjorklund for a successful production of Twelve Angry Jurors.
- Items for Discussion and Reports – For detail see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.11.13-Board-Packet.pdf
- Summary of Public Hearing Regarding the 2023-2024 World’s Best Workforce Plan – Director of Instructional Services Hope Langston presented this report. The district met third grade reading goal for 2022-23. Other educational goals are within reach but not met. Questions: Ms. Goerwitz asked about the backgrounds of kindergartners not meeting readiness goals; Ms. Langston explained the process for preschool screening. The district tests for kindergarten readiness in Spanish, as well as in English. Readiness scores do not appear to correlate with individual preschools, but with underserved populations. Jenny Nelson asked about the number of teachers who are “letters-trained,” and the correlation with third-grade success. Answer: Decoding words (spelling) is being addressed. The READ act dictates how we teach reading, with 5 curricular choices, to be implemented in 2025. Question: Ms. Nelson asked whether the district provides choices for career readiness other than college readiness? Answer: Students can choose between ACT (college readiness), career test (junior college), or a military readiness test. Ms. Gonzelez George asked about kindergarten readiness for children who are not enrolled in programs. Answer: This is not in the district’s control. It takes time to evaluate pre-K progress post=COVID, and they need time to see what happens with incoming students. Ms. Goerwitz: Since the ALC graduation rate often needs additional time, can we measure with a 5-year rate? Answer: Statewide reporting uses a 4-year rate, but the district keeps track of 5, 6, 7-year rates. Ms. Nelson: Does family involvement impact the graduation rate? Answer: We are actively involving families of students at risk for not graduating. Jeff Quinnell: What was the effect of COVID on middle schoolers? Answer: There was a precipitous drop in test scores for 8th graders during COVID. Now that is rebounding, so we are exploring how to address learning gaps caused by COVID within the time frame of a school day. Ms. Mertesdorf: Thanked Ms. Langston for this report, and emphasized the importance of understanding our local context.
- Early Learning and Adult Basic Education Program Updates – Director of Community Education Erin Bailey presented current enrollments for Adult Basic Education, Early Childhood Family Education, Early Ventures, and Hand in Hand Preschool. There is strong enrollment in all programs. She also presented updates to NCEC building, and the new logo for building. The Grove comprises the former media center, with creative installations designed by the Minnesota Science Museum. All areas of the Grove are fully accessible. The addition of a nurse to NCEC staff has been a positive benefit. Adult Basic Education has increased 48% since last year; the state only compensates for an 11% growth rate, so the pace of growth is faster than state compensation. Challenges: The free breakfast & lunch program does not apply to Early Ventures (as originally thought). We are working with families and with the state on these meals, especially with students who move back and forth between Early Ventures and Hand in Hand. The reduction of federal COVID funding for child care has caused Early Ventures to operate at a loss. Another challenge is the continued loss of childcare slots within the community. Transportation is also challenging, as are the changing needs of families. Many children born during the pandemic are now entering the system. Many kids have less socializing time and more “device” time, and are more isolated than in the past. Questions: Ms. Goerwitz asked about ECFE Kindergarten readiness. Answer: Evaluation is done by each roster; ECFE has fewer contact hours. Some kids attend both ECFE and Hand in Hand. ECFE-only is a very small cohort. Ms. Goerwitz: Is the Grove open to the public? Answer: Its function is primarily to serve students in the building. It is open some nights, check schedule. Ms. Nelson: Were there any fundraising events in previous years? Was the carnival successful? Answer: Previous fundraising events were very small. This year’s carnival was highly successful, especially as our first large fundraiser. We will probably do another carnival next year.
6. Consent Agenda – approved (see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.11.13-Board-Packet.pdf )
a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Financial Reports
d. Grant Applications
e. Northfield Swim Club Agreement
f. Personnel Items
7. Items for Individual Action –
a. Request to Hire Additional English Learner Instructional Support at Northfield Middle School – Ms. Langston said that as of last Thursday the district had enrolled 3 new ELC students, and will also have 4 more newcomers, totaling 7 since last week. Current enrollment is 30 kids higher than last year. Approved unanimously.
b. Grant Writing Contract with Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) – Approved unanimously.
c. Authorization to hire 1 additional Knowledge Bowl coach part-time at high school – Approved unanimously
8. Items for Information
a. Enrollment Options and History Report – Annual summary of impact of school choice. (See https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023.11.13-Board-Packet.pdf ) Ms. Mertesdorf presented this report. The district is still retaining more students, while still supporting the charter school. 200 more students are coming in from other districts than going out to other districts. Questions: Mr. Quinnell: Are you expecting any enrollment changes? Ms. Mertesdorf: Although this year was stable, Northfield is experiencing declining enrollment in general, because of Northfield’s population decline (3800 in 2022, 4000 in 2023). Ms. Goerwitz: Why are we attracting so many students from Faribault? Ms. Mertesdorf: There are as many reasons for this as there are students – location, transportation, parental employment, other reasons. Ms. Goerwitz: Do we ask students why when they enroll? Ms. Mertesdorf: These are not specifically recorded. Corey Butler: What impact does 200 fewer students mean in terms of funding? Ms. Mertesdorf: Approximately $2 million less operating revenue.
b. Enrollment Report – Monthly enrollment has been quite consistent, with total enrollment up 16 students. Questions: Ms. Nelson: Online enrollment last year was 93, this year down to 34. Why did those families leave? Ms. Mertesdorf: About a third came to Northfield schools for in-person instruction, another third went to a different district, and the final third stayed online with new system.
c. American Education Week – Celebration of public education, happening this week.
d. Board Work Sessions – see below for schedule.
10. Future Meetings
a. Thursday, November 16, 2023, 5:30 p.m., Work Session, NHS Media Center
b. Monday, November 27, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
c. Monday, December 4, 2023, 5:30 p.m., Work Session, NHS Media Center
d. Monday, December 11, 2023, 6:00 p.m. Regular Board Meeting, Northfield District Office Boardroom
11. Adjournment – adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
By Connie Martin, Observer, League of Women Voters
