[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6328815,"mediaKeyId","2316869-a761275fec0e52cd27b3c210054797db","parentId",2316869,"title","Board hears proposed 2025'26 operating capital and long'term facility maintenance plan, indoor air quality update","audioSeconds",1231,"startMs",1233000,"endMs",2464000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316869-a761275fec0e52cd27b3c210054797db&start=1233&end=2464","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316869-a761275fec0e52cd27b3c210054797db/thumbnail_1233000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6328815/Minnesota/Board-hears-proposed-202526-operating-capital-and-longterm-facility-maintenance-plan-indoor-air-quality-update","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328815-6276a7de79d5e26bb6b2da35939d5b74/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181726&Signature=C7cJuc8Wgzxzxhr2UnEBZrfh1EU457aXNWQDxgYlOu2OxeoMsF6SBuaHTrnRwFkcuj-NcPhqGHgQ3FEu0C8wZJfgSPF6J0rmpuDz~wwqSROBmKH8R1StAMsXC4jvInW4e3fz~TDnSeZVGw4GIOA7diH3JSpQPQQUNtcs3tQ~dyanAAnGn90Fg98MOGlfpixYRxIRO67SsnWEiEV0aZOxRLda~ec7pNaq1AFckjWzYxkOkhMDyHSRBBh8U9LljKcw3wdlvHFgHc2hLkfddDvJr4Mwomh7eUskvQYemEZzelOV06QCXr6JOrlEaAZoNs1i4dkVtvli6Xits5gDQTTbMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northfield Public Schools","date","2025-02-11T13:23:01Z","article","Val Merdersdorf, director of finance, presented the proposed 2025'26 operating capital and long'term facility maintenance (LTFM) budget and the district's 10'year LTFM plan.

Merdersdorf said total projected revenue across operating capital, lease levy, capital levy and LTFM is about $4.9 million for 2025'26. She broke the revenue mix into operating capital (just over $900,000), lease levy (about $451,000), voter'approved capital projects levy (a little over $2,000,000) and LTFM (about $1,300,000). She noted the voter'approved capital levy increase approved by voters in 2022 is the largest single piece of the revenue picture.

Planned expenditures presented total roughly $4.6 million, leaving targeted fund balances: operating capital projected to end around $367,000 (board minimum $200,000) and LTFM around $814,000 (board goal $600,000). Merdersdorf said the LTFM per'pupil allocation in the state formula is roughly $380 per pupil and that the district is intentionally building LTFM fund balance to prepare for larger future projects, including high school work and ALC remodeling.

Specific capital and LTFM projects Merdersdorf highlighted for 2025'26 include resurfacing and accessibility work (Spring Creek playground port'in'place surface), removing several locker bays at the middle school to create flexible learning space, tuckpointing, pavement repair, new middle school network switches and updated high school media center computers, refinishing the NCEC gym floor and replacing gym doors at Bridgewater. She said some purchases will be lease arrangements (for example, a new front loader leased to own because of the upfront cost) and that the district received notable revenue in 2023'24 from the sale of iPads when the lease cycle rolled off.

Merdersdorf described the operating capital and LTFM revenue streams as restricted funds governed by state statute and Department of Education coding; she said those rules determine allowable expenditures and fund balance handling.

Justin Robley, director of buildings and grounds, described the district's indoor air quality process. He said staff use a survey run by IEA to collect reported IAQ concerns from employees, then the district investigates and schedules work using LTFM funds for remediation. Robley said most issues identified this year were minor and routine. He told the board the high school is the one building that is not compliant with current standards for ventilation and filtration; he did not provide exact air exchange numbers at the meeting but said improvements tied to the reimagine high school project will address many of those needs.

Board members asked about procurement timing (summer contractors) and how LTFM planning is adjusted around the high school reimagine project; Merdersdorf and Robley said the district will continue to maintain occupied spaces and prioritize critical maintenance while avoiding unnecessary investments in areas slated for replacement. Robley confirmed the transit van and front loader described in the budget are planned to be new units purchased for district use.

The board did not vote on the plan at the meeting. Merdersdorf said the board will be asked to approve the LTFM 10'year and indoor air quality management plan at the February 24 meeting, and that she will transfer detailed plan figures into required MDE forms in July when they are released.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northfield School District Board of Education Regular Meeting 2 10 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Director of finance Val Merdersdorf presented a proposed operating capital and long'term facility maintenance budget for 2025'26 totaling about $4.9 million in revenue and explained how the district plans to allocate those restricted funds.","taxTitle","NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",65549,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328818,"Authorizer staff report Prairie Creek and Arcadia are meeting program and legal benchmarks",473,287000,760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316869-a761275fec0e52cd27b3c210054797db&start=287&end=760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316869-a761275fec0e52cd27b3c210054797db/thumbnail_287000.jpg","/articles/6328818/Minnesota/Authorizer-staff-report-Prairie-Creek-and-Arcadia-are-meeting-program-and-legal-benchmarks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328818-2d416402e7aeef8c39a30369867b9c7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181726&Signature=AP4o7lGKNFm~EMCz2qYVyy0bb-57WkrV7DTgzhNWfv2Ac9S8f~aJjakzx1ek3YI5ikntcvOk4WgwiTnnKmL9lUYbMU-z-9aCvhDA4SW0Qfr04W~iI-o1Tf--3WmnrwzQWEfQ-NwlXPzZDxwEDIZ60Cq6UCGtRNKN4JIFKN8HnrcZA3dXYn-azWEHSIMHtFhLVkZznuuQ~xP5MrBZoajtmaLKHYyFLc-OT3s3S11ZILt7~EaII4rwG9hThol-Up21BmHISJvngxOcnEm~aoSJWYt3G-kQboW4pKrth8wXWw28HUcWG~1WXEEYgSTxwWSG4sfaEzHR~aYwO8DcqzcVuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Daryl Keller, alternative learning center director and the district''s charter authorizer lead, reported to the Northfield Public School Board on annual site visits to Prairie Creek Community School and Arcadia Charter School.

Keller told the board the visits, held the prior Thursday and Friday, were structured around four authorizer questions: Is the educational program successful? Is the organization efficient and well run? Is the school meeting legal obligations? Are strategies in place to sustain and improve performance over the charter term? Keller said evidence from classroom visits, interviews with staff, parents and students, and review of data indicated both schools were meeting those questions.

At Prairie Creek, Keller said staff, students and parents repeatedly referenced the school's mission as guiding decisions. He said the school's MCA performance and other data he reviewed supported that the program is working, and that he found no compliance findings during meetings with finance and special education staff. Keller said the school is also planning for leadership succession to sustain program continuity.

Keller reported Arcadia showed similar strengths at the middle- and high-school levels, highlighting the school's commitment to project'based learning alongside some structured class time. He said Arcadia's average ACT score of 26 compared with a national average of about 19.4 was one indicator of academic strength. He also said Arcadia appeared financially stable and in compliance with legal and reporting requirements.

Board members asked how authorization benefits the district. Keller and Superintendent Claudia Hillman said the relationship provides school choice for families, gives the district oversight to ensure compliance and allows district staff to learn practices (for example, lesson-study and project-based elements) that can inform Northfield Public Schools programs.

Keller said the visits included meetings with special education staff and finance teams; he reported no findings that would indicate unmet legal obligations. Hillman and board members thanked Keller for the site visits and for maintaining the district's authorizer relationship.

The board did not take formal action on the report; Keller said authorizer work continues through required reporting to the Minnesota Department of Education.","ALC director Daryl Keller reported that Northfield'authorized charter schools Prairie Creek Community School and Arcadia Charter School showed strong mission alignment, solid academic indicators and met legal and financial obligations during annual site visits.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328801,"Votes at a glance: Northfield Public School Board, Feb. 10, 2025",5384,67000,5451000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316869-a761275fec0e52cd27b3c210054797db&start=67&end=5451","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316869-a761275fec0e52cd27b3c210054797db/thumbnail_67000.jpg","/articles/6328801/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Northfield-Public-School-Board-Feb-10-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328801-bfe56835642f3cd0284fbd47b69bc85f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181726&Signature=JSaa-zaW5I6f8kt2Ohxc~O8LkKEiK4u4VE5gOknsB0Td2Eo7pLYudcJv9sd6MXUZqTxnh43BY-zZmFXtO5mJY4ZFQrc~3xqNuYS7117ZQjuqYgrlINx-hSz7QWfozNV5m8x9rk1GTiKh6S4tCXnRaj8O9VM-MDvg5MU2b-GajImKt08s79KO2h~yuQd~CBMvY5sO3CIKGsi9PqGWMNM4yHR82g~zj5TxLiLw-XBY3yCUAtx5NCoeUmpIdPTD3AYhcRV9CViXpnclrJPN2eTfK821ljkB5yyYSEG2iGBWarcGLUwzZIkFMwbt3uCT2vmbZH102hbfdk5CAtOAdO97eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Feb. 10, 2025 regular meeting the Northfield Public School Board recorded the following formal actions:

Accept agenda as presented: Motion requested and the board approved the agenda as presented (voice vote; mover and seconder not specified in the transcript). The chair opened the meeting at 6:02 p.m.

Consent grouping: Motion to approve the consent grouping (personnel items included from the table file) was moved by Board member Jenny and seconded by Board member Ben. The motion passed by voice vote.

Resolution authorizing administration to make recommendations regarding programs and staffing: The board approved a resolution authorizing administration to make recommendations for additions and reductions in programs and for adding or discontinuing positions. The motion was moved (mover not specified in the transcript) and seconded (not specified). A roll-call vote recorded the following \"aye\" votes: Butler; Epstein; Gorwitz; Miller; Nelson; Quinell; Gonzales George. The motion passed.

2025'26 school-year calendar: The proposed 2025'26 school calendar was moved by Board member Corey and seconded by Board member Ben. The board approved the calendar by voice vote.

The board took no other final actions at this meeting; many agenda items (budgets, policies, change'order procedure) were presented for discussion and will return for action at later meetings.","The board approved the meeting agenda, a consent grouping, a resolution authorizing administration to make programming/staffing recommendations, and the proposed 2025'26 school calendar. Roll-call votes were recorded for the resolution.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328806,"Board reviews proposed change-order approval tiers for reimagine high school project",89,2589000,2678000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316869-a761275fec0e52cd27b3c210054797db&start=2589&end=2678","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316869-a761275fec0e52cd27b3c210054797db/thumbnail_2589000.jpg","/articles/6328806/Minnesota/Board-reviews-proposed-change-order-approval-tiers-for-reimagine-high-school-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328806-c64510244c48e2911ebeb24887109b12/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181726&Signature=J8hqWHPdx0k15NiPPF4lzenI-Uma62ziRB20SFiHxObkP5cIE1MiwpFOUjZn-7jNHrFFcwFh6dymTxrTWmbIT06LKjG4xWiPobfpuzHXpGp5NBpZiHJNQedZolEmMgygD-y2z5ZnPmqE11s0NhZzNwcs5nn9k0xyvQJSOgfI6UFvp1YmfyrgZRvw65DAT66hF0qTU8dJa8gPDWjvJ3pazyuLN7o8pxJkKjxTHyyt4imWqIkGpfVe7JdgxMa3lYLwBsUVqTdm9n2OvmQwMBF9sp9926nBqs4HdLjlzZjsC90Ilkmx9Fsl7sVSXgtLf01k2-NKpqObau8FHdp2zThp6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Claudia Hillman told the board the core planning team for the Reimagine Northfield High School project is progressing and that the district is proposing a formal change'order approval procedure to manage potential costs and delays if changes are needed during construction.

Hillman said the district recommends three approval tiers: administrative approval for change orders less than $100,000 (to be approved by the superintendent, finance director and buildings and grounds director when all agree); review and approval by the project oversight committee for change orders between $100,000 and $175,000 (the project oversight group will include board representatives and project consultants); and full board approval for change orders above $175,000.

Hillman said the intent is to reduce delay and clarify governance while minimizing the number and size of change orders. She noted the district used a similar system during earlier construction work in 2018 and that typical large change items (for example, additional site fill) may still arise. The proposed procedure will be presented for board action at the Feb. 24 meeting.

Board members asked for examples of past high'dollar change orders and discussed procurement strategy for vehicles and equipment; Hillman and staff explained that some high'cost equipment (for example, front loaders) will be leased to avoid a large single cash outlay and that the district historically keeps vehicles for long service life to maximize value.

No vote was taken at the meeting; Hillman asked for feedback and said the district would return with the proposed procedure for formal approval.","Superintendent Claudia Hillman presented a proposed procedure to streamline approval of change orders on the high school construction project: administrative approval under $100,000, project oversight committee approval for $100,000'$175,000, and full board approval above $175,000.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328810,"Superintendent outlines priority'based budget reduction process amid declining enrollment and reduced reimbursements",513,3060000,3573000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316869-a761275fec0e52cd27b3c210054797db&start=3060&end=3573","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316869-a761275fec0e52cd27b3c210054797db/thumbnail_3060000.jpg","/articles/6328810/Minnesota/Superintendent-outlines-prioritybased-budget-reduction-process-amid-declining-enrollment-and-reduced-reimbursements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328810-43ff3099b8af8eee137d858d034835e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181726&Signature=OhJ8A3as~F5FwSfClmOYuVyizZldGcDs0gyyAX7yhwrTMMZTemaR0kvHQ-s8mvdWexQ3oJEwjKG5kIhiCGrV-pHJHKffmfEhb1~hLReSybDJ4ipO4PCmytHu3KYjR1llYqnYgya1JZ6nK6LS5y7-ZKihMVeLAl~LOXGOi3-qNc4G97Agh1O9~A4iEzOgCoONbrl4YBC6xXerf9gY6H6c78qYWC9TSSh-4F4TzSELbKmFsBezNtAZ8HtvlrVpP84jeoSgwWA-n4bTdzkneLCZIf1fjVPo-~Hy0zJbJfEO3Ebwd764KS2i~sJtAE-9hcKki5VABe8PljpUqchueGJiVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Claudia Hillman briefed the board on the priority based budget reduction process the district will use to identify recommended reductions for the 2025'26 operating budget.

Hillman said the district has recruited more than 60 community volunteers plus six students from the District Youth Council to serve on multi'week teams that will meet to generate and vet ideas. She outlined the timeline: three community committee meetings in February (the first scheduled the evening after the board meeting), a public community meeting on March 11 to review proposed reductions with the full community, a presentation of revised proposals at the April 14 board meeting, and final action to set budget targets at the April 28 meeting.

Hillman said the district faces three primary pressures: declining enrollment driven by lower birth rates and a limited housing inventory; new or expanded state and federal requirements; and state funding changes. She cited specific fiscal impacts that administrators have quantified: an anticipated reduction in special education cross'subsidy reimbursement because the state is prorating the program to about 95%, producing roughly $525,000 less revenue than expected; a potential $217,000 liability if the legislature does not fund summer unemployment program costs for hourly workers; an estimated $174,000 employer payroll cost tied to the state family medical leave payroll tax; and a TRA increase estimated at about $225,000.

Hillman emphasized the distinction between capital (bond) funding and operations, noting that the recently passed bond referendum will not be available to cover operating deficits because state law separates those revenue streams. She also reviewed open'enrollment figures and student movement: traditional district-to-district open enrollment shows the district receiving 489 nonresident students while 292 students open'enrolled out to other traditional public districts; larger counts of students leaving the district (867) include charter, online and private school enrollments and homeschooling and therefore reflect sources beyond traditional open enrollment.

Board members asked about committee materials and data. Val Merdersdorf explained the budget packages to be provided to committee members: summary tabs, line'item detail, position FTE and hours (no staff names), and participation details for activities with revenue. Hillman and Merdersdorf said administrators would convert community ideas into actionable reduction recommendations and return those proposals to the board after committee review. Hillman said special services (special education, EL, Title, health services) are constrained by federal/state maintenance'of'effort requirements and could not carry a pro rata reduction, so the district redistributed roughly $700,000 of that target to other teams to reach the overall $6 million goal.

Hillman asked the community and committee members to approach the work with an open mind and respect. The board did not take action at the meeting on specific reductions; the resolution authorizing administration to make recommendations for program and position changes (required annually to enable potential staffing changes) was considered and passed later in the meeting.","Superintendent Claudia Hillman updated the board on a community-driven priority based budget reduction process to identify about $6 million in reductions, explained enrollment trends and cited several state policy changes that reduce district revenue or add costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears proposed 2025'26 operating capital and long'term facility maintenance plan, indoor air quality update

Authorizer staff report Prairie Creek and Arcadia are meeting program and legal benchmarks

Votes at a glance: Northfield Public School Board, Feb. 10, 2025

Board reviews proposed change-order approval tiers for reimagine high school project

Superintendent outlines priority'based budget reduction process amid declining enrollment and reduced reimbursements