Observer Report: Northfield School Board, 2.24.25

Northfield Public Schools, School Board Meeting

February 24, 2025

1. Call to Order – Claudia Gonzalez George called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Amy Goerwitz and Ben Miller absent, all other board members present.
2. Agenda Approval/Table File approved as presented (see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/5.-Regular-Meeting-Table-File-02.24.2025.pdf )
3. Public Comment – none
4. Announcements and Recognitions
   1. Northfield Future Farmers of America – Congratulations to Northfield FFA chapter, which has only been active for a short time after 35 years of inactivity. The Northfield chapter has several recognitions at the state level.
   2. NHS senior Soren Powers advanced to National Merit Scholar finalist.
   3. High School Wrestling – two girls and seven boys will advance to the state meet.
   4. This week is Public Schools Week, honoring teachers and staff.
5. Items for Discussion and Reports
   1. Priority-Based Budget Reduction Process Update – Dr. Hillmann and Director of Finance Valori Mertesdorf updated the board. Community budget committees met for the second time; 85 people are involved, including community members, and students. Tomorrow will be their final meeting to arrive at consensus on the budget. Then the administration will formalize the proposed reductions, and will share with community. Board will vote on this budget on April 28. Many community members have come up with creative ideas, and demonstrated a lot of passion about schools.
   2. Questions – Corey Butler: Will the initial proposal be shown at the March 11 community meeting? Dr. Hillmann: The board will see it first, then staff, then the larger community. Mr. Butler: What is the date? Dr. Hillmann: We don’t have a specific date yet, and will let you know 5-7 days ahead of time. Maggie Epstein: How could citizens take a more active role in asking the state for funding? Dr. Hillmann: We have an active committee for legislative action in Northfield, which meets weekly. Every week we publish a call to action for committee members.
6. Committee Reports
   1. Cannon Valley Special Education Cooperative (CVSEC) Report. Board member Mr. Butler wrote the report, did not present a verbal summary. (See https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2025.02.24-Regular-Board-Packet.pdf )
7. Consent Agenda – Jenny Nelson requested removal of item 7b for separate consideration. Approved as amended, 7b added to Items for Individual Action, as item f.
   1. Minutes
   2. Policy 522: Title IX Sex Nondiscrimination Policy, Grievance Procedure and Process
   3. Gift Agreements
   4. Financial Reports
   5. Overnight Field Trip Request
   6. Personnel Items
8. Items for Individual Action
   1. 2025-2026 Operating Capital and Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Budget – Discussion none. Approved unanimously.
   2. Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Ten Year and Indoor Air Quality Management Plan – approved unanimously.
   3. Resolution Relating to General Obligation School Building Bonds, Series 2025A: Authorizing Issuance, Awarding Sale, Prescribing the Form and Details and Providing for the Payment Thereof. This bond sale took place today; the report is in the Table File
      1. Discussion – Jeff Quinnell: What will the interest rate be? Shelby McQuade from Ehlers reported: We anticipated a 5% rate, and it actually was 3.97%, which is much better. $39 million in bonds were sold, enough to get started for the first phase of construction. Funds will be available on March 20. This interest reduction will mean about $8 million in savings. JP Morgan was the final bidder. We received an AA rating. All information is in the sale day report, included in the Table File.
      2. Questions – Dr. Hillmann: All preceding documents reflected the anticipated 5% interest rate, so 3.97 will be very good for taxpayers. Approved unanimously on roll call vote.
   4. Change Order Procedures for the NHS ReImagine Project –
      1. Discussion – Mr. Quinnell: How does the “tiering” work? Dr. Hillmann: There are levels of approval required for each change in construction, depending on the cost of the change. Any changes approved will be reported at the following board meeting. Approved unanimously
   5. Policy Committee Recommendations – as presented last meeting (February 10). Discussion – none. Approved unanimously
   6. From Consent Agenda, Policy 522: Title IX Sex Nondiscrimination Policy, Grievance Procedure and Process. District recommends reverting policy to the 2022 version in order to comply with a January 2025 court ruling that vacated 2024 Title IX rules.
   7. Discussion – Ms. Nelson: Will the accompanying policy statement be revised as well? Dr. Hillmann: It will revert back to similar documents in the previous policy. Ms. Nelson: Concerned about complaint form that serves two policies. Dr. Hillmann: Will check to make sure the complaint form reverts to previous version. Ms. Nelson: Will that be the same process for student citizenship handbook? Because it contains the same contradiction unless it is also revised. Dr. Hillmann: Did you see a difference? Ms. Nelson: Yes, a direct contradiction to this proposed policy. Dr. Hillmann: The Student Citizenship Handbook will come back to the board for approval. Procedural documents such as complaint documents do not need to be board approved. He will take another look at it. Mr. Quinnell: Ms. Nelson, it looks like these documents were contradicting themselves. Are you OK with this procedure for correcting them? Ms. Nelson: Yes, if they align with each other. Dr. Hillmann: This is a good example of how policy must align with publications (Student Citizenship Handbook). Policy must supersede publications. 2024 rules were vacated by legislature, schools must revert to the 2022 rules. Approved unanimously
9. Items for Information
   1. Construction Update No. 6 – This update is included in the board packet. Dr. Hillmann had no further comment and will let the report stand as printed. American Indian Parent Advisory Committee Vote of Concurrence – Dr. Hillmann reported. The state requires that this committee must vote on whether or not the district is meeting the needs of their students (compliance). The committee did vote that the district is meeting their students’ needs and is in compliance. This is their report to the board.
10. Future Meetings
    1. Monday, March 10, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
    2. Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Priority Based Budget Process Public Input Meeting, NHS Auditorium
    3. Monday, April 14, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
    4. Monday, April 28, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom

Adjournment at 6:36 p.m.

Submitted by Connie Martin, Observer, League of Women Voters