On Monday night, the Northfield School Board received the annual financial forecast prepared by the school district’s director of finance Val Mertesdorf. For the first time in three years, the forecast shows the district’s finances are healthy and there is no need to make any cuts to the budget.
In 2022 and again in 2023, the Northfield School District was forced to cut a total of about $4 million dollars from the budget. The finances were shaky due to cost increases brought on by inflation and declining enrollment which has a direct effect on the amount of funding the district receives from the state.
In 2024, however, things have changed. First, the budget cuts have brought things in line with the state funding. Inflation has eased as well, although Northfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann did point out that costs do not ever really come down. Last spring the State Legislature not only made an increase to the amount of money the district will receive per-pupil, but it also tied the increase to inflation. All of these factors have led to stability in the district’s general fund, and in fact will leave a surplus at the end of the year, anticipated to be around $780,000. Hillmann said that money will go directly into the district’s fund balance reserve.
“Because when your largest funder is the legislature, you have to prepare for an unpredictable future. Even though we now have an inflationary factor built in to the per pupil funding formula, we still have to be able to manage that by having reserves that will allow us to fund some future expenditures that we need will need to make.”
Mertesdorf and her staff have taken the time to examine the funding increase and have a good understanding of how it will affect the district moving forward. While the 2023-2024 district enrollment is even with last year, the numbers will begin to decline again next year, and will continue to do so for the next few years. That will of course have a negative effect on the money received from the state but, Hillmann said, having an understanding of those parameters makes it easier to navigate the change.
Overall, he said, the finances are in a good position. Not only will there be a surplus at the end of the current school year, there will likely be a smaller surplus at the end of the next school year as well. The district takes pride in the way the finances are managed, he said, and that will remain a top priority.
“We’re in a good position, and we have a strong fund balance. Our adopted fund balance benchmark is 14%, which is much higher than other districts of our size. So, we’re able to manage these things, and we are in good shape right now, but we have to continue making sure that we make good decisions for the future.”
New Poet Laureate will have annual stipend, support
The Northfield Public Library, the Arts and Culture Commission, the Library Board, and the Friends and Foundation of the Northfield Public Library are inviting local poets to apply to be the next poet laureate of Northfield.
A Statement issued by the City of Northfield said the position requires a person with a passion for promoting poetry.
Director of Library Services Natalie Draper said they will be looking for poets who not only love writing and performing poetry, but also have a desire to engage with the community.
“Our poet laureate position grants the artist the freedom to explore a variety of topics,” she said, “with the primary goal of promoting poetry throughout Northfield.”
According to the statement, the poet laureate position is part of an overall effort to advance the visibility, quality and appreciation of poetic arts in schools, among practicing poets, and for public audiences.
Once selected, the poet laureate will serve for three years and receive a $1,500 annual stipend to support the laureate’s work in schools, the library, and other settings. An additional $2,000 annual budget to support poetry events and special projects is provided by the Friends and Foundation of the Northfield Public Library. The poet laureate is encouraged to pursue grant funding for special projects and library staff are available to assist with grant seeking.
The Northfield Poet Laureate position was created in 2016, with Rob Hardy named to the position. Becky Boling and D.E. Green are currently serving as Interim Poets Laureate.
Applications are due by 5pm on February 29. Those who are interested in the position can find more information, including selection criteria and an application, on the city’s website northfieldmn.gov/Poet.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
