- Call to Order – School Board Vice Chair Corey Butler called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Corey Butler, Jeff Quinnell, Amy Goerwitz, Jenny Nelson, Rob Hardy, Ben Miller. Absent: Claudia Gonzalez George
- Agenda Approval/Table File – Agenda & table file approved unanimously (see
https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024.09.09-Board-Packet.pdf )
- Public Comment – none
- Announcements and Recognitions –
Greenvale hosted Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and legislators to serve meal on the first day of school.
Northfield Future Farmers of America was at the State Fair, for the first time since the agriculture program was reinstated at the high school.
NHS Animal Science class is hosting some goats, which will be living at the high school until winter break.
Sesquicentennial Minute: In 1856, 20 Northfield settlers pledged $300 to build first schoolhouse, on site of the UCC. 73 students attended the first year.
- Items for Discussion and Reports
a. Northfield Middle School Improvement Showcase – Middle School principal Greg Gelineau said the school made significant progress on all goals last year. (See
https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024.09.09-Board-Packet.pdf ) Goals for this year were also presented.
Questions: Rob Hardy: What keeps you excited and motivated to keep working with middle schoolers after 27 years? Mr. Gelineau: You have to love middle schoolers! Students are very impressionable; you can make a difference in their lives. Amy Goerwitz: What is the difference between the employee experience survey and creating a positive experience for employees?
Mr. Gelineau: Those were actually the same question, not different. Ms. Goerwitz: Questions about how the survey is scored: Why is the score as low as it is (3.8 out of 5)? Mr. Gelineau: We are still moving forward; the goal is to get over 4. Dr. Hillmann: The survey is about 20 questions, after it is taken there is a meeting to discuss the 2 highest and 2 lowest areas, and create action plan to increase the lowest areas. Ms. Goerwitz: How do you measure the suspension rates? Mr. Gelineau: The overall number of suspensions, which is then broken down by groups (low income, students of color, etc.), looked at quarterly, compared with previous year (not previous quarter). Ms. Goerwitz: Would like more information about the AVID program, how many students, what extra services do they get? Mr. Gelineau: 7th & 8th grade program, targets students who are not reaching full potential. Students apply to get into the
AVID program, which will take up to 28 students. Students take 1 AVID class every day, plus a tutorial on how to be independent and collaborate, work on organizational skills. Students also visit colleges (new program). The goal is to have each student take an AP or honors class in high school. Mr. Butler: What are the lessons staff learned from this first cohort moving to the high school? Mr. Gelineau: We recognize the need to keep pushing students, and we can expect more from students. The importance of college visits in motivating students. They can do more than we originally thought.
b. NHS Activities Department Improvement Showcase – Activities Director John Mahal: We work with over 500 families. In our review of last year, goals for learner outcomes & antiracism/spectator behavior were exceeded; family engagement we almost reached goal.Questions: Mr. Butler: Do you have to work extra hours considering the success you’ve had &
increased enrollment? Mr. Mahal: Yes. Jeff Quinnell: What are the pros & cons of being a part of the MN State high school league? Challenges? Mr. Mahal: This has been a learning experience, especially using the transfer portal – transferring from another community, it can be challenging to determine eligibility of each student. Ben Miller: Do you expect the same participation numbers next year? Mr. Mahal: Yes, and we hope to increase. Mr. Miller: Are students requesting assistance with fees? Mr. Mahal: Yes, more this year than last year if trend continues. Mr. Hardy: What would be the positive impact of a new gym (referendum)? Mr. Mahal: It is very tough right now for gym space & practice time. If Q2 passes there will be extra gym spaces, and update the current gym – we currently can’t use it in hot weather, because it gets too wet to use
safely. This will allow more competitions to happen. Ms. Goerwitz: Thanks for reporting on nonsports activities as well as sports. How did questions about connectedness work? Was there a lot of variation in different teams reporting ? Mr. Mahal: There were a couple of places where the score wasn’t as high, and so we would have a discussion with individual coaches on how to adjust & improve. Ms. Goerwitz: What is the total number of students participating in activities? JM: He will find that information for you – some activities are registered under community ed, will contact them to see a fuller picture of participation. Mr. Hardy: How does this success tie in
with fundraising? Has it been an issue? Val Mertesdorf, director of finance: We use many different sources for funding. Fundraising report is a newer requirement, and changes each year. Mr. Mahal: We use a guidance sheet for coaches on fundraising and required reporting. Mr. Butler: Is the message about positive cheers given at all sports? Mr. Mahal: Yes. Mr. Butler: Have you had any feedback on fee increases? Mr. Mahal: None, there have been no questions. Mr. Butler: Do you have updated numbers? Mr. Mahal: Yes, he will provide.
c. LMR Media Update and Contract Extension – Lance Reisetter, LMR, which is also the parent company of NorthfieldLive, streaming athletic events & other activities (151 events last year). Discussed continuing agreement & services with district, creating a plan moving forward. (See https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024.09.09-Board-Packet.pdf for details) LMR wants to create a 5-year plan, rather than renewable 1-year plan, because of the scope of projects (Memorial Field etc.) Will feature signage, repair to dugouts and fences. Showed examples of signage and branding. Questions – Mr. Miller: Appreciates NorthfieldLive streaming service. How does this advertising fit with the policy recently approved? Mr. Reisetter: It does fit, the figures listed will be project total for 5 years. Mr. Miller: What is the estimated price for a new scoreboard? Mr. Reisetter: $450,000, this will be paid off by advertisers. Ms. Goerwitz: She is glad this will produce another revenue source for the district. In a comment on press box mockup, the placement of signage
looks like the advertiser is more important than team, can this be changed? Mr. Reisetter: We will have to consider that the top railing will not take a high wind, and cannot have a large team sign on it. Ms. Goerwitz: Current signs are just logos. Do advertisers want to include more content? Will you have a style manual so they are consistent? We want them to be pleasing to look at, not distracting. Mr. Reisetter: We have a fine line in dealing with advertisers. Utilizing logos and colors gives color to the field. Companies want to use their own logos & colors. Mr. Butler (amplified Ms. Goerwitz’s question). Mr. Reisetter: Signs don’t include phone numbers, just branding/logo. If they want to say “go Raiders” will see about available space. Ms. Goerwitz: You mean, there is no style guide, you just do it as it comes? Mr. Reisetter: This area is not his bailiwick, but his assistant’s. At this point they just use logos. Mr. Hardy: What about business name changes? Mr. Reisetter: Yes, we include a way for the advertiser to buy a new sign. Mr. Hardy: These are all athletic fields, are you looking at any other potential sites? Mr. Reisetter: We have looked at other spaces, but have to start somewhere, so this is what doing now. Dr. Hillmann: We need to get initial projects with most return on investment, most visibility. Then we can start looking at other areas. The district policy will eventually provide a line for places
that are and aren’t appropriate for advertising. These are spaces that the public sees regularly; the equipment is very expensive (scoreboard) and is used only 12-15 times a year. So it is good to be able to use it to generate funding. The board will decide how to use any revenue generated. Mr. Miller: What is the mechanism for directing fund usage? Ms. Mertesdorf: This report Is the culmination of a year’s work; the next step will need to be an initial conversation with the board. Mr. Miller: How does this contract mesh with policy, and the discretion of district? Ms. Mertesdorf: All contracts will be approved by the board. Mr. Miller: Do you have any security concerns? Dr. Hillmann: We haven’t heard any concerns, but will talk with law enforcement to see if they have any suggestions. Mr. Quinnell: NorthfieldLive hosted 151 events last year – good job! What is the best way to access it? Mr. Reisetter: We just began service with YouTube, it is currently at NorthfieldLive.com, and you should should be able to use Roku & other sources. Dr. Hillmann: We need to honor LMR for its work with broadcasting, finding funders & advertisers, working with students who can learn about the broadcasting industry through doing camera work, actual sports broadcasting, and other tasks. Mr. Reisetter: Northfield is at the forefront with this project; other districts are joining after watching Northfield’s coverage. Ms. Mertesdorf summarized the agreement. Ms. Goerwitz: Have we run it by a lawyer? Ms. Mertesdorf: Yes, they found nothing concerning. Mr. Butler: Does the placement of signage affect its value in the press box? Mr. Reisetter: It depends on how the advertiser views it. Dr. Hillmann: This is a project in progress, not completed. We felt it was time to share with board, but it is not a completed project. Ms. Mertesdorf: The LMR contract has moved from a few signs to a larger project, to repair & replace equipment without dipping into the general fund. She feels that LMR has done a lot of due diligence, well worth the 5% fee. Mr. Reisetter is an expert in his field, with a high level of commitment and attention to detail. Mr. Hardy: This is a contract for advertising, is there a separate contract for actual work? Ms. Mertesdorf: There is a statement of work included within this contract, including but not limited to windows, siding, etc. LMR must provide a list of donated assets for our records. Mr. Miller expressed support for Ms. Goerwitz’s comment about signage placement; teams are primary to advertisers. Mr. Reisetter: Yes, the signage will not be intrusive. You are seeing a cropped image of a large field on the slide.
d. Fall 2024 Bond Referendum Update – Dr. Hillmann: There have been 245 total visits to the online property tax calculator, 225 residential and 20 commercial. There has also been 1 agricultural property (separate calculator). We have held 70 referendum-related events, including the Northfield retired educators. There are 6 NHS tours remaining. Upcoming events: tabling at community flag football next week; building tour of Greenvale/NCEC; Youth Council forum; 10/8 & 22 7 p.m. public meetings Q&A, encourage all board members to attend. Thanks to Carleton for $2 million pledge for Question 1. This is the first pledge of its kind in Minnesota (private college donation to public school construction).
Questions: Mr. Butler: Will the flag football be on NorthfieldLive? Dr. Hillmann: Probably, this is the type of event LMR covers.
- Consent Agenda – approved unanimously
a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Personnel Items
- Items for Individual Action
a. Superintendent’s 2024-2025 Focus Areas – as presented at last board meeting. Approved unanimously.
b. Request for additional assistant coach for boys’ cross country, high participation. Dr. Hillmann: This is the same request as last year. Approved unanimously.
- Items for Information
a. Retired Educators’ Luncheon, 10/4 11:30 a.m.
- Future Meetings
a. Monday, September 23, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
b. Monday, October 14, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
c. Monday, October 28, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
- Adjournment at 8:21 p.m.
By Connie Martin, Observer, League of Women Voters
