By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
The Northfield School Board and District Staff meet together for a nearly 3-hour work session meeting to discuss the budget reductions and answer any questions. Pictures by Logan Wells/KYMN News
The Northfield School Board met again on Tuesday for a nearly 3-hour-long work session meeting to discuss the proposed $6 million in budget reductions. In attendance were all seven members of the board, Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann, and several of the district’s Principals and administrators. As Hillmann stated it, the goal of the meeting was not to make any final decisions but to get all the information and questions answered before the final vote.
While each package of proposals (Activities, District Services, Elementary, Secondary, and Special Services) was discussed, the Middle School schedule changes was one of the longest discussed items. The original proposal would reduce the Middle School’s day from 7 hours to 6 hours. In doing so, the school district could eliminate the 7th-grade health teacher position, a media center assistant, and a 0.6 FTE elective position, in total saving $255,000.
Nearly every board member raised concerns with some or all of the proposal. Board member Corey Butler stated that he thought the board was moving too quickly on the Middle School change, and a more comprehensive discussion about the issue should occur later in the year. Board member Ben Miller compared the size of the budget cuts to their potential impact on students, noting that the actual effect was far greater than the budget cuts themselves. The board discussed finding a way to implement a 7-period day with some alterations to find some savings.
Other topics discussed by the board include: school nurses, charging for using the school bus while living within two miles of school, the number of high school counselors and administrators, and the district-level administration.
Learn more:
- Article: A Summary of the School District’s Financial Forecast
- Podcast: An In-Depth Look At the Northfield Public Schools Budget Reductions
- Article: With the Northfield Schools Budget Cuts, Why is the District Continuing the High School Construction Project?
- Article: What Happens To The Ice Arena Agreement With the School District Budget Reductions?
- Podcast: A summary of the Public Forum
The School Board ultimately can reject any of the budget cuts entirely, however, there are some that the board has requested alternative options be brought forward; those items are listed below:
Line 49 is the original proposal of reducing the day from 7 periods to 6 periods, resulting in the reduction of an elective teaching position, a media center position, and the 7th Grade Health Teaching Position.
Line 49.1 provides an alternative of retaining the 7-period day. Several School Board members expressed interest in the Tuesday work session of having a larger conversation in the fall about the future of the Middle School schedule.
The School Board would then determine whether to hire a non-licensed administrative support staff or a licensed part-time Dean of Students to support High School Leadership.
Line 76A offers an alternative of reducing the overall department from 7 nurses to 6 by removing the coordinator position but retaining one licensed nurse at each school building.
View the full packet of budget reduction recommendations here.
The Northfield School Board meets for the final vote Monday at 6pm.
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