Northfield Public Schools, School Board Meeting
November 12, 2024
- Call to Order – Board Chair Claudia Gonzalez George called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All members present except Ben Miller (absent) and Jenny Nelson (late).
- Agenda Approval/Table File – Agenda & table file, including Resolution Canvassing Returns of Votes of School District General Election approved as presented. (See https://northfieldschools.org/wpcontent/uploads/Regular-Meeting-Table-File-11.12.2024.pdf )
- Public Comment – none
- Announcements and Recognitions –
a. Minnesota Community Education – Kari Gorr, Minnesota Community Education Association Board Member for Region 5, presented the 2024 Most Supportive Administrator of the Year Award to Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann.
Ms. Gorr also presented the Minnesota Community Education Association Project Award for The Grove (indoor play space at the NCEC). ECFE Teacher Libby Stanton, Hand in Hand Special Education Teacher Kyle Roth, and Director of Community Education Erin Bailey accepted the award.
b. MSBA Honor Roll – Board members Claudia Gonzalez George and Amy Goerwitz will receive the MSBA Directors Award in January, for attending an exemplary number of MSBA training sessions, showing their commitment as school board members.
c. Ms. Goerwitz, Ben Miller, and Jenny Nelson have earned leadership awards for completing all four MSBA leadership training sessions. .
d. In January Ms. Gonzalez George will receive the Rising Star Award from the MSBA.
e. Sesquicentennial Minute by Dr. Hillmann – The first high school yearbook was published in 1916.
Dr. Hillmann also read a paragraph about the first annual meeting of electors from the
Northfield News. At that time a quorum (25 citizens) from the community had to meet annually to certify elections. - Items for Discussion and Reports
a. School Resource Officer Agreement – Will be in consent agenda at next meeting. The only changes from previous agreements are to standardize contract for payment (see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024.11.12-Board-Packet.pdf )
Discussion – Ms. Goerwitz: Thank you for putting job responsibilities in categories, it is easier to understand. There is also more clarity in training and cultural competency. If we have a new officer, must they complete training before they start? Dr. Hillmann: In the past they have completed part of training. Not sure how that will work with new state requirements, still under development. Ms. Goerwitz: Under the “hold harmless, indemnification clause”, what happens if the officer is being sued by a parent? Who holds who harmless? Dr. Hillmann: That depends on who is being taken to court. The clause itself hasn’t changed. Rob Hardy found a typo. Corey Butler thanked city & administration for working this out, and asked about timeline. Dr. Hillmann: This is a calendar year agreement, not a fiscal year contract. Ms. Gonzalez George: Glad the contract reflects district culture. Mr. Butler: This contract is more readable & understandable than before.
b. Policies for approval – All proposed changes reflect new legislation. The purpose statement is being adapted to reflect the strategic plan. See https://northfieldschools.org/wpcontent/uploads/2024.11.12-Board-Packet.pdf )
Questions – Ms. Goerwitz: Policy 535, is this policy in reference to equity? Dr. Hillmann: Yes. Ms. Goerwitz: Why is Policy 532 only for students with IEPs? Dr. Hillmann: It reflects legislation about students with disabilities, not other students. Ms. Goerwitz: Is there a similar policy for students without IEPs? Dr. Hillman doesn’t think so. Ms. Goerwitz thinks it could apply to any student.
c. Bond referendum wrap up – Dr. Hillmann thanked citizens for their support in the election. The next step is forming oversight teams. The district will use the same firms as for the 2018 bonding & design. Following sequence of planning: (1) form core planning team, (2) user groups, (3) prepare for bids. He also thanked Carleton College & President Allison Byerly for their unique gift and opportunity.
Ms. Gonzalez George also expressed gratitude to the community for its support. Ms. Goerwitz expressed gratitude to the community, and to Dr. Hillmann and staff for their work on informing the community prior to referendum. Dr. Hillmann then recognized the District Youth Council members for their activity & support.
Ms. Gonzalez George: Will there be one core planning for entire project, or more than one? Dr. Hillmann said that is not finalized yet. - Consent Agenda – approved unanimously (https://northfieldschools.org/wpcontent/uploads/Regular-Meeting-Table-File-11.12.2024.pdf )
a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Personnel Items - Items for Individual Action –
a. Resolution Canvassing the Results of the Nov. 5, 2024 School Board election (See
https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024-Election-Abstract-and-Resolutions11.12.2024.pdf ) Questions – none. Approved unanimously on roll call vote.
b. Resolution Authorizing Issuance of Certificates of Election and Directing School District Clerk to Perform Other Election Duties. Questions – none. Approved unanimously on roll call vote.
c. Resolution Relating to Canvassing Returns of the November 5, 2024 Special Election. Questions – none. Approved unanimously on roll call vote. - Items for Information
a. Enrollment Options and History Reports, Val Mertesdorf, Director of Finance. They are seeing an increase in the number of students attending through open enrollment. The district is still losing students overall, but open enrollment is gaining. Dr. Hillmann: Specifically, Prairie Creek has open-enrolled 4 more, and Arcadia 6 more (both charter schools). There is an increase in the number of home school students, but a decrease in the total number of families. They are still learning the reasons people choose different schools.
Questions – Ms. Goerwitz: How does this tracking work? How do we know what students did before? Ms. Mertesdorf: The state has a robust tracking system through the department of education. Dr. Hillmann: Homeschool families must submit a form of intent to homeschool.
Jenny Nelson: How many of the open enrollment total students are attending the Alternative Learning Center? Ms. Mertesdorf will get that information (non-district residents attending ALC). Dr. Hillmann: It was a significant number until last year, but is less now.
b. Enrollment Report – Dr. Hillmann: This will be a monthly report. At this point the district is 21 students behind projections (last year it was ahead of projections). Class sizes haven’t changed significantly.
Questions – none
c. American Education Week – Nov. 18-22, celebrating public education. - Future Meetings
a. Monday, November 25, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
b. Monday, December 9, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
c. Monday, January 13, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Organizational Board Meeting followed by the Regular
Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom - Adjournment at 6:52 p.m.
By Connie Martin, Observer, League of Women Voters
