- Call to Order – Chair Claudia Gonzalez George called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Noel Stratmoen and Amy Goerwitz absent; all other board members present.
- Agenda Approval/Table File – Agenda & table file approved as presented (see
https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024.05.28-Board-Packet.pdf ).
- Public Comment – Patrick Tomczyk, Northfield resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed ice hockey arena.
- Announcements and Recognitions –
a. Certificates of Completion presented to Justin Raabolle, Dorothy Cohan, and Gabriel Crombie, who completed the Minnesota School Emergency Management program through Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
b. Dr. Hillmann congratulated participants in Northfield’s Memorial Day presentation.
c. Graduating seniors participated in graduation march at their former elementary schools.
- Items for Discussion and Reports
a. Sale of District Property – The district received an offer for property in Dundas. (See board packet for more information, https://northfieldschools.org/wp content/uploads/2024.05.28-Board-Packet.pdf.) The board will be asked to approve the sale at June 10 meeting.
b. Fall 2024 Bond Referendum and Ballot – Update on language and events. Board will be asked to approve ballot language at the June 10 board meeting. Dr. Hillmann updated the board on public information sessions.
Questions: Jenny Nelson questioned the language in ballot question 1, which was revised to include much less detail. Jeff Seeley from Ehlers Public Finance Advisers said that this format is standard ballot language, which is summarized so it isn’t cumbersome for voters. Ms. Nelson said she felt it was “more words but less information” than the original language. Mr. Seeley said that is to allow for flexibility in the actual construction. The ballot question can’t be too detailed or it will not allow for unexpected situations. Ms. Nelson feels the current language is weak. Jeff Quinnell asked about the process and if there will be another opportunity for debate.
Dr. Hillmann said they will take feedback for discussion tonight. Mr. Quinnell believes there is too much ambiguity, especially in ballot question 1; he wants as much detail as possible for taxpayers/voters. Mr. Seeley said they can change it if that’s what the board wants. Ben Miller and Corey Butler expressed support for the current language. Ms. Gonzalez George said there will be more opportunity to discuss on June 10.
c. Status of Child Care in Northfield – Director of Community Education Erin Bailey reported on the status, availability, and challenges of child care in Northfield. She gave an overview of the history and current status of Early Ventures, the district’s child care program. For the last three years the waitlist for child care has been 25-30 children (previously 4-12 children). For the last two years, 100% of children leaving Early Ventures have been kindergarten-ready. Dilemma of high need for child care in community, but it’s very expensive for families and they need more
available spaces. Early Ventures operates at a deficit every year. The state legislature suggests a cost of 7% of family income for child care, but in Northfield estimates are about 19% of family income. Cost for one child to attend is between $14,000-$16,000 per year. Scholarships are available through Rice County (“Pathway 1”), but there is a wait list. Rice County scholarship rates are considerably lower than those in Dakota County.
Questions: Dr. Hillmann said that the board had asked for more information on child care, and that is why Ms. Bailey did this presentation. The board will have a work session on June 10 to work on expansion of child care. This is a statewide issue. Mr. Miller asked about “cost of care gaps” chart; the survey was averaged throughout Rice County. How has the funding landscape changed? Ms. Bailey: COVID caused a dramatic decline in attendance (30-50%), resulting in the closure of in-home child care providers. Last summer 6 in-home providers closed in the district. Mr. Miller asked how many children receive scholarship help; Ms. Bailey said she will send exact figures, but the majority are paying full tuition. Ms. Nelson: Were all the closures in Northfield? Ms. Bailey: No, all were in Rice County; 4 in Northfield, 2 in Webster & Lonsdale. Ms. Nelson: How many providers are in Northfield? In the county? Ms. Bailey will get current information. Ms. Nelson: Have any closed this year? Ms. Bailey: Yes, there were some additional closures. Ms. Nelson asked for a breakdown in budget to reflect different ages/classrooms. Director of Finance Valori Mertesdorf will provide that breakdown for work sessions. Corey Butler asked about reducing the deficit for next year. Ms. Bailey said changes will not make a substantial difference in budget. Mr. Butler asked if there are staffing concerns if program expands? Ms. Bailey: We will incrementally open new rooms, looking at grants for workforce development. Mr. Quinnell: What are the criteria for participation? A physical address in the district? Ms. Bailey: No, we provide care for people who work here but don’t necessarily live here. They do usually matriculate to Northfield schools. Mr. Quinnell: How can public & private sectors work together? How far will parents drive for child care? Ms. Bailey: Parents will drive long distances for child care. Mr. Miller: It was a challenge to find care 15 years ago, and it’s even worse now. Ms. Nelson: Why is there such a variation between scholarship help from Rice & Dakota Counties? Ms. Bailey: Scholarship rates are set by a survey, filled out by child care providers, with the current rates they are charging. Rates reflect a large disparity between what centers charge in Rice & Dakota counties. There are also separate reimbursement rates for in-home providers & child care centers.
- Committee Reports – Ben Miller congratulated seniors in the report (see
https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024.05.28-Board-Packet.pdf)
- Consent Agenda – approved unanimously
a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Personnel Items
- Items for Individual Action –
- Items for Information
a. Graduation – ALC graduation is scheduled at 6:00 p.m. on Friday May 31, Middle School Auditorium. NHS graduation is scheduled at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday June 9 at Memorial Field.
- Future Meetings
a. Monday June 10, 2024, 4:00 p.m., Board Work Session, Northfield DO Boardroom
b. Monday June 10, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
c. Monday July 8, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
d. Monday July 22, 2024, 5:00 p.m., Workshop, Northfield DO Boardroom
e. Monday, August 12, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
- Adjournment at 7:11 p.m.
By Connie Martin, Observer, League of Women Voters
