The Northfield School Board met in a work session on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the options before them addressing the numerous issues with the Northfield High School building. After receiving vital information through a phone survey that told the board and school district employees what the voters would be willing to support, and a week before a scheduled vote to decide if the issue warrants a bonding bill on the ballot in this November’s election, this was a meeting to learn where each member of the school board was leaning.
Board Chair Claudia Gonzalez George quickly determined that every member of the board does feel that some sort of bonding measure should be on the ballot, and there was no member of the school board who wanted that measure to request a new high school facility. Most members of the board seemed to be leaning toward an option that would build a new three-story classroom addition and address the failing HVAC system, while demolishing the older and more problematic sections of the school. Other options for the plan include the construction of a field house, the construction of a geothermal heating system for the facility, and a new turf athletic field.
Board member Ben Miller suggested a three-question referendum, with the classroom tower being the first option, and then offering the field house and geothermal system as ala carte add ons. Board member Corey Butler supported the idea, pointing out that the three options totaled $121.6 million, just on the edge of what the phone survey results suggested taxpayers might support. Butler said, however, that the support was tenuous, and he felt it was wiser to secure the classroom tower first, before adding other components that were not as popular with survey respondents.
Board member Amy Goerwitz disagreed. Her feeling is this could be the last time the school district might make improvements to the high school for decades, and the district should be asking for the things it needs. She said the field house should be considered one of the core components of the project.
Board member Jeff Quinell was not as supportive of the plan. He said he saw “a lot of life” in some of the wings set to be torn down. His priority is for the construction of a new field house and the replacement of the HVAC system at a cost closer to $80 million.
While there was no clear consensus from the board, it did appear that the partial demolition and construction of the tower on a multi-question referendum was the idea that had the most support.
Northfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann said the vote next week will only ask the school board for guidance and does not commit the board members or the district to any referendum language.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 11th, at 6pm.
Northfield Community College Collaborative ‘removes barriers’ to education
Meanwhile, the Northfield Community College Collaborative is growing in its work to help those who have graduated from high school but do not see college as an option to receive a quality post-secondary education.
Meleah Follen, the director of the NCCC, said the point of the collaborative is to offer the ability for Northfielders to work toward an associate degree at night while maintaining a daytime work schedule. They provide support and space in partnership with Riverland Community College, which provides class curriculum and educators.
Follen said the classes are for anyone who has graduated from high school or earned an equivalency credential. The program serves people of all ages and all backgrounds.
“I think our oldest student right now is in their late 50s We have people coming for a myriad of reasons, whether they’re new to the country, they might have a degree in their country of origin and they’re looking to take classes to get a degree here to open up more job opportunities. Or they might have tried school and then something in their life changed and they had to leave, and now they’re coming back to it.”
Follen said the foundation of what they do is in offering support for the students and removing the barriers they face in receiving their education. That support comes in many forms. For example, they operate a childcare center during evening class times so single parents can attend class. They also offer free meals prior to classes for all students. Help with degree audits is offered, as well as tutoring. And they will help students find the financial aid they need to pay for classes.
Follen said the majority of the NCCC students are working toward an Associate of Arts degree, but there are two other pathways that are offered. One is a teaching pathway, and the other is a relatively new pathway toward a law enforcement degree which was established in part with help from the Northfield Police Department. Each of the programs is designed for students to be able to attend classes here in town, at the Northfield Community Resource Center, and work toward a better future.
For more information about the Northfield Community College Collaborative, visit their website at northfieldccc.org.
Locals, favorites set for Library’s Summer Concert Series
And the Northfield Public Library has announced the lineup for its summer concert series.
Every Wednesday night this summer, from June 12th through July 31st, the library will present a family-oriented concert, as has been the tradition for several years. Among the confirmed performers this year are Salsa del Sol on June 12th, Twin Cities psych rock band Val Son featuring Northfielder Jordan Taylor on June 26th, Tre Aaron & The Undergroove on July 3rd, local favorite and Northfield native Mark Joseph on July 10th, blues/soul/afro-pop vocalist Kashimana on July 17th, The Ryan Picon Quartet on July 24th, and Patchouli and Terra Guitara on July 31st.
The concerts will be held in Way Park this year. Each show will begin at 6pm. For more information visit mynpl.org.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
