Observer Report: Northfield Public Schools, 4.14.25

Northfield Public Schools, School Board Meeting
April 14, 2025

1. Call to Order – by Board Chair Claudia Gonzalez-George; board members Corey Butler and Amy Goerwitz absent.
2. Agenda Approval/Table File approved unanimously (see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/5.-Regular-Meeting-Table-File-04.14.2025.pdf )
3. Public Comment – none
4. Announcements and Recognitions
   Dr. Matt Hillmann, Superintendent: Congratulations to two students who qualified for the Business Professionals of America National Leadership competition; two 9th graders who qualified for high school honor band; one student qualified for USA hockey under-17 nationals; 2 students competed in the state speech tournament last weekend; 2 students from NHS Knowledge Bowl team advanced to state competition, and both finished in the top 10 of 48 teams.
5. Items for Discussion and Reports (see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-
   content/uploads/2025.04.14-Board-Packet.pdf )
   • a. Proposed 2025-2026 Debt Service Fund Budget – Presented by Director of Finance Valori Mertesdorf. The reason for decline in both revenue & expenditures in 2024-25 was because the Middle School bond was paid off. There will be an increase next year because the Reimagine High School bond was added. This will be approved at the May 27 board meeting. Questions –none
   • b. Proposed 2025-2026 Internal Service Fund Budget – For health and dental insurance. Income is from insurance premiums paid by the district, employees and retirees; expenses are actual claims and administrative expense. Dental insurance: There has been a gradual decline in enrollment. Premiums will increase 5% for 2025. Health insurance: 448 people signed up for health insurance through this program; they are recommending a 10% premium increase. This will be approved at the May 27 board meeting. Questions – none
   • c. Priority-Based Budget Reduction Recommendations Discussion – Ms. Gonzalez-George requested that board members discuss increase/decrease in specific line items, but that they do not add new line items. She recapped the reasons for these budget reductions, and thanked all participants in the process.
   • Activities packet: Ms. Gonzalez-George asked about Line 1, reduction in shuttle service. Dr. Hillmann: The shuttle will not cover late fall or early spring activities, but the winter athletic season only.
   • District Services packet: Maggie Epstein: Concerning Line 28, the transportation fee, how many families will be affected by this reduction? How will it affect traffic patterns for pickup/dropoff, especially at the elementary schools? Ms. Mertesdorf: We are working with Benjamin Bus Company to get a list of families affected (within 2-mile radius); it is difficult to predict at this point. Ben Miller: How do you measure those 2 miles? Ms. Mertesdorf: 2 miles walking from front door of school to front door of home. Jeff Quinnell: Isn’t the state law that we must transport anyone over 1 mile away? Ms. Mertesdorf: State law is 2 miles. We transport students 1 mile for secondary, .75 mile for elementary. Mr. Miller: In Line 23, how will those two positions be combined? Dr. Hillmann: Those are two full-time substitute positions. Daily substitute teachers will be assigned to cover classes. This system is working better than last year; hopefully each year will be better. It is not fiscally responsible to have 2 full-time sub positions when there are so many other budget cuts. Mr. Miller: What happens when there isn’t a sub available? Dr. Hillmann: We prioritize full-day substitutes at the elementary level first. Administrative assistants can help cover at the secondary level, or other teachers can use their prep hours. It is easier to patch in people at the secondary level. Mr. Miller: The goal is to make sure there is coverage for all classes. Ms. Gonzalez-George: How often do you use both substitutes, and have additional need for coverage? Dr. Hillmann: They work every day, covering 65% teaching positions, 35% education assistant positions. Mr. Quinnell: When we added these positions, we wanted to have consistent qualified substitutes. How is that working? Dr. Hillmann: During COVID our substitute pool was not sufficient, but now it is sufficient again. Mr. Miller: Line 22, Instructional Services, how will these duties be redistributed (due to retirement of director)? Dr. Hillmann said he will lead that team starting next year. They will restructure the position’s duties and responsibilities. Ms. Gonzalez-George: Will that work the same way in the Human Resources department? Dr. Hillmann: No, that employee will return 3 days a week. Dr. Hillmann will lead investigations, the employee will back him up. They are also training principals to take on more of these responsibilities. Ms. Gonzalez-George: Line 34, what is the Studer education grant cut? Dr. Hillmann: This was a partnership with Healthy Communities Initiative. It has been a great program for the past 8 years, but we can no longer afford it. Ms. Gonzalez-George: Line 32, how do you plan to reduce the instructional coaching positions? Dr. Hillmann: One will retire, come back half-time, and focus on math instruction. Mr. Miller: Line 29, how do you reduce the cost of non-instructional software? Ms. Mertesdorf: This can be moved to the capital budget to offset a cost increase.
   • Elementary packet: Jenny Nelson: Do class size targets include special ed, or are they general education classrooms? Dr. Hillmann: They are elementary general education classes only. Caseload guidelines for special ed depend upon specific disabilities and other factors. Ms. Nelson: This does not include Educational Assistants? Dr. Hillmann: This is the licensed teacher/student ratio. Ms. Nelson: How did you arrive at these target class sizes? Dr. Hillmann: We looked at various ratios to hit our budgetary targets, considering smaller or larger classes. We felt this was a “reasonable middle.” Ms. Mertesdorf: We also used data from other districts, and considered four options. Ms. Nelson: These are just targets; what if the numbers are higher next year? She gave examples of current class sizes, and asked how targets will be met if 9 teachers are cut? Dr. Hillmann: Targets are just targets; the reality will be a range. We can move sections from one grade to another, but the total targets will be averages. We can always return to this board to authorize another teacher if need be. Ms. Nelson: Is there concern about violating state guidelines for kindergarten class sizes? Dr. Hillmann: These are not statutory, they are guidelines. Ms. Gonzalez George: Would we consider hiring another adult to work with larger classes? Dr. Hillmann: We have done that in the past, including this year. Ms. Epstein expressed concern about Companeros class sizes. She requested more information at the upcoming work session. Dr. Hillmann: Companeros class sizes are still COVID-impacted. The averages are closer than specific class sizes. Ms. Gonzalez-George: Line 46, does the district own musical instruments & send for repair? Ms. Mertesdorf: Yes. We can get additional support if needed, but we used less than budgeted last year.
   • Secondary packet: Dr. Hillmann explained Line 46, eliminating the high school assistant principal. They are still looking at a part-time dean of students, but are undecided at this time. Mr. Miller: Are Lines 49 & 64 related (cost savings from changing from 7 to 6 period day)? Dr. Hillmann: Yes, and Line 62 also. Ms. Nelson: Concerning Line 49, the proposed middle school schedule, she wants to be sure we are in compliance before going to the board’s workshop day. Is there a consequence/penalty from MDE for not meeting the arts standard? Dr. Hillmann doesn’t recall MDE ever taking action on this type of issue. Director of Instructional Services Hope Langston will provide data on how many districts are meeting standards; it is “shockingly low.” There is no financial penalty. In the Big 9 conference, the new arts requirement has been difficult to meet. Ms. Nelson: Are there areas where these standards would overlap & be easier to meet? Ms. Langston: We try to “bundle” them together across the curriculum. Ms. Epstein: Looking at the Middle School arts schedule, students who are not in music will have trouble meeting the arts requirement. Will art classes have enough time to fill the requirements? Dr. Hillmann: It is the same concern for physical education. Ms. Langston: The quarterly model is common; we need to look at districts that are already doing it successfully. Ms. Epstein wants to see exposure to lots of different arts activities. Mr. Miller: Can you remind us how Line 48 will be implemented [reduce licensed high school teachers by up to 2.7 FTE]? Dr. Hillmann: We are now completing high school registration. There will be fewer sections, and there might be partial FTEs in different areas depending on registrations. FTEs are always created by registration. No course areas will be eliminated if students are registered, but there might be larger class sizes. Mr. Miller: How representative is this year’s registration? Dr. Hillmann: Enrollment changes year to year, by interest areas. Ms. Nelson: On Line 53 [eliminating a high school counselor position because attendance is low], we have sent out letters to families encouraging them to see counselors. How will that work? Greg Gelineau: Counselors connect with families and students, and there are many steps before letters are sent. Ms. Nelson: These letters list counselors, social workers, liaisons. Are social workers and liaisons also full time? Dr. Hillmann: They are .8 at high school, and full time at the middle school. They function as part of a team, with an overall team approach. Ms. Epstein: Will the middle school will be growing in size, was that considered in Lines 53 and 55? Dr. Hillmann: 7-8 years ago the middle school had 1000 students with 2 counselors. Mr. Gelineau: We are as lean as we can get right now. We want to minimize the impact to classrooms. Mr. Miller: When were the additional counselors added to the middle and high schools? Dr. Hillmann: In 2021, one was added at the middle school, one at high school, and one at ALC. Mr. Miller: There is no consistent way that districts measure attendance? Director of Instructional Services Hope Langston: There is no consistent coding throughout the state on attendance. Dr. Hillmann: Our district tried to align coding between buildings, but each district codes information differently. Ms. Langston: The state says it was disrupted by Covid. Mr. Miller: Lines 76 and 76A say we will maintain 3 nurses and 3 health aides? Dr. Hillmann: Community feedback prompted us to look at different options, so we suggested on line 76A to allow a licensed nurse in each building. This will build a “stable” of nurse substitutes. Mr. Miller: With a total reduction of $6 million, how will that affect nurses? Ms. Mertesdorf doesn’t have exact numbers here; she will get them to you. There are many variables. Mr. Miller: Will there be a reduction in state funding for special education? Ms. Mertesdorf: The state is still determining that; it is not finalized. Mr. Miller: Can you bring options to the work session? Dr. Hillmann: We will bring a chart of options. The goal for the work session is to have all the information you need to come to a decision. At the decision meeting (May 27) we will take each package as a consent agenda, and can remove individual line items for discussion and vote. Ms. Nelson: The work session starts at 5:00. Do we just meet until finished? Dr. Hillmann: We usually have 2-hour segments, but can go longer.
6. Consent Agenda – approved unanimously (see https://northfieldschools.org/wp-
   content/uploads/2025.04.14-Board-Packet.pdf)

a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Overnight Field Trip Request
d. Grant Application
e. Personnel Items

7. Items for Individual Action – passed unanimously

a. Policy Committee Recommendation (see board packet https://northfieldschools.org/wp-
content/uploads/2025.04.14-Board-Packet.pdf )

8. Items for Information
   a. Construction Update No. 8, presentation of progress will be at the May 12 meeting. We are coordinating with the City. We have received $1 million from Carleton College, half of their promised contribution.
   b. Enrollment Report – in board packet. Enrollment increase over the last month, especially at ALC.
   c. Board Work Session – Tuesday April 22
9. Future Meetings
   a. Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 5:00 p.m., Board Work Session, Northfield DO Boardroom
   b. Monday, April 28, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
   c. Monday, May 12, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
   d. *Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
   *Note that Monday, May 26, 2025 is Memorial Day
10. Adjournment at 7:38 p.m.
    Submitted by Connie Martin, Observer, League of Women Voters