By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
On Monday, representatives from the Northfield School District traveled to the state capital to meet with local legislators and advocate for schools. The day was part of the Minnesota School Board Association and Minnesota Association of School Administrators day at the capital. Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann, Arcadia Executive Director Laura Stelter, School Board member Amy Goerwitz, and four students represented Northfield at the capital. The group met with all of the local legislators, including State Representatives Kristi Pursell and Drew Roach, and State Senator Bill Liseke as well as a speech from Governor Tim Walz to all of the school leaders at the capital.
Hillmann said that the experience was a positive one for the students:
“I asked all the student participants at the end of the day, you know, real takeaways, and I think their takeaway is something that many first-time visitors to the Capitol come away with. Several of them said to me, ‘I was surprised that regardless of the person, they listened.’ I think sometimes there’s this perception, at the capitol that people don’t listen to each other but our students were impressed and there was even some disagreement a little bit on some of the positions, it just went to show that you can have positive dialogue regardless of your outlook and” – Northfield Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann at the 3/10/2025 School Board Meeting
After the visit, Hillmann was asked by School Board members what his impression was from the State Legislature and if there would be any increase in state funding:
“I think I am known as an eternal optimist and what I’ll tell you is we’re getting nothing” – Northfield Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann at the 3/10/2025 School Board Meeting
Goerwitz stated that state leaders were being cautious and waiting for more information about the current funding situation:
“I think there’s also some somberness at the capitol just not knowing what’s going to be affected at the state level because of all of the things that are happening at the national level they’re sort of waiting to see what other pieces they might have to pick up” – Northfield School Board Member Amy Goerwitz at the 3/10/2025 School Board Meeting
Hillmann did note that the district will receive the inflationary increase in funding automatically set by law. This year the increase will be 2.7% from the state which leads to about $100,000 for the school district. However, there are funding cuts that are affecting the district:
“We also learned that they didn’t allocate enough money for this year’s special education payments, and so we’re going to get a prorated amount of 95% that’s actually quite significant for the district” – Northfield Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann at the 3/10/2025 School Board Meeting
According to the district, the prorating of money from the state government is leading to about $525,000 of funds that the district is not receiving when it is expected to receive the funds.
Will keep you posted with future details about the story.
Newscasts on KYMN air on weekdays at 6am, 7am, 8:30am, Noon, 3pm, and 5pm. If you miss it live, you can subscribe on your preferred podcast app:
> Click here to listen on Spotify
> Click here to listen on Apple Podcast
Do you have a news tip or press release? Send it to us email: Logan@kymnradio.net
