The Northfield Public Schools and Carleton College announced Thursday that the college is pledging $2 Million to the Northfield High School renovation project. In an email to school district families from the Superintendent, Dr. Matt Hillmann, he expressed his thanks to Carleton, saying, “I’m humbled and so grateful on behalf of the school board, students, staff, families, and taxpayers of the Northfield School District.” Hillmann described the donation as a “historic investment” and a “unique milestone” as this is the first time a Minnesota Private College has made a donation towards a public school district bond referendum project.
The donation contingent on the first question of the referendum passing would lower the cost of the project by $2 million for taxpayers.
In a statement released by Carleton, the college stated their success relies on the city:
“Carleton is very fortunate to be located in the charming, historic, and friendly town of Northfield. An attractive location is important not only to prospective students, but also to our faculty and staff, many of whom choose to make Northfield their home. The continued success of the College and the City of Northfield are inextricably linked. A strong college contributes to a strong city, and a strong city contributes to the strength of the college.
The statement noted that Carlton and the schools have worked together in the past, with Carleton students volunteering as mentors for the TORCH program and Project Friendship and faculty have worked with the high school teachers on projects before. However, the statement also noted that this is a new “level of commitment” from the college. Additionally, the statement noted that the colleges are usually required to spend their funds on causes that advance their mission, and donations like this are quite rare. However, the statement said “that, in the long run, the College benefits greatly from a strong local school system, which helps us to attract and retain the extraordinary faculty and staff who are integral to Carleton’s success. And we believe that as a premier academic institution, it is appropriate for us to help support a quality educational environment for students in our local community.”
The school district is hosting a public event today at 10am to celebrate the announcement in the High School’s upper cafeteria. Carleton College President Alison Byerly and Professor Matt Whited will speak along with several members of the Northfield High School community, including Principal Shane Baier, teachers Bubba Sullivan and Jody Saxton-West, Student Council President Leena Brown, and District Board Chair Claudia Gonzalez-George.
KYMN will be at the event and provide a full recap during Tuesday’s newscast.
You can learn more about the Northfield High School Bond Referendum at Northfieldschools.org/reimagine
Construction Projects Around the Schools
Currently there are two construction projects around the Northfield High School. City Engineering Director Sean Simonson reports that there will still be some road work at the start of the school year. The road construction project on Jefferson Parkway to Roosevelt Drive is set to be completed before school starts, and Simonson reports the project is on schedule.
The project on Jefferson Parkway is set to be complete by the start of the school year.
More importantly, the project is being done in front of the high school on Division Street. The city received a grant from the state of Minnesota to add an additional bike path off of the roundabout. A lane shift has been put in place on the road to fit the construction equipment in the area. Simonson says that the project will be done in mid-October, but the effect of the road will be done shortly after the start of school in mid-September he advises drivers to plan for extra time.
Just telling people, you know, to allow for extra time when you’re getting in that area. We know It’s going to be school, there’s young drivers, just allow for extra time and use caution through that area because it it, you know, it’s going to be busy every day for 10 minutes a day and then after that it’s kind of forgotten.
(City Engineering Director, Sean Simonson)
Map of the road section with a lane shift in place through mid-September.
Rice County Steam and Gas Engine Show Host Tractor Show This Weekend
The 49th Annual Rice County Steam and Gas Engine Tractor Show starts today and goes through the weekend. The main event, of course, will feature tractors on display, with a parade of tractors each day at noon and a tractor pull Sunday at 9am. This year, the focus is on Minneapolis Moline Tractors. At past events, the show has brought over 200+ tractors. There will be live music each day, with the Czech Concertina Club taking the stage Friday, followed by Marv Gohman on Saturday morning and Charlie Sticha Band in the afternoon, wrapping on Sunday; Dakota Ramblers Band will play in the afternoon.
Food stalls will be open each day with several serving breakfast. A Flea market will open each day at 8am. There will be several demonstrations, including a sawmill and blacksmithing show. Activities for the family and kids include horse-drawn wagon rides, miniature railroad rides, and a petting zoo.
The show takes place on the Steam and Gas Engine Show Grounds on Highway 3, about 3 miles south of Dundas. Admission is $10 for adults and free 12 and under.
College Students Return to Northfield
With the beginning of the school year in just a few days, school is also starting again at Northfield’s two colleges. While some groups of students, like athletes, have already been back on campus for some time, the general student body will begin arriving in the next few weeks. St. Olaf welcomes its new students on Saturday, with returning students moving in next week. Classes at St. Olaf begin on Thursday. Carleton College students arrive about a week later, and classes start on September 16th. In total the two colleges bring over 5,000 students to Northfield.
Logan Wells is the KYMN News Director. You can contact him at Logan@kymnradio.net
