INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 659
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday, July 14, 2025 ~ 6:00 p.m. ~ Regular Board Meeting
Northfield District Office Boardroom
AGENDA
- Call to Order The chair, Ms. Gonzales-George called the meeting to order at 6:00 All
members were present. - Agenda Approval/Table File -Dr. Hillmann shared a few minor changes in the agenda.
No questions were asked and agenda was approved. - Public Comment; Rules were read by the chair. A parent spoke and shared she had
children who graduated in previous years. She presented a student pledge she found in
her children’s things that had to do with violence. She has talked to HCI regarding the
importance of gun violence education. She mentioned the “Be Smart” parent education
program and information was given in the board packets. This program helps educate
the students to be responsible for their safety. This parent will continue to come to the
board most every month to share her concerns. - Announcements and Recognitions: Dr. Hillmann announced items for celebration
which can be found in the notes. They included, Rosie a volunteer who works with
English Language learners, and the Northfield skeet team’s very high finish at the state
tournament. Thirty-three middle school students are at Eagle Bluff currently and staff
and volunteers were announced and thanked. The Northfield FFA received a $5,000
donation. Mr. Chris Dibble the new High School Principal was introduced this evening.
Over 50 individuals were involved in his hiring. He thanked district for the welcome and
looks forward to meeting staff and those in the community in the coming weeks. - Items for Discussion and Reports
a. LMR Media Advertising Update and Proposed District Advertising Revenue Allocation
Procedures: Mr. Lance Reisetter from LMR, spoke and presented information via a slide
show. Facility improvements include the Press Box being updated, the Varsity Baseball
and Softball fields were also upgraded. Fences and dugouts repaired. Sponsored
updates include money from NCC Builders, and others. Looking ahead, there has been
due diligence on a new video board for Memorial Field. Businesses will have an
opportunity to bid on Naming rights. Net revenue and costs were presented. Ms.
Mertesdorf added information regarding the costs of digital score board and will be
asking for a firm commitment from the board for the 26-27 budget year. It will come to a
vote from the board at the next meeting. Ms. Goerwitz asked a question about the score
board and questioned if there could be a scrolling sign on the back welcoming the other
teams. Mr. Butler inquired about the expected 5-year payback and what specific
activities will benefit the programs after the general fund is paid back. Mr. Miller then
asked about any comparisons from other districts and other companies. He also asked
about the life span of a board. The response was that the company has been in the
business for a long time but Mr. Reisetter was unsure about the life span as most
districts have only had them for a few years. There is a warranty on the board once
purchased. Ms. Epstein raised a question about the costs over the ensuing years. The
districts insurance will cover the board as it is on school property. Dr. Hillmann reported
that the board has been charged with finding new revenue streams, this would be an
example of creating a new stream which can help offset the cost of general activities.
b. Attendance Report-Carrie Duba and Melissa Hanson presented on the work and
progress regarding attendance. The stated goal is that more than 90% of students are
present daily. The attendance data collected showed that attendance out performs the
state in every building. The trends are improving with regard to Chronic absenteeism.
They have worked towards clarifying the definition of attendance and how it is measured
across departments and schools. They developed a reason code edit for consistency in
order to identify patterns. Both the High School and Bridgewater (first school to have met
the goal) made most significant gains. Students who had a mentor made the most gains.
They also worked on clearly communicating expectations by revisions in the District
Handbook, sharing and acting on data, setting and sharing expectations. Next steps
were shared. Questions from the board included what specific ways families will be
contacted (i.e. talking point messages). Another question addressed that if once the
chronically absent student’s attendance improved, did their grades improve as well? Mr.
Butler asked about the reduction of 150 students and how that figure changes? Ms.
Nelson asked about the number of students who had a mentor (130). Students who
reached 90% attendance, came off the mentor program and others were added. Ms.
Epstein asked about what parent requests or personal absences were. The answer was
a variety of reasons from family sporting activities and vacations to haircuts. Mr. Miller
asked a clarifying question with regard to one of the slides on improvement rate. He
additionally asked for the definition of Chronically Absent in which the answer was,
missing more than 10% of school days or about 2 days per month. Ms. Gonzales-
George asked if the students knew which staff was their mentor and the answer was no.
This will change for the next year. The Carleton statistic group helped with data analysis.
c. Annual Safety Drill Report- An updated document on required drills was included in
the packet. The language has changed somewhat and how the drills are conducted. All
classrooms can be locked from the inside without a key. Each school has an evacuation
site near their schools. And should it be necessary, St. Olaf has agreed to be a final
reunification place for the district. What do we do to prevent violence? There is a list with
many different items that are in place. District staff are trained in prevention.
Investigations are conducted by a team including a home visit by law enforcement. The
district practices a tiered threat system. Questions: Are the practice drills announced?
Some are scheduled and staff are notified. There are no fire alarm pull stations in the
schools. Each school has an evacuation site near their schools. There is a
comprehensive plan which will be presented to administration and staff. Dr. Hillmann
commented on the impact drills can have on concern and mental health for kids and
families.
d. Policy Committee Recommendations- Numerous policies up for review. Not acted
upon by the board at this meeting. Every policy is reviewed at least every 5 years. He
highlighted a few of the policy changes related to our reporting policies (4 different types
of reports) and staff will now have a checklist.
- Consent Agenda: The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Fiscal Year Organization Actions
d. Memberships for 2025-2026
e. Recreation Agreement 2025-2028
f. Personnel Items - Items for Individual Action
a. Policy Committee Recommendations (District Discipline policy reviewed)
b. FY 2025 Audit Engagement Letter- Motion passed
c. Resolution Designation of Identified Official with Authority for the MDE External User
Access- Motion passed
Recertification System
d. Teacher Laptop Computer Lease- Nate Knutson presented the 2025 lease refresh.
Specifics were presented from 2021 when 400 Mac Book Air laptops were leased. He is
recommending MacBook Air M4 and gave reasons of compatibility, staff familiarity,
product quality, price ($1279 per laptop, 15-inch screen, only $10 more than the
previous lease) and Apple Care+ for schools. Total # 425 funded through the capitol
operating budget, already approved. Total Costs: $649,400 Questions: Cory- why has
the number gone from 400-425? Overtime the pool of laptops available is reduced, thus
the increase. Question is lease to own as purchasing and reselling is better financially.
Motion passes - Items for Information
a. Construction Update No. 12 Dr. Hillmann let the report stand.
b. Annual Fundraising Report- Val reviewed the report which was in the board packet.
FFA actively fundraised. - Future Meetings
a. Monday, August 11, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO
Boardroom
b. Monday, August25,2025,6:00p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
c. Monday, September 8, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO
- Closed Session: Labor Negotiations Strategy
(This session will be closed as permitted by Minnesota Statute 13D.03 to discuss labor
negotiations.) - Adjournment
The Northfield School District recognizes that we reside on the homeland of the Wahpekute Tribe of the Dakota Nation.
We acknowledge the wrongdoings, previous and ongoing, and strive to repair and strengthen our relations with
Indigenous peoples.
Submitted by Debra Peters, Observer League of Women Voters
