School Board discusses “expulsion abeyance”
Discipline in the schools has been spotlighted all over the State including Northfield’s administration. Superintendent Dr. Richardson said after meetings with teachers, parents and more, they presented proposed changes to the Board last week including changes to the language defining a firearm and searching student vehicles in the parking lot. They also looked at expellable offenses. In the past there have been 2 options; take them through the process and expel them or they could withdraw from school and go somewhere else.
They’re considering a 3rd option called “expulsion abeyance”. If the student and parent(s) agree, the student could be transferred immediately to the ALC (Area Learning Center). The Board agreed in principle and gave the go-ahead to take it to the District Youth Council for review. They’ll make sure the language is understandable to students.
Rebound asks for additional $ for multi-million dollar hotel project
The EDA held a meeting regarding The Crossings project last week. The TIF district dollars were a part of the discussion. Community Development Director, Chris Heineman said there are 2 levels including a “pooled” TIF of an existing downtown TIF district that has been decertified and the primary assistance from The Crossings Redevelopment TIF. Rebound Enterprises is asking for an additional $650,000 to provide parking for the 80 unit hotel which means they need to go underground. That lot will cost $1.2 million alone. The soil conditions will require additional footing and foundation work. Heineman laid out options to help the $12.5 million project move forward. The Crossings area has been vacant for years. The hotel project is the first major development to have traction. Member Ludescher said, “I can’t get past the fact that we’re giving away money to people who don’t need money”. Mayor Graham countered, “you have to have people with means to promote a project like this”. New member Britt Ackerman added that she’s very interested in job creation, “just moving forward and getting to a bigger plan, what I’m looking for is some sort of certainty as to how many jobs this is going to create and what sort of guarantee we have from the developer with respect to liveable wage and benefits, etc.”. Right now the agreement calls for 5 full time employees. The vote was 5 to 1 with Ludescher against the subsidy. The City Council has the final say. They’ll meet with the EDA for a work session at 6pm tomorrow in Council Chambers before their meeting. You can view all the meetings live streamed or archived on the City’s website.
Crash on Hwy 3
An accident on Hwy 3 near 320th street this morning at around 8:30 had Dakota County Sheriff’s deputies and reportedly Northfield responding. Injuries were non life threatening.
Warm temps mean burglaries heat up too
Warmer temperatures means burglaries heat up too. Northfield Police Chief Monte Nelson says people need to remember to close their garage doors and lock the walk-in door. If it’s an attached garage, lock the interior door. If you go on vacation sign up for a Vacation Home Check on the City’s website. An officer will drive by, but Nelson says, more importantly ask a friend or neighbor to come by. Put a hold on your paper and on your mail. Get timers for your lights, there are apps for your phone to activate them from anywhere. Good locks are important. He recommends deadbolts and also says you should lock your house even when you’re home and, of course, your vehicles.
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