Northfield Public Schools, School Board Meeting
May 27, 2025
- Call to Order – by Claudia Gonzalez-George at 6:00 p.m., Jenny Nelson, Maggie Epstein absent; all other board members present
- Agenda Approval/Table File – approved unanimously. (See https://northfieldschools.org/wpcontent/uploads/2025.05.27-Board-Packet.pdf , https://northfieldschools.org/wpcontent/uploads/5.-Regular-Meeting-Table-File-05.27.2025.pdf )
- Public Comment –
a. A parent spoke whose daughter had been bullied at school. She feels the district lacks meaningful discipline, exhibiting a failure in leadership. She also mentioned other allegationsand asked for consistent discipline and reporting.
b. A high school student reported feeling picked on, scared and suicidal.
c. A second parent reported that her daughter had been physically assaulted twice. She discussed the incident with the principal but is unsatisfied with the results. She believes the system needs to change. - Announcements and Recognitions –
a. Greenvale environmental education day.
b. Elementary schools welcomed the NHS senior class of 2025 to march through each elementary school.
c. Several NHS students participated in the Business Professionals of America leadership conference.
d. Bridgewater Booster Club raised $74,000. - Items for Discussion and Reports –
a. District Youth Council 2024-2025 Recap – The board honored graduating seniors, then seniors presented a recap of this school year (see board packet, https://northfieldschools.org/wpcontent/uploads/2025.05.27-Board-Packet.pdf ). Board comments – Ben Miller thanked DYC members for their participation. Amy Goerwitz thanked students for their helpful feedback.
b. Proposed 2024-25 and 2025-26 Construction Budgets – For board action at June 9 meeting. Finance Director Valori Mertesdorf presented the revised construction fund (see board packet).
Questions – Ms. Goerwitz: On the “draw” schedule, do you draw the gross or net billing
amount? Ms. Mertesdorf: All monies stay invested until needed.
c. Proposed 2025-26 General Fund Budget – Action item on June 9. Ms. Mertesdorf: This budget is complex, with reduced income due to declining enrollment (see chart
https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2025.05.27-Board-Packet.pdf) . Special education funding may change with the new package from the legislature, but that is not clear yet, so it is the same in this budget. There has been a substantial decline in federal funding since 2022-23, which has been offset by state special education funding increase. Expenditures: The district is currently in negotiations with the teachers’ union. For the total budget, the district is in a strong position because of the recent cuts based on community involvement and feedback. State & federal cuts do not look promising; hopefully the district can respond instead of cutting any more.
Questions – Corey Butler: What about summer unemployment insurance? Ms. Mertesdorf: The state added some funding; hopefully it will last 2 years. Cost is going up because people are more aware and accessing this insurance. Mr. Butler: Why are there differences between years 1 & 2? Ms. Mertesdorf: They are pro-rated based on availability of funds. Mr. Miller: How much of the budget is still undetermined by the ongoing special session of legislature? Ms. Mertesdorf: Maybe 25% of revenue? She is also concerned about more unfunded mandates on the expenditure side. Mr. Miller: How will we manage that? Dr. Hillmann: Special sessions have happened only twice in the last 20 years. Our goal is not to have to borrow any money. We currently have about 6 weeks of reserve funding. Hopefully the special session will not last that
long. Mr. Miller: Will revenue from the transportation fee add up to $100,000? Ms. Mertesdorf: Yes. Mr. Miller: Is that lower than anticipated? Ms. Mertesdorf: No, it is very close. The fee of $250/student is capped at $500 per family. Dr. Hillmann: What about kindergarten enrollment? Ms. Mertesdorf: It is difficult to estimate enrollment for kindergarten because there is not a grade level feeding into it. We estimate 9 FTE will be needed. Two schools will need an additional FTE to maintain smaller class size.
d. Sale of District Property Contract Extension – Dr. Hillmann: The board approved the sale of a small piece of property in Dundas. It is taking longer than anticipated, so the buyer is asking to extend the purchase agreement. The buyer will get an additional appraisal. Questions – Ms. Gonzales-George: Is anyone else interested in this property? Dr. Hillmann: No. e. Benjamin Bus Contract One-Year Extension – Action item on June 9. Ms. Mertesdorf: We are in the process of negotiating a new contract, and don’t want to rush or pressure those negotiations. An extension will provide the same contract with a 2% increase. They are looking at special ed routes, aides on buses, and other questions. Questions – none - Committee Reports – none
- Consent Agenda – see table file for additions (https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/5.-
Regular-Meeting-Table-File-05.27.2025.pdf )
a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Personnel Items - Items for Individual Action –
a. Revised 2024-25 Child Nutrition Fund Budget – passed unanimously
b. Revised 2024-25 Community Education Fund Budget – passed unanimously
c. Policy Committee Recommendations – see https://northfieldschools.org/wpcontent/uploads/2025.05.27-Board-Packet.pdf – Audience member tried to interrupt meeting,
Board Chair Gonzalez-George called for order (audience is only allowed to speak during public
comment section at beginning of the meeting). Discussion: none. Passed unanimously. - Items for Information
a. Construction Update No. 10 – Dr. Hillmann. Information in board packet
(https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2025.05.27-Board-Packet.pdf). Questions –
none
b. Graduation Reminder – ALC graduation will be on May 30; NHS graduation will be held this
Sunday. The board will gather at 1:30. - Future Meetings
a. Thursday, May 29, 2025, 5:00 p.m., Closed Board Session, Northfield DO Board Room. This
meeting will be closed as permitted by Minnesota Statute 13D.03 to discuss labor negotiations.
b. Monday, June 9, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
c. Monday, July 14, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
d. Monday, August 11, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom - Adjournment at 7:06 p.m.
Submitted by Connie Martin, Observer, League of Women Voters
