Northfield Public Schools, School Board Meeting November 25, 2024
1. Call to Order – Board Chair Claudia Gonzalez George called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All board members present.
2. Agenda Approval/Table File – Agenda & table file approved as presented. (See https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/5.-Regular-Meeting-Table-File-12.09.2024.pdf )
3. Public Comment – Ms. Gonzalez George read a statement about Truth in Taxation public comments in addition to regular public comments.
Andy Thurheer commented on the way colleges update their buildings for better performance and maintenance. Can we use this process to improve buildings owned by district? Wants to see more specific plans for high performance in buildings.
4. Announcements and Recognitions –
Dr. Hillmann presented the “Sesquicentennial minute,” honoring Noel and Lois Stratmoen. Noel Stratmoen was elected to the School Board in 1980 and has served to the present, 12 terms. He also thanked Rob Hardy, who has recently filled in during Stratmoen’s illness. Mr. Hardy read a poem he composed honoring Mr. Stratmoen. Dec. 10 was declared Noel Stratmoen Day in the schools. Dr. Hillmann also made a presentation honoring Mr. Stratmoen. Board members Amy Goerwitz, Jeff Quinnell, Jenny Nelson, Ben Miller, Corey Butler, and Ms. Gonzalez George all thanked Mr. Stratmoen for his service. He then expressed his pride in the district, and thanked the board for their service.
Ms. Goerwitz announced that Bob Gregory Bjorklund of the high school theater dept. recently received Northfield’s Living Treasure Award.
5. Items for Discussion and Reports
a. Truth in Taxation Presentation for the Payable 2025 Property Tax Levy and Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 General Fund Budget Revision, Followed by Public Comment
Director of Finance Valori Mertesdorf presented the property tax levy, which comprises 25% of the budget. The levy also provides revenue for debt service, and fills in the chronic gap from state funding. This year’s large increase is due to construction (debt service). General Fund Budget revisions include updated enrollment figures, grants, and federal funding changes. Expenditures were up, enrollment is still decreasing. The next step is an updated financial forecast in January. She reported continued financial stability, the district’s position of strength, and a culture of stewardship in school district.
Taxpayer public comment – none
Board members – Ms. Goerwitz: What are “tuition billing costs”? Ms. Mertesdorf: Part of the special education calculation, which are charged back to each district for students who attend other districts than they reside in. Ms. Goerwitz: Does the state handle this? Ms. Mertesdorf: Yes, it was part of the reduction in our revenue from state. Now federal dollars are offsetting this expense. Mr. Butler: 73% of voters supported the school district. Ms.Nelson: What are workers comp savings? Ms. Mertesdorf: The district got an estimate from another vendor, which was $100,000 less than current carrier. Ms. Nelson: Do we usually seek out other bids? Ms. Mertesdorf: Not always; we use a broker. The workers comp carrier has been the same for awhile, and it was suggested that we look for other estimates. Mr. Miller: What is the relationship between the rising residential estimated market value and the tax levy? Ms. Mertesdorf: The market value increase includes not only residential estimates, but also new businesses. We haven’t received updated tax estimates yet. Mr. Miller: Why is there a decrease in long-term maintenance costs? Ms. Mertesdorf: We are receiving more state aid for that category. Mr. Miller: Enrollment increase/decrease? Ms. Mertesdorf: A decrease in earlier grades, but increase in grades 7-12. Mr. Miller: What are the top 3 expenditure increases? Ms. Mertesdorf: Employee benefits (including severance), special education transportation, and staffing changes. Mr. Quinnell: The middle school construction now coming off rolls. How is that reflected here? Ms. Mertesdorf: The final debt bond will be paid in February. The biggest change was in Pay 24 levy, and that was offset by the new debt service.
b. FY2024 Audit Results and Presentation – Ben Johnson, from firm CLA. (see Board Packet https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024.12.09-Board-Packet.pdf ) The district had a “clean” audit, with no issues. There were also no compliance issues for federal programs. Compared with other districts, Northfield is spending less on administration/student, and more on actual education & special ed per student.
Questions – Mr. Miller: This positive audit presentation reflects Ms. Mertesdorf’s budget presentation. This is the 6th consecutive year of clean audits. Ms. Goerwitz: What is the special education spending calculation? Mr. Johnson: This includes all students, not just special ed. Ms. Goerwitz: But this reflects all students? Mr. Johnson: Some districts use a coop; this graph is less comparable to other districts, because different districts have different solutions for special ed. Ms. Goerwitz: We had one year of a “technicality”; so how many actual years of clean audits have we had? Ms. Mertesdorf will find out. Mr. Butler: Only 5% of their clients have clean audits. Are these comparison rates created using the industry standard? Mr. Johnson: We use the state classifications & numbers. Mr. Butler: This looks very positive compared with other similar districts.
c. 2024-25 Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness (CACR) Goals – Hope Langston, Director of Instructional Services, presented the district’s new goals. The 2024 legislature changed educational goals from World’s Best Workforce (WBWF) to Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness (CACR), because these are more holistic measures. The district worked with Northfield Forward to evaluate and implement goals. The Board needs to establish an advisory committee, and create a multi-year plan using the 5 CACR goals. (See https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024.12.09-Board-Packet.pdf ) There are now 5 CACR goals, while 4 were on WBWF. The 5th (new) goal is to prepare students to be lifelong learners. They will begin to pull together data on student activities, work, and classes outside of school. School district benchmarks already align well with CACR goals.
Questions: Mr. Hardy asked about the data points “on track to graduate” and “graduation rate”. Ms. Langston: These should be very close. They include both the ALC and the high school. Ms. Gonzalez George rephrased the same question, and Mr. Miller asked if it is the same measure for both goals? If so, is the MDE OK with that? Ms. Langston said they will take out 12th grade in the “on track” goal, and revisit wording. The overall goal is to intervene as soon as possible with students who are not ready for graduation. Mr. Miller: Will MDE publish how schools perform on these goals? Ms. Langston: No, she looks at reports from similar school districts (sample across state). There is no central reporting of results. Dr. Hillmann: They are really two different goals, and are addressed with different data, but they can dovetail together. We need to further align state goals with our goals, and simplify & provide clarity. Ms. Langston: Some things beyond our control affect graduation rates, such as students who stay beyond the age of 18, and students who transfer in or out of the district. Also 3rd grade reading was not included in this program, but is still important to us as a district. Ms. Nelson: Wouldn’t it be easier if MDE could separate these goals (career/college readiness)? But the state requires them, and gives parameters we must stay within. Ms. Langston: It was extremely valuable to have high school students on the Northfield Forward Committee for feedback. Ms. Goerwitz supports Dr. Hillmann’s use of 12th grade half-year data instead of graduation rate for all measures. Do we compare individual names to learn who is at risk? Ms. Langston: Yes, name by name; at-risk students’ names are sent to individual schools. This requires very careful tracking. Ms. Goerwitz: Do we have names of students who transfer in from the MDE? Ms. Langston: No, we receive them from MDE after the fact, so we track them ourselves .Mr. Quinnell thinks it would be better to say that the district gives students 100% of what they need to graduate, rather than looking for a 95% graduation rate. How do we keep students encouraged enough to finish, especially students facing special challenges? Ms. Langston: There are 4 categories of students who can count against graduation rates, including many of those at ALC. Dr. Hillmann: A new state law change allows kids to stay in high school until the age of 22 (formerly 21). He looks at 5-, 6-, and 7-year graduation rates to allow for challenges to student graduation. The ALC continues to get its students to graduation. He also highlighted the NCEC’s work to help students graduate. Ms. Goerwitz: How does this system work with outgoing exchange students? Ms. Langston: They are still in their graduation cohort, but it depends on the individual student. We let students know what they need to do in order to graduate on time. Mr. Hardy finds all these acronyms confusing!
d. Policy Committee Recommendations will be item for action at next board meeting. (See https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024.12.09-Board-Packet.pdf) Dr. Hillmann: Most policy changes connect policies to the strategic plan. Ms. Nelson asked why union representation was added to a policy? Dr. Hillmann: Employees have a right to union representation if there is a possibility of discipline. This is to ensure fair due process. Ms. Nelson: Why is one section underlined? Dr. Hillmann: It is underlined to provide a hyperlink to larger document about chain of responsibility. Ms. Goerwitz: In Policy 405, the purpose is suggested as “political subdivisions”; can it be changed to “geopolitical”? We are talking about geographic regions, not political subdivisions. Dr. Hillmann: This is a veterans’ policy, and may use statutory language. He will check on the source of this language before adjusting. Ms. Gonzalez George: It might be helpful to add a paragraph on definitions?
e. 2024-25 Superintendent Focus Area No. 1 – Congratulations to math teachers; 66 teachers participated in lab days in November, observing other teachers & giving feedback. Focus Area 2, working with local businesses, and providing work opportunities. 56 students visited potential local workplaces. The district conducted Latino parent engagement event in October, is currently working with Indigenous students & parents, and will meet with Black parents in January. They also have a new podcast in cooperation with KYMN.
Questions – Ms. Goerwitz: What is the “Advanced leadership academy”? Dr. Hillmann: Sponsored by the Minnesota Superintendents’ Association, it is a national certification program for 3 different cohorts: Aspiring superintendents, mid-career superintendents, and long-term superintendents. The 15-month program just held its first session, on AI. Ms. Nelson: What do “pathways” mean in work-base learning program? Dr. Hillmann: At this time, we need to add a teacher for work-base general education program, with a leader certified by the state (currently we have only one for special ed). We need to expand licensed staff to oversee this program. Ms. Nelson: Are there 3 focus areas, 4 sessions? On leadership culture & decision-making management? Dr. Hillmann: Yes. Ms. Nelson: Can this professional development be taken to the state level? Dr. Hillmann: They can use this training for continuing education credits to renew licenses. These will not be limited to teachers; we need leadership training in many areas of district so it will be open to other employees. Ms. Nelson: Will teachers receive credit at both the local and state levels? Dr. Hillmann: Yes, although this is not yet formally approved. Mr. Hardy: Does the district’s new podcast meet a district benchmark? Do we know about audience reactions? Dr. Hillmann: There is no data yet since it is so new, but we will get it very soon. It is another way to expose families to a wider variety of district employees.
f. Construction Update No. 2 – Dr. Hillmann: We are still setting up processes. (1) We just closed the application last night for planning committees. About 65 people have applied for different positions. There will be a “Hopes & Dreams” session Dec. 17, to get citizen feedback. Notifications midweek for committees. (2) We just hired a team to do site survey. We are also using Xcel Energy’s design assistance program, which provides support on building design, and will then provide substantial rebates for sustainable & efficient design.
Questions – Mr. Hardy noticed drilling at Carleton for their geothermal system. Can we piggyback on that? Dr. Hillmann: Yes, Wold Architects is working with Carleton to observe the test wells being drilled. The district is looking for a vendor to do test drilling; the City has provided $20,000 for test wells, but we haven’t been able to find a vendor until spring.
6. Consent Agenda – approved unanimously
a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Personnel Items
7. Items for Individual Action –
a. Certify Final 2024 Payable 2025 Tax Levy – approved unanimously
b. Fiscal Year 2024-2025 General Fund Budget Revision – approved unanimously
8. Items for Information –
a. Enrollment Report for December: Dr. Hillmann presented a report on overall enrollment & individual class sizes.
Questions – Mr. Miller: What does “C” mean on this chart? Dr Hillmann: Companeros. Ms. Goerwitz: Has Greenvale’s general enrollment gone up since the new school opened? Dr. Hillmann will have to get data. Greenvale used to be the smallest elementary school, but now Spring Creek is the smallest.
b. Dec. 2 District Committee Meeting Recap – Dr. Hillmann: We held a “multi committee” night for the first time, with 7 committees meeting at the same time, for efficiency & cross-pollination. People felt it was useful, and an estimated 70-80 people attended. Next meeting will be March 3.
9. Future Meetings
a. Monday, January 13, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Organizational Board Meeting followed by the Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
b. Monday, January 27, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom Ms. Gonzalez George thanked Rob Hardy for his service as a temporary board member.
10. Adjournment at 8:32 p.m.
Submitted by Connie Martin, Observer, League of Women Voters
