After offering a bus trip to Owatonna over the weekend for a guided tour of the brand-new Owatonna High School, the Northfield School District’s educational campaign to help voters and taxpayers better understand the issues facing the Northfield High School facility will resume tonight with another round of guided tours of the Northfield High School building itself.
The School Board is currently considering putting a referendum on the November 2024 election ballot that would ask the community to pass a bonding resolution that would address many, if not all, of the deficiencies at the high school.
Last month the Northfield School Board identified 22 separate problems with the building, including many critical building systems, like heating and cooling, that are nearing the end of their reliable service lives. Many of the windows in the original section of the building, which was constructed in 1964, are single paned, and are not insulated. Many of the exterior walls are poorly insulated. These deficiencies increase utility costs and make classrooms uncomfortable in both hot and cold temperatures.
Another problem, according to the statement, is the antiquated educational spaces. The district would like the high school to have safe, inviting, and open spaces that incorporate natural light in order to create a more positive learning environment.
Finally, the district has a need for more indoor athletic facility space to meet the educational and physical fitness expectations of families and the community. Right now, there is more demand for space than available at reasonable times of the day.
Tours like tonight are being offered so people can see, and feel, the facility problems first-hand. Tours have also been scheduled for January 20th, and February 3rd, from 10am-12pm. These events will begin with a brief presentation in the auditorium followed by an in-depth tour of the building.
Tonight’s tour will begin at 6pm.
For more information, visit the Northfield School District website at northfieldschools.org.
Pursell would like to see more rural Dems in St. Paul
Last night, Representative Kristi Pursell announced that she will seek re-election as the State Representative of District 58A in front of a large crowd at Imminent Brewing. Among the special guests at the event was Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, Minnesota House of Representatives Majority Leader Jamie Long, and a wealth of current and former DFL legislators.
Pursell, who was first elected in 2022, presents herself as the Democratic representative for rural Minnesota. And her announcement speech reflected the importance her party is putting on gaining more support from areas outside of the Twin Cities.
Before she was even sworn in at the beginning of the 2023 legislative session, Pursell was named Vice-Chair of the House Agriculture Committee. She noted in her remarks how proud she is of the Ag Omnibus Bill that was passed last spring, which included provisions for new farmers, and $100 million in state money for broadband internet in rural areas. In the coming session, she noted that she would be sponsoring an addition to the Right to Repair bill that was passed last year. The law allows for people to fix their own electronic equipment without having to take it to a licensed dealer, and Pursell intends to see those rights extended to include farm equipment as well. She also said she would continue to work for better soil health by incentivizing farmers to use more climate friendly practices. She’ll also be working to help her party make more inroads in rural Minnesota, noting that the DFL party is a coalition of Democrats, Farmers and Labor. She said she would like to see more people in the House of Representatives representing the “F” in DFL.
It was clear last night that the leadership in the DFL Party is concerned for 2024. Majority Leader Long said the DFL only has a majority in the House by two votes. While the Democrats do have majorities in both the House and the Senate, as well as control of the Governor’s office, the “trifecta” as it has been referred to is a fragile arrangement. Speaker Hortman implored those in attendance to work for the Democrats in 2024. Each time former President Donald Trump has been on the ballot, she said, Democrats have lost members in the House, and Trump is expected to once again receive the Republican nomination for President next summer.
Pursell was gracious in her remarks, thanking the members of the district for electing her, and asking people to hold her accountable.
“I work for you,” she said. “That’s how this works.”
The next legislative session begins February 12th. Election Day is November 5th.
And the City of Northfield will hold its annual holiday social this evening, and the public is invited.
Tonight would normally be a night for the City Council to meet in a work session. However last week after approving the budget and tax levy for 2024, they have concluded their business for 2023.The members of the Council will instead join with City Staff, members of the city’s boards and commissions, and, they hope, quite a few people from the general public to celebrate the season and enjoy each other’s company.
The social is scheduled for this evening at the upstairs lounge area of Reunion.
A statement issued by the city’s communication department said representatives of the city will make a brief presentation. Appetizers will be provided as well.
The City of Northfield’s annual Holiday Social will begin tonight at 5pm and will run until 7pm.
For more information visit the City of Northfield website at northfieldmn.gov.
