By Teri Knight, News Director
Northfield Community Services provides a wealth of opportunities. As reported earlier by Director, Erin Bailey, it will be rebranded Community Education, and with good reason. Superintendent Dr. Hillmann commented, “now this is a duplicated count but 90,000 people had access to a school building last year through Community Services”. (“duplicated” meaning one person gone into the building twice) As the School board discusses budgets, Hillmann said their
‘Early Ventures’ program, the childcare program is going through some transitions as they prepare to move into the renovated Greenvale location. He explained, “we are seeing more students in our childcare program who require more services, special education-like services”. That increases the cost of childcare, however, it’s important to catch those who need additional services as early as possible. He added, “we know from research and data that if we invest in intervening early with students, as early as three, the long term costs as students enter into the K-12 system, will be far less”. With the renovated space, the options are increased including full day preschool, a for-pay program. Hillmann believes the program increases will offset costs. His full interview is on kymn.net.
Voting information for Super Tuesday
As we approach Super Tuesday, the Presidential Primary, the City of Northfield has a wealth of information on their website regarding polling locations and how to register to vote. Only the.Republican and Democratic parties are participating. Each party has its own ballot with only their candidates listed. Voters will be required to request only one party’s ballot when they vote. Polls will be open from 7am to 8pm. To find your polling location go to the City’s website, ci.northfield.mn.us. Or on the Minnesota Secretary of State website. The polling location for the City of Dundas is at Hosanna Church as City Hall construction continues. Administrator Teppen said they anticipate moving the polling place to the new City Hall by August.
Historical Society postpones Exhibit opening due to water damage, seeks community support
The Northfield Historical Society was dealt another blow with a second water damage issue within a month. Just as they were readying the brand new Raider exhibit, focusing on the townspeople, a leak in an apartment above the bank has caused the postponement of the Opening of the exhibit. Executive Director Cathy Osterman, “and unfortunately the water came from above the bank and hit the bank ceiling, hit the vault, soaked right down into our collections space, so we have got a massive cleanup and repair job that has to be done”. That space was the original First National Bank. Right now, large dryers are sucking out the moisture to prevent mold. The sheetrock ceiling of the bank and vault area will have to be removed and replaced. As for the collections that are in specially made boxes, the items were not damaged but many of the expensive boxes were destroyed. Osterman said, “so we’ll certainly end up having to pay our deductible because our policy is an each and every disaster, so every time something happens we end up paying the deductible”. While many things will be covered, there are many items, such as those boxes at $52 a piece. The revenue lost to having to close the museum, can’t be recovered, nor the time it will take for an employee to recatalog all those collection items. They are asking for help. Go to northfieldhistory.org to donate any amount. There’s much more to Cathy’s interview HERE.
