When the Northfield School District held an informational meeting on Monday night to discuss the options for fixing the issues with the Northfield high school facility, it was a part of a much larger campaign to engage the public and offer opportunities to better understand the issue. The campaign has been elaborate and thorough, with opportunities to engage members of the school board and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann in conversation, ask questions, and offer public comments.
The district has done all of this because of the one overarching question the voters of the school district will inevitably want to know: how will this affect property taxes?
The district is considering several different options for a bonding referendum in November, from simply fixing the problems with the school’s heating and cooling system at a cost of $59.5 million, to building a new high school on a new campus at a cost of $176 million. The numbers are large, and questions were asked during the meeting about finding the specific impact on each voter’s tax bill.
Dr. Hillmann responded that every time the district asks for more money from the voters, they publish a series of tax tables that will give them an exact number. And, he said, that is just the beginning of the way the district addresses that question.
“I can promise with certainty that you will see more tax impact tables than anybody would like. And then for people to be able to get very specific information, we also accompany those tables with something that’s called a tax calculator. It’s an “and.” We will always produce a table and we’ll also have that opportunity. And if you have any questions about that, you can call us, and we’ll help get the information you are looking for.”
Hillmann said the district is making this a deliberate, thoughtful and transparent process because the members of the public need to know exactly what they are being asked, and they need to understand the impact of their response.
The district will hold one more tour of the high school building tomorrow morning, beginning at 10am. The tour will begin in the high school media center.
Be a rock star at Helping Hearts benefit
Next week Ruth’s House of Hope will present its annual Helping Hearts event in Faribault. Outreach Coordinator Susan Stout said, the event will include a dinner program, a dessert auction, a silent auction, and a live auction as well.
This year’s theme is Ruth’s House Rocks, and attendees are encouraged to wear their best rock & roll inspired outfits. Stout said that could mean anything from a 1950’s poodle skirt, to 1960’s hippie garb to a modern rapper’s bling and sunglasses. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume, she said.
For nearly two decades, Ruth’s house has provided transitional housing and a safe, supportive environment to women in need. More than half of the residents are fleeing a domestic violence situation, and a full 80% of their residents have experienced domestic violence at one point in their lifetime, at least. Residents of Ruth’s House receive shelter, basic food and supplies, and support from a staff that is ready and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Stout said they help their residents go on to receive permanent housing and education as they find ways to lead a better life.
“Our staff are helping folks figure out how to go back to school or maybe finish a GED. Maybe they have a job, but it doesn’t earn them enough money to be able to rent an apartment. So, how to prepare and get a job that will pay a little bit more. All the things that you need to do to take that next step in your life.”
The organization also operates Sarah’s House, in Northfield, which provides a safe and sober living space to women in recovery from addiction. The residents of Sarah’s House work on setting their goals and getting healthy. Case managers help them locate resources, find employment and develop coping skills.
The Helping Hearts event benefiting both Ruth’s House of Hope and Sarah’s House will be Saturday, February 10th at the 3 Ten Event Center in Downtown Faribault. The social hour will begin at 5:30. Dinner and the program will begin at 7:00. Tickets may be purchased by visiting the website at ruthshousemn.org.
Carleton Cross Country team brings home school’s first women’s championship
Yesterday, Carleton College honored its Women’s Cross Country team for winning the 2023 NCAA Division-III National Championship with a ceremony in the Sayles Hill campus center. The eight members of the team who competed in the national meet each received an individual trophy, along with Assistant Coach Laura Albares. Head Coach Donna Ricks was presented with the National Championship trophy.
Athletic Director Gerald Young acknowledged the significance of the team’s accomplishment by pointing out that not only was it just Carleton College’s second National Championship, but it was the first Women’s National Championship in the schools 158-year history.
Carleton President Alison Byerly said the celebration was late in coming, because the team won at what was effectively the end of Carleton’s fall term. Once they returned back to campus, the team immediately had to take their finals, after which the College goes on winter break through the end of December.
Northfield City Councilor and President Pro Tem of the Council Kathleen Holmes told the team she had also been a college athlete, and while she had never won a National Championship, she understood the commitment it takes to succeed at both Carleton and in a chosen sport. Playing off the City’s recent branding initiative, she suggested that Carleton adopt the slogan Cows, Colleges and Cross-Country Championships. She then read a proclamation made by the Council and Mayor Rhonda Pownell honoring the team.
Finally head coach Donna Ricks, who has guided the program for 30 years, took the podium and gave an understandably emotional speech praising her team and thanking the school for their support. This season Ricks was named both MIAC Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year and National Division-III Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. In December she was inducted into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
The team won the Championship on November 18th at Dickinson College in Newville, Pennsylvania, edging top-ranked New York University by just three points. The seven-point range between the top four teams made it the closest finish in Division-III history.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
