As a finalist for the 2023 National Superintendent of the Year Award, Northfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillman was in 
During his visit, he appeared on a panel with the other three finalists, PJ Caposey, of Stillman Valley, Illinois, Kevin McGowan of Rochester, New York, and Trent North of Douglasville, Georgia. The conversation was wide ranging and touched on ideas about the best way to evaluate student progress outside of standardized tests, areas of public education that can and should change, and the best ways to approach federal Covid relief funds.
The moderator asked the finalists how they were able to navigate their school districts through the unsteady waters of political divisiveness. Dr. Hillmann’s response was, while public education is by nature a political entity, it should not be partisan. And he believes school districts have a role to play in bringing communities together.
“I think the unique role that public schools play right now in our communities is one of Healer in Chief. We bring people together. We are conveners and we have the opportunity as we come out of this. We can go back to business as usual, but we can also use that convening power that we have to create healing in these very divisive issues. That can help us move forward toward a more perfect union.”
Hillmann was named the 2023 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year in October, and in December was named one of the four finalists for the national award.
According to the statement announcing the finalists, the candidates are evaluated for communication, professionalism, community involvement and leadership.
The award for National Superintendent of the Year will be announced and presented during the American Association of School Administrators’ conference which will run from February 16-18 in San Antonio, Texas.
Pursell says legal marijuana would benefit farmers, marginalized population
It is Week Three of the 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session. While things are off to a normal paced start in the Senate, the House of 
Among those priorities is a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in the state and automatically expunge low-level marijuana crimes from Minnesotans’ records.
The law would also create a new special board that would review other convictions, and it would establish a new state agency called the Office of Cannabis Management that would regulate both recreational and medicinal marijuana. The new agency would offer needed guidelines to the state, especially after hemp-derived Delta 9 THC was legalized last year with very little guidance from the state.
State Representative Kristi Pursell said she would support the bill. Pursell was endorsed by pro-legalization groups during her campaign, and said she believes that, among other reasons for legalization, this is a social equity issue.
“I was endorsed by the Minnesota is Ready Coalition in the campaign, which talked about legalizing adult use cannabis and expunging records for people with minor convictions like possession of marijuana. We know that disproportionately affects poor people, working people, people of color.”
Pursell said she is unsure if the bill will come through any of the committees on which she sits. If any, she believes it will come through the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, and she said that is something she is watching for. Representative Pursell has taken on the role of a rural area and farming advocate within her party, and she said legalization would be an excellent opportunity for the farmers of Minnesota.
“It could be a great cash crop for farmers and help to revitalize our rural communities. I don’t know that it will come before the Ag Committee, but what I continue to sort of check on in this bill is to make sure that it’s not just Big Pharma coming in and eating up the entire market, when this is an opportunity to support rural Minnesotans, and our farmers specifically.”
The 250-page bill is currently making its way through committees in the House and could receive its first hearing in the Senate as soon as this week. However, the bill is expected to receive strict scrutiny, and quick passage is not expected.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Representative Kristi Pursell can be heard here
Council will consider pollinator support program, “No Mow May”
Last night during the Northfield City Council Meeting, the Council heard a presentation from Zero Waste Advocates of Minnesota about the 
No Mow May program, which encourages people to not mow their lawns during the month of May in order to foster a better and more abundant environment for pollinators as they come out of hibernation.
Kim Haroldson of Zero Waste Advocates said the program began in the United Kingdom more than ten years ago. In 2020, Appleton, Wisconsin became the first American City to adopt the program, and since then 21 Cities in Minnesota, including Edina, Duluth, Rosemount, Rochester, Red Wing, Mankato and North Mankato have all signed on.
Haroldson said not mowing a lawn in May can mean three times the number of bees and five times the number of pollinator species in one lawn. By not mowing, the homeowner allows for more flowering plants to grow in the yard, including things many people see as weeds like dandelions, white clover, and creeping charlie, creating more food for pollinators. It will reduce the need for watering a lawn and help to save on gasoline costs as lawnmowers remain idle. And, Haroldson said, it can benefit birds and increase bird reproduction.
Zero Waste Advocates of Minnesota are encouraging cities to create ordinances supporting the program. Some, she said, encourage city residents to participate. Others actually adopt the practice on public land and refrain from mowing the parks and other city property.
Risi Kareem, the Northfield City Staff liaison to the Environmental Quality Commission said the EQC heard the same presentation in November. The Commission likes the idea, she said, and is currently exploring the most efficient ways for consideration. They are expected to make a formal recommendation to the city council in the coming weeks.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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