Northfield Public Schools, School Board Meeting
February 26, 2024
- Call to Order – By School Board Chair Claudia Gonzalez George at 6:00 p.m. Amy Goerwitz was absent.
- Agenda Approval – Agenda and Table File approved (see https://northfieldschools.org/wpcontent/uploads/2024.02.26-Board-Packet.pdf )
- Public Comment – none
- Announcements and Recognitions – Dr. Hillmann
Early childhood programs open house on March 7 for next year at the NCEC, parents can tour building.
NHS student Eila Puppe won state’s top women’s hockey award.
Kaylee Graber, third girl in MN history to qualify for boy’s wrestling tournament.
Boys swim & dive qualified for state competition.
NHS mock trial team going to state tournament 3/7 in St. Paul. - Items for Discussion and Reports
a. Telephone Survey Results. Dr. Don Lifto from The Morris Leatherman Company presented the results of the Northfield High School facility telephone survey. In general, 66-69% supported improvements. Very detailed report, see table file for details.
Questions: Ben Miller asked about demographic data. Dr. Lifko: tried to keep targeted
population similar to all registered voters. Mr. Miller asked about uniformity of support within different demographics. Dr. Lifko said that is result of the district doing a good job of sharing of information with voters. Ms. Gonzalez George asked how old demographic is. Dr. Lifko said they receive updated data each year, strive for 6 months or less. Ms. Gonzalez George shared reflections: high level of support from all parts of community. Dr. Hillmann summarized process and thanked Dr. Lifko.
b. Indigenous (American Indian) Parent Meeting and Service Update. Dr. Hillmann updated the board about the Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee meetings held this year. Director of Instructional Services Hope Langston and Indigenous Family Cultural Liaison Sybil Betsinger shared the activities associated with improving services to Indigenous students and families. Our district has wide variation in communities, including different tribal affiliations. Professional development opportunities for cultural competency were provided for all teachers. Sybil Betsinger presented a summary of the indigenous cultural work within the school district. See
slide presentation for parent feedback and upcoming programs.
Questions: Ben Miller asked about the grant; Ms. Langston said the district applies annually for funds.
c. Potential 2024 Northfield High School Bond Referendum Update. Dr. Hillmann reviewed what has occurred thus far regarding the potential 2024 bond referendum to address facility problems at Northfield High School. He reviewed facility problems, community engagement efforts, potential options to address these problems, associated costs, and tax impact. Now it is time to determine the pathway forward for the board’s s anticipated decision of what referendum questions, if any, to place on the November 2024 election ballot. So far there have been 4 tours of NHS, well attended; one tour of Owatonna HS, one public meeting (16 people), Identification of 21 facility problems to solve. Now we have telephone survey data to gauge the
level of community support. There are a number of options, from basic maintenance and modest renovation through more complex building projects. (See
https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024.02.26-Board-Packet.pdf for detail.) Considering the results of the survey, it looks like the community would not support options 3 or 4 (new high school). He also presented the possible bond terms (20 or 30 years), how to structure potential referendum ballot questions (one question or multiple questions). Next steps include a board work session on March 5, decision at the March 11 board meeting. Questions and comments: Ms. Gonzalez George read a statement asking for comments and discussion, and reminded the board about their code of ethics. She is leaning toward Option 2(Reimagine) as a compromise between other options. Mr. Miller expressed his appreciation for the process thus far, and noted the high level of community support for safety & security, special education. He also noted that the cost has doubled for a new high school since 2017, which is most likely off the table for this community. If we don’t look at Option 2 (Reimagine) at this time, it will not be feasible in 7 or 8 years: we will no longer have a choice. Mr. Butler appreciated the thoroughness of this process. Asked a question about Alternate 1 option concerning locker room space; any reduction must comply with ADA regulations. He echoes comments of board members looking at Option 2 Reimagine, and favors 30-year bond. Jenny Nelson feels that Northfield is in a unique position because (1) our current high school design is impractical and outdated compared with other schools; (2) Northfield’s tax base is heavy on homeowners compared with other communities (including Owatonna). She found survey results disheartening but not surprising. She asked what items of safety & security are the most important to fix; Dr. Hillmann said the inordinate number of exits (37+), which are good for evacuation but are too many entrances, and cannot be monitored or controlled. Ms. Nelson asked about special education classroom updates; Dr. Hillman replied that accessibility is one concern, also the small size of current special education rooms. She also asked about the tax impact for Option 1A; Dr. Hillmann said he could get that information by Tuesday. Ehlers representative said they can ask for less than 20-year bond, but it is only occasionally done. Ms. Nelson asked about reducing the cost of Option 2; Dr. Hillmann said that is why districts break bond referendum into more than one question, to find out what community will support. Another approach would be “braiding”, structuring some existing funding to target Reimagine. Noel Stratmoen asked about alarm system with doors; facilities director replied that there are not alarms at all doors, students can exit at any time since they are only locked from the outside. Mr. Stratmoen said that is a problem. Jeff Quinnell asked about the current bond rate; the Ehlers representative said that they are assuming a rate of about 5%. Dr. Hillmann said 4.75% on 20, 5 on 25 years, 5.25% on 30 years. Caveat that this is the current market rate; when you go to voters you need to come in at or below rate. Mr. Miller asked about the historical average, and recalled that the bond at the Middle School was about 6% in 2002 (debt retiredlast year). Believes that the community wants a school facility that reflects a high value on education. Mr. Quinnell asked about the comparatively low cost of Owatonna high school
construction; their tax base includes much more business support. Their bond rate was 2.25%, right before the pandemic. Ms. Gonzalez George asked about options for replacing windows; Dr. Hillmann replied that windows can be replaced “as is” or larger windows can be installed for more natural light. - Committee Reports – none
- Consent Agenda – see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024.02.26-Board-Packet.pdf. Approved.
a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Personnel Items - Items for Individual Action –
a. 2024-2025 Operating Capital and Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Budgets. Motion to approve
the 2024-2025 Operating Capital and Long Term Facilities Maintenance Budgets as follows: Revenues Expenditures Operating Capital $3,084,701 $3,175,919 Long-Term Facilities Maintenance $1,416,396 $1,198,050.
Ms. Mertesdorf said there were no changes in budget amounts, however indoor air quality plan is also included.
Motion passed.
b. Long Term Facilities Maintenance Ten Year Plan. Motion to approve the Long Term Facilities Maintenance Ten Year Plan and the Indoor Air Quality Management Plan.
Motion passed.
c. Policy Recommendation. Motion to approve the policy committee’s recommendation to sunset Policy 310.
Motion passed. - Items for Information
a. Public Schools Week, celebrated this year from Feb. 26-March 1, 2024, is a time for students, families, educators, and community members to come together to show support for the country’s public schools. - Future Meetings and Work Session
a. Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 4:00 p.m., Board Work Session, Northfield DO Boardroom
b. Monday, March 11, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
c. Monday, March 18, 2024, 5:00 p.m., Board Workshop, Northfield DO Boardroom - Adjournment at 7:59 p.m.
By Connie Martin, Observer, League of Women Voters
