Northfield Public Schools Board Observer ReporT, 1.22.24

Northfield Public Schools, School Board Meeting

January 22, 2024

• Call to Order – By School Board Chair Claudia Gonzalez George at 6:00 p.m. Ben Miller participating remotely.
• Agenda Approval/Table File – Agenda approved unanimously by roll call vote. See

Click to access 2024.01.22-Board-Packet.pdf

• Public Comment – none
• Announcements and Recognitions – none
• Items for Discussion and Reports
  • Financial Forecast – Dr. Hillmann. No plan for budget reductions this year. For detail see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024.01.22-Board-Packet.pdf
    • Questions: Ben Miller asked about calculating 2-3% inflationary factor in the “assumptions” section. Dr. Hillmann said that he would check and come back to it later in the meeting. The MDE Commissioner sets the inflationary factor.
  • Summary of Superintendent’s Mid-Year Evaluation – Ms. Gonzalez George. The board evaluation gave Dr. Hillmann an excellent rating score of 4.87 out of 5 possible.
  • Potential Northfield High School Bond Referendum Update – Dr. Hillmann. The district is on schedule with public tours of the high school, community telephone survey, and compiling information. They have listed concerns with the current building, and are now looking at potential solutions. They have identified 6 possible pathways (not finalized): 1) Do nothing. Maintenance & renovate in place. 2) Add a turf practice field. 3) Add a field house 4) Reimagine the existing facility, with new additions; demolish portions that are least efficient. 5) New building on same campus, with options to keep some of existing facility. 6) New building on a new site (district hasn’t considered finding a new site). For cost see p. 34, https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024.01.22-Board-Packet.pdf. Geothermal solution, all options: would reduce utility bills, at a cost of $5-7 million. Expanding/replacing windows for more natural light (option 1) would cost about $2.5 million. All options are being considered before putting choices before voters next fall. The project would be bid in 2027 if referendum passes. All these figures are their best estimates, not final cost amounts. Another public meeting and tour are coming up on Feb. 12. We will also hear the results of phone survey.
• District Youth Council survey feedback included in packet (https://northfieldschools.org/wpcontent/uploads/2024.01.22-Board-Packet.pdf ).
  • Questions: Jenny Nelson asked whether the geothermal pricing is for all 6 pathways? Dr. Hillmann said yes, estimated cost is for wells and other parts exterior to the building. Ms. Nelson asked about pros and cons for all options; Dr. Hillmann said pros and cons haven’t been discussed yet, only pricing. Ms. Nelson asked about the basis for technology & engineering classroom square footage; Dr. Hillmann said he would have to get back to her. Amy Goerwitz asked about computer science education; Dr. Hillmann said we currently offer two courses at the high school; they can either set aside space for a computer lab, or use iPads or a laptop cart for teaching. Ms. Goerwitz said she hoped someone is keeping computer science in mind as they plan. She then asked about whether the turf would be environmentally friendly; Dr. Hillmann didn’t know; the facility would be practice turf only. Ms. Goerwitz expressed surprise at the estimated cost, over twice as much as it was in 2017. Dr. Hillmann commented on how quickly costs can escalate. Ms. Gonzalez George G asked how activities across the district would be impacted. Dr. Hillmann responded that almost all elementary gyms are currently used for high school sport practice. Expanding high school gym space will open up elementary gym space for elementary users and community use.
• Committee Reports – Ben Miller, District Youth Council (see https://northfieldschools.org/wpcontent/uploads/2024.01.22-Board-Packet.pdf
• Consent Agenda – approved unanimously by roll call vote (see https://northfieldschools.org/wpcontent/uploads/2024.01.22-Board-Packet.pdf
  • Minutes
  • Gift Agreements
  • MSHSL Membership for 2023-2024
  • Personnel Items
  • Items for Individual Action
    • Policy Recommendation, Policy 906, Community Notification of Predatory Offenders. Approved unanimously on roll call vote.
    • Request to Hire Additional English Learner Instructional Support – Instructor for Middle School.
      • Director of Instructional Services Hope Langston took questions: Ms. Goerwitz asked if the new learners were connected by background. Ms. Langston responded that they are all from different places. Approved unanimously on roll call vote.
    • Board Committee Assignments – Approved unanimously on roll call vote.
  • Items for Information –
    • Paraprofessional Recognition Week – 1/22-1/28.
    • Public Meeting – 1/29, 6 p.m.
    • Future Meetings, Work Session, and Public Meeting
    • Monday, January 29, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Public Meeting, Northfield High School Auditorium
    • Monday, February 12, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
    • Monday, February 12, 2024, Closed Board Meeting immediately following the Regular Board Meeting for the purpose of labor negotiations
    • Monday, February 26, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
• Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

By Connie Martin, Observer, League of Women Voters