A veteran Northfield teacher and long-time coach has resigned. Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann confirmed with KYMN, that an investigation was conducted into unspecified allegations against Troy Cohrs, an English teacher and head coach for the girls track and field. Cohrs had been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol. Because Cohrs resigned before the district took any disciplinary action, Hillmann said, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act does not allow him to comment further on the investigation. Cohrs signed the resignation agreement March 21st. School Board
members accepted and signed it last night at a special meeting. Cohrs’ will remain on paid administrative leave until the end of the ‘17-18 school year, which ends June 30. He’ll also receive monthly contributions to his health insurance premiums through 2018. Cohrs served as an English teacher at Northfield High School since 1997 and as the head coach for girls track and field since 2000 and girls soccer since 2001. He also previously served as a one act play advisor. A popular teacher, the community has expressed surprise.
Dundas includes housing to City Hall project
Administrator John McCarthy said Dundas now has some dollars to build a new City Hall. The site will be the vacant lot on Railway Street where the old school was. The City advertised for interest in the project which would include a retail piece. They received several inquiries asking for more information. Brennan Companies out of Mankato was the only formal response. Staff will work with them to see about coming back to Council and consider starting a permitting process. The City hall itself would be on the south end with a design for small town retail space and about 40 “market rate” apartment units, studio and 1 bedroom size. Those would be above the retail. Dundas would like the design to reflect the town’s mill history.
School District begins Facility talks after Referendum fails
Last November, voters turned down a bond referendum to build 2 new schools in Northfield. Now, the District is looking at what’s next. They have an on-going facilities committee made up of citizens and staff, that’s about maintenance. Superintendent Hillmann said yesterday, the next step is something they’re calling the Facilities Action Team. They’ve invited more than 30 people from a broad range of stakeholder groups to discuss the Master Facilities Plan they worked on for 3 years. The questions are what worked, what didn’t and then what would be a recommendation for the next step. That would go before the School Board. Hillmann said with 47{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} turn out on the bond referendum, it gave them some really good feedback. He’ll be reporting back to KYMN to keep the community up to date.
