Last night, the Northfield School Board approved a package of budget cuts that, with one notable exception, would be in place for the 2023-
2024 school year, totaling just over $2.5 million.
Among the many cuts are reductions in full time teaching positions, elimination of the online Portage programs at both the elementary and secondary levels, an increase to Middle School and High School activity fees, and a restructuring of the Middle School schedule to a six-period day, down from seven periods, a change that would be put into effect for the 2024-2025 school year.
After what was by all accounts a marathon work session last week, last night’s meeting was relatively short and efficient. In fact, the only discussion that took place about any of the cuts last night was about the change to the Middle School schedule.
By reorganizing the day at Northfield Middle School, and trimming a period from the class schedule, students will have less choice about elective classes, and it will make adding a study hall into their daily schedule much more difficult.
Board member Jeff Quinnell asked to have the line item removed for discussion and a separate vote. During the discussion, Board Member Jenny Nelson said she would not support the measure because she felt that the overall effects would be worse than keeping the $200,000 item in the budget. Likewise, Board Member Amy Goerwitz said she would not support the measure, either, because it is her opinion that 15 months is not enough time to study the situation and anticipate all of the issues that could arise from the change. Quinnell said he sees things from a business-style perspective and sometimes “Downsizing” isn’t as good a term as “Right-Sizing.” He sees nothing wrong with the Middle School schedule as it is and does not believe taking an elective class opportunity from Middle Schol students is a good idea. He also referenced a letter the board received from the Northfield Education Association that he interpreted as a request to keep the seven-period schedule in place.
Board member Corey Butler, however, said he would support the change as the “least worst idea” that had been presented for consideration. He also said that he interpreted the NEA letter as a request that the district not implement the schedule change until 2024, which is one of the stipulations.
In the end the Middle School schedule change passed by a 4-3 vote.
Public Safety Center construction is stimulating development
Construction on the Rice County Public Safety Center continues to run on, or slightly ahead of, schedule. 
Rice County Commissioner Galen Malecha said the construction of the building, which will house a new Rice County Jail, as well as the Rice County Sheriff’s Department, is spurring development throughout the 109-acre parcel of land on the north side of Faribault, just east of Highway 3. The City of Faribault has purchased some of the land from the county to use as public land for a park and a bicycle trail. A housing development is being planned for a different section of the area, and still another section has been earmarked for industrial development. The City of Faribault, he said, is going to build a roundabout adjacent to the site this summer, as well.
While Malecha was not in favor of building the estimated $60 million project, he has said several times how pleased he is that the new jail will offer mental health resources that the current jail does not. While the new building will not have specific mental health facilities, there are features within the design that will help to de-escalate certain situations.
Malecha has been a strong advocate for more public resources to help those with mental health issues. The State of Minnesota, he said, needs to do more to help cities and counties with mental health issues. More money needs to be allocated. More beds need to be created. While the new County programming will not solve these problems, it is a start, and Commissioner Malecha said the important thing is to put programs in place so people can receive the help they need before they end up in jail.
“The point is trying to get them help before things get too carried away. You never want to see somebody go to jail. We all know that there are people that have to go to jail for the crimes that they commit, but there are also people that wind up in jail that don’t necessarily need to be there. They may need mental health help or drug and alcohol help. We’re looking at things differently than they were years ago.”
The new Rice County Public Safety Center is expected to open in the latter part of 2024.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Rice County Commissioner Galen Malecha can be heard here
Work session tonight has light agenda
And the Northfield City Council will meet for a work session tonight in the Council Chambers at City Hall. 
Among the items on the council’s relatively light docket tonight are a review of the Park and Recreation Capital Investment Plan financing options, and a discussion on the City Council, Board and Commission Governance Effectiveness Review.
As always, the City Council and the Northfield City Staff are eager to hear the opinions of the public on any matter, whether the subject is on the Council agenda or not. Tonight’s meeting is a work session, so the Council will not hear from the public. However, those who do wish to make a point, air an opinion or ask a question can email their councilor directly or make use of the eComment function which can be found in the “Agendas” section of the city website.
The meeting will begin tonight at 6pm.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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