INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 659
Monday, July 13, 2026 ~ 6:00 p.m. ~ Regular Board Meeting
Northfield District Office Boardroom
Public entrance for school board meetings is Door #2 located on the north side of the Northfield School District Office on 2nd Street West. Regular meetings are open to the public and streamed live.
Board Members: Claudia Gonzalez-George, Chair, Maggie Epstein, Corey Butler, Vice-Chair, Amy Goerwitz, Clerk, Jenny Nelson, Jeff Quinnell, Ben Miller, Treasurer
Superintendent: Dr. Tim Anderson
AGENDA
1. Call to Order: Claudia Gonzalez-George called the meeting to order. All members present.
2. Agenda Approval/Table File approved unanimously (see Board Packet and Table File)
3. Public Comment
- None
4. Announcements and Recognitions
- Superintendent Anderson offered gratitude for the warm welcome he has received and acknowledged new leaders in the district, support from Dr. Hillmann, board members, among others and everyone who has offered support to his start in the district.
- He also recognized the trap and skeet shooting teams that participated at State.
5. Items for Discussion and Reports
a. Annual Safety Drill Report – Superintendent Anderson presented the district’s safety drill report as required by Minnesota Statute 121A.037. Director of Buildings and Grounds Justin Raabolle presented an overview to the board and was available to answer board members’ questions.
- The district has moved to I Love You Guys training for safety and security.
- Amy asked if there is a hold for medical purposes if it counts as a practice drill. Justin responded that the district schedules all the drills and if there is an actual event they can check the box and count it as a drill.
- Amy also asked how many parents opt their children out from drills. Justin did not have that information, but communicated that some do and that it’s not a high number. Parents typically bring their kids to school late or pick them up early to avoid the drills.
- Maggie asked if new staff will also be trained for the I Love You Guys training. There will not be a formal training, but Justin and Dr. Anderson will continue to communicate regarding further training.
- Corey asked if St Olaf is still an off site emergency site. Justin said they are in fact a partner and we’re fortunate to have them.
- Ben asked how compartmentalizing the building was part of the new school plan. Justin said the remodel allows every section to be locked down so you cannot move from building to building (8 buildings total).
6. Consent Agenda– approved unanimously without discussion
a. Minutes
b. Gift Agreements
c. Overnight Field Trip Request
d. Financial Reports – February 2026
e. Fiscal Year Organization Actions
f. Memberships for 2026-27
g. Policy Updates
h. Personnel Items
7. Items for Individual Action
a. Transportation Contract The board is requested to approve the two-year transportation contract with Benjamin Bus, Inc. for 2026-28, with an option to extend the contract two more years, through the 2029-30
school year. The contract was presented at the June 24, 2026 special board meeting.
Superintendent’s Recommendation: Motion to approve the two year transportation contract with Benjamin Bus, Inc. for 2026-28, with an option to extend the contract two more years, through the 2029-30 school year. The motion was moved and approved unanimously.
b. Participation Agreement Between Northfield Public Schools and St. Dominic’s Catholic School The board is requested to approve the participation agreement between St. Dominic’s Catholic School and Northfield Public Schools, allowing seventh and eighth grade students enrolled at St. Dominic’s to participate in select Northfield School District programs that are not offered at St. Dominic’s. In accordance with MSHSL Bylaw 105, seventh and eighth grade students at St. Dominic’s have the opportunity to participate in NHS activity programs because St. Dominic’s is a non-continuation school that does not offer education beyond eighth grade. This agreement will be reviewed every two years.
Superintendent’s Recommendation: Motion to approve the participation agreement between Northfield Public Schools and St. Dominic’s Catholic School. The motion was moved and approved unanimously.
- Amy commented that she was surprised that only 5 sports were listed and asked if St Dominic’s asked for only those sports or why the short list? John Mahal commented that there is a limit because we only offer sports that are not offered at St Dominic’s or through a community league.
- Jeff asked why we haven’t done this in the past. John Mahal commented that he wanted to formalize the agreement because he couldn’t find previous agreements and wanted to reestablish the partnership with documentation.
- Amy asked how many students may participate. Mahal responded that it is minimal and around 5 students.
- Sup Anderson also shared that “Catholic” is not part of the school title, but St. Dom’s principal said that there was no reason to not move forward and they appreciated the partnership.
c. 2026-27 Student Citizenship Handbook The board is requested to approve the proposed changes to the 2026-27 Student Citizenship Handbook. The handbook was presented at the June 8, 2026 regular board meeting.
Superintendent’s Recommendation: Motion to approve the changes as presented to the 2026-27 Student Citizenship Handbook. The motion was moved and approved unanimously.
- Superintendent Anderson shared that he had reviewed the handbook and that only links and names needed to be updated.
d. Resolution Designation of Identified Official with Authority for the MDE External User Access Recertification System BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of Independent School District No. 659, as follows:
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) requires that school districts annually designate an Identified Official with Authority to comply with the MNIT Enterprise Identity and Access Management Standard which states that all user access rights to Minnesota state systems must be reviewed and recertified at least annually. The Identified Official with Authority will assign job duties and authorize external user’s access to MDE secure systems for their local education agency (LEA). The board authorizes Dr. Tim Anderson to act as the Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) and Christine Neset to act as the IOwA to add and remove names only for Northfield Public Schools 0659-01.
Superintendent’s Recommendation: Motion to approve the resolution to authorize Dr. Tim Anderson to act as the Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) and Christine Neset to act as the IOwA to add and remove names only for Northfield Public Schools 0659-01. The motion was moved and approved unanimously.
- Dr Anderson shared that only names were updated in this document.
- Amy asked why Christine was not listed in the statement that was reviewed by the board. Kelly clarified that only Dr. Anderson needed to be listed as he could name additional authority personnel.
8. Items for Information
a. Construction Update No. 28 Superintendent Anderson provided an update on the NHS construction project.
- Dr. Anderson shared that the project continues to be on schedule and on budget.
- Kelly is updating weekly updates to the district website.
- Dr. Anderson reviewed these updates of the last week and upcoming updates including water mains, utilities/pipes, etc.
- He shared that he has been very impressed with Wold and Bagley’s work. He said we are in good hands.
- He closed by sharing that the bid day went well and thanked everyone who worked to get updated plans and appreciation for the support of the community.
b. End-of-Year Enrollment Report Superintendent Anderson reviewed the June 2026 end-of-year enrollment report.
- Dr. Anderson referred to the enrollment report in the packet. Projections are included from the beginning of the year and actuals – the year ended close to projections but was under by 22. Last year we were 38 under. Val shared that she was not concerned about these numbers and said the budget should be fine.
c. Dates for Filing Affidavits of Candidacy The dates for filing for school board are July 14-28, 2026 in the District Office. An affidavit of candidacy must be filed in the office of the school district clerk and the $2 filing fee paid prior to 5:00 o’clock p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The next school board election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
9. Future Meetings
a. Monday, August 10, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
b. Monday, August 24, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
c. Monday, September 14, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, Northfield DO Boardroom
10. Adjournment 6:36pm
Submitted by Lisa Percy, Observer League of Women Voters
