The members of the Northfield School Board were given their first look at the language the will be on the referendum this fall, when the school district asks voters to approve a $121 million project that would construct a new and modernized learning facility at and a new and expanded gymnasium at Northfield High School, and a geothermal system to heat and cool the building.
Northfield Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Matt Hillmann said the language is necessary from a legal perspective, but because of its very nature, the education campaign the school district has started to help the community understand the issues is more important than ever.
A page has been created on the Northfield Public School District website that goes through each of the three questions on the referendum, the reasons for each question, and why each question is important. For several months, tours of the high school facility have been given to show the community exactly why the district is asking to renovate the facility and demonstrate the need for the project. Hillmann and other members of the district staff have made dozens of presentations to civic groups and private gatherings and, he said, they will continue for as long as any voter has a question.
“We’re doing a lot of work on educating the community. Since March 11th, we’ve had 35 events, either internal or external, and a number of tours, as you know. We really hope people will come on one of the tours. Our next one is June 15th. That’s a Saturday, 9am to 11am. We hope people come, because the best thing that people can do is really come and see for themselves what we’re talking about.”
The majority of Northfield High School was built in the early-to-mid 1960’s, from a blueprint that was originally created for a high school in San Jose, California. The building has never had an adequate HVAC system, and now the inadequate one is 60 years old. The building lacks proper classroom space, natural light, and modern amenities necessary for a 21st Century learning space.
The informational campaign undertaken by the school district is meant, said Hillmann, to give every community member an opportunity to learn firsthand why the changes are necessary. But, he said, the school district will of course accept the outcome of the vote.
“If you have a group of six people that get together for coffee at 5:30 in the morning on a Saturday, call our office. We can certainly come and talk to you about the referendum. And then once people have the information, they make the decision that’s right for them, what they think is the right thing to do. That’s what happens in a democratic society. The voters are always right. And we will move forward from there.”
The next tour of Northfield High School is set for Saturday, June 15th, at 9am. For more information visit the Reimagine Northfield High School page on the Northfield Public Schools website.
The school board is expected to vote on the ballot language at their meeting next Monday.
New State Economist has been St. Olaf professor for 37 years
St. Olaf College Professor of Economics Anthony Becker has been named the next Minnesota State Economist.
The position of State Economist is that of a non-partisan advisor to the state government, providing research and analysis to inform the state budget development and track the state’s financial performance. They are responsible for the February and November economic reports, which serve as a forecast for the amount of money available to the legislature during budgeting years. The forecasts are incredibly important to the state legislature, demanding a very high level of non-partisan integrity.
The current State Economist, Laura Kalambokidis, a professor of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota, has held the position for 11 years. Professor Becker praised Kalambokidis for her work, saying she has set standards of transparency and objectivity that he intends to maintain.
Professor Becker has been a faculty member at St. Olaf College since 1987. In his 37 years there, he chaired the Economics Department from 2012 to 2020, and has chaired several faculty committees. He has also worked as a consultant in economic analysis and as an expert witness in economic damages.
Becker holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in economics, both from Duke University, and a bachelor’s degree with honors in economics from the University of Maryland at College Park. A published author, he is a member of the American Economic Association, the American Society of Hispanic Economists, the National Association of Forensic Economists, and Western Economic Association International.
A statement issued by St. Olaf College said Professor Becker has a passion for economic forecasting, and he is excited to put that passion to work in such an impactful role.
Council decision on Ice Arena could come after discussion tonight
And the Northfield City Council will meet tonight in the Council Chambers in City Hall.
Among the items on tonight’s agenda, the Council will review a resolution approving a new Northfield Ice Arena funding partnership with the City of Dundas, the Northfield School District and the Northfield Hockey Association. The resolution will also approve the architect contract.
The Council will review the proposed Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service budget for 2025, and they will also review the proposed Spring Creek Road reconstruction project and major improvements to the Mill Towns Trail.
The Council will also hold the first of its new listening sessions. Beginning at 6pm, the council will be seated away from the dais to hear directly from members of the community asking a question or making a comment for the public record. The listening session will last for 20 minutes. Those wishing to address the council are asked to please wait should they like to speak about an item on the meeting agenda, until that agenda item comes up during the meeting. Those wishing to voice their opinions without addressing the council should email their councilors directly or post a comment through the eComment button on the “Agendas” section of the City Council website.
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:00.
KYMN Daily News 6/4/24
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
