NDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 659
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday, September 8, 2025 ~ 6:00 p.m. ~ Regular Board Meeting
Northfield District Office Boardroom
AGENDA
1. Call to Order : Ms Gonzalez-George called the meeting to order. All members present with the exception of Jenny Nelson.
2. Agenda Approval/Table File: Dr. Hillman updated some additional items found within the table file (see file on district website). These items were added to the agenda, and motion passed.
3. Public Comment: None
4. Announcements and Recognitions: Twenty four students received recognition awards based on advanced placement tests. Seventy eight percent of students taking advanced placement tests scored higher than a 3.0, meaning the credits would qualify for college requirements. No additional announcements.
5. Items for Discussion and Reports
a. Area Learning Center (ALC) School Improvement Showcase: Mr. Daryl Kehler presented information on the ALC using a power point (see board packet). He shared the vision for this school. The ALC focuses on graduation, benchmark #7. . He shared general highlights which included, the total credits earned was above average all year. Attendance was also a highlight. The students met the goal of 85% attendance in 3 of 8 grading periods. Overall average attendance increased to 84.05%. A significant increase in credit completion was also reported. The overall average of credits earned went from 71.75% to 78.69%. The connectedness data shows significant results in the most recent SEI survey. All 100% agree/strongly agree on the following; Teachers are there for me. Adults listen to students. I feel safe at this school. I have a say at school. Teachers care about students. Mr. Keller then shared goals for the upcoming year. Goal 1 focuses on credit completion (Students will earn 80% of credits attempted each grading period).Goal 2 focuses on Employee Engagement, making sure all voices are heard. Goal 3 focuses on parent engagement. They would like to have at least 15% of families complete the satisfaction survey for the 25-26 school year. An attempt was made and will be done again by having a family style conference which includes a BBQ. The ALC had 43 students graduate this past year.
Questions: Amy Goerwitz was impressed with 100% connectedness from staff. She also asked about 4th(middle of year) and 7th grading periods and why they might be the toughest. He shared that by the middle of the year, the vigor wains a bit due to a variety of factors. It is also two weeks before winter break which can break up the sustained effort. The 7th period is the end of the year, when the weather improves and it’s after spring break. Amy asked how to break the pattern? Mr. Kehler shared that they did more activities during those periods. She also asked about the parent survey and is concerned that it is so low. She suggested using a paper survey during the Cinco de Mayo gathering. Mr. Ben Miller asked another question regarding why the trend line decreased for credits earned. Mr. Kehler explained how the staff is trying to encourage the students to focus efforts on what courses they are doing well in order to build positive momentum.
b. Greenvale Park Elementary School Improvement Showcase: Mr. Sam Richardson began by sharing their strategic plan and vision (see power point in board packet). Motto; “Every Gecko everyday”. Mr. Richardson’s presentation focused on three different benchmarks; employee and parent satisfaction, connections to communities, making sure students are exhibiting physical, social and emotional well-being and having all students at grade level in reading and math by the end of third and sixth grades. Highlights from this past year included; Fifth grade reading scores consistently strong. Employee engagement and parent/caregiver satisfaction results continue to grow. (See slide). Continued support in Social Emotional learning areas. In the area of reading proficiency ,5th graders demonstrated above 70% proficiency for the third consecutive year. In fact they scored 76.7% this year. He felt this is due to staff training in the science of reading among other things such as PLC time, collaboration time and using Bridge to Read and 95% core phonics has provided consistency for students. Foundational Skills curriculum implemented in grades K-5. Bridge to read will be implemented in Kindergarten as well this year. Highlight 2 is a Positive Community. The school holds family engagement events that contribute to the engagement score increase. The Gecko Gallery event was a huge success with over 750 attendees. The 3rd highlight was Supporting the Whole Child. Providing SEL Instruction, data-driven tiered supports, monthly Character Trait Programs, 4th grade Kindness Retreat and Experiential Learning with Community Partners (i.e. St. Olaf, Carleton, Clean River/Riverbend etc.).
Goal 1: 80% of students will meet grade level benchmarks in math and reading. Using Bridges Math in year two. Goal 2: 90% of students will demonstrate proficiency on social-emotional outcomes. Use of Tier 1 and Multi-tiered options to respond to students’ needs. Goal 3: Communicating Progress and Gathering Input. The parent/caregiver survey although very positive, they would like to focus on providing more feedback on how well a child is learning and giving the staff the opportunity to provide input on decisions that affect my job.
Questions: Ms. Maggie Epstein asked if he has seen any results from the recent budget reductions. Mr. Richardson reported that staff who travel between buildings, report making it work and it was feasible. Class sizes are slightly larger and staff have responded in a positive way although it has only been 5 days of instruction. Teachers are working together to make learning happen. The use of volunteers and college students will also help with the larger class sizes. Mr. Ben Miller asked about the math and reading curriculums, how many are trained. One hundred percent of the math and reading teachers are trained in Science of Reading and Bridges to Math. Dr. Hilman then explained more in detail about the Science of Reading which is not a curriculum, it is more of a background on how students learn to read. Dr. Hilman added the importance of an ongoing training model allows staff to engage with embedding its use. Mr. Miller followed up with a question about how realistic is the 80% proficiency level. Mr Richardson believes that there is a difference among the grade levels and is confident they will see strong growth. Ms. Amy Goerwitz complimented the principle on the progress seen in many areas. She would like to know how all staff (art, music, P.E. etc.) can support the 80% proficiency levels. Chair Claudia Gonzales-George asked Mr. Richardson to give a quick overview of the 4th grade kindness retreat. He shared how the retreat involves some high school students. It gives the students a chance to shift from being leaders in training to being leaders of their elementary schools.
c. Policy Committee Recommendations: Dr. Hillman laid out some changes in policies as found in the board packet. They will come before the board at the next meeting. Other items included weighted grades being the same regardless of the pathway. Another policy was added around fees, specifically a charge for discretionary fees and there is a direct link to the site on the district website. Policy changes can be found within the board packet. Mr. Cory Butler also asked about whether a district coordinator needs to be listed as an individual or as a position. Dr. Hillmann will check on it.
6. Consent Agenda – All voted to accept the following a-e below.
a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Policy Revisions
d. Financial Reports
e. Personnel Items
7. Items for Individual Action
a. Superintendent’s 2025-2026 Focus Areas – Dr. Hilman shared that the board is interested in a later school start time. It was not a focus area for this year.
b. Adult Lunch Meal Price Increase – $5.00-$5.25 USDA sets those minimum prices. Stephany Stromme, director of Child Nutrition shared she learned very late that the state required this change and was hoping the board would approve. The board approved unanimously.
8. Items for Information a. Construction Update No. 15 There will be an update at the next board meeting from the construction company.
9. Future Meetings
Monday, September 22, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
*Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom *Note that Monday, October 13, 2025 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Monday, October 27, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
10. Adjournment
Submitted by Debra Peters, Observer League of Women Voters
