[{"_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",6270186,"mediaKeyId","3038698-82f0e40e4ff7d0f91ba9f5e139c94b01","parentId",3038698,"title","Northfield board reviews $6 million reduction packages; class‑size targets, transportation fees, substitutes and counselors draw questions","audioSeconds",4212,"startMs",1255000,"endMs",5467000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3038698-82f0e40e4ff7d0f91ba9f5e139c94b01&start=1255&end=5467","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3038698-82f0e40e4ff7d0f91ba9f5e139c94b01/thumbnail_1255000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6270186/Minnesota/Northfield-board-reviews-6-million-reduction-packages-classsize-targets-transportation-fees-substitutes-and-counselors-draw-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270186-34bce27f56b75a4f7b978813c0720620/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151189&Signature=YlpIs9QBcCeQdvobFGPwrFpbNxV0ehVR-S1D5md2ZQ602hDcXKup6WVwuEN2GDhksABp7QYwyCga4Zy4ebj6jm24ZMB14eU2xzFO0Pgy8pqh3xqq~E9ohwzbGupP2A91bJBGPhOw3PAIIsz4kl5ZnG9JGBwCpoixrErC97cfw4rjo4cy0jYCKZIF3F661p3oFeGdiyktpaslMd4T~nrFsVrYoMbPdguxYz9-3ClvarlSRnDRoQNusfwgSk8e4iwA0WUkK1ykb1VvYfeK6aVP60OUh6TAl9NopmShq6fHTB7GvJcsGZ4sjqsxceK7CGMylHsVZ3jOzwdExhPgVBTGlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northfield Public Schools","date","2025-04-17T14:37:00.23Z","article","The Northfield School Board spent an extended portion of its April 14 meeting reviewing draft priority‑based budget reduction packages intended to close roughly $6 million in expected revenue shortfalls.

Superintendent Dr. Hillman opened the discussion and asked board members to limit questions to the packages under review. Administrators presented packages grouped by topic — activities, district services, elementary, secondary, and special services — and asked the board to discuss the individual line items at an upcoming work session and vote on changes at the May 27 meeting.

Key items and points raised during debate and clarification requests:

- Transportation fee and routing: The district proposed charging some families a transportation fee for students living within two miles of a school; administrators said they will provide a list of affected students and that the two‑mile distance is measured by road distance to the school front door. A board member asked administrators to model how many families would be affected and how additional parent drop‑off could alter traffic patterns at elementary sites.

- Substitute staffing: The district proposed eliminating two full‑time substitute positions that were created during the pandemic to stabilize daily coverage. Administrators said the two full‑time subs spent about 65% of their time covering teacher absences and 35% covering educational assistant roles; they reported only 49 total unfilled absences districtwide this year. Board members asked for data about frequency of unmet coverage needs and the potential incremental costs of patching coverage if the full‑time positions are eliminated.

- Instructional services and HR restructuring: The district proposed not replacing one instructional services position and redistributing responsibilities across remaining staff and district leadership; Superintendent Dr. Hillman said he would assume leadership for that team and work to redistribute duties while acknowledging some non‑essential tasks would be discontinued. Human resources changes include a retirement and partial return arrangement for an HR leader, with some investigative and negotiation duties shifting to the superintendent.

- Elementary class‑size targets: The reduction package uses target divisors of 20 for kindergarten, 24 for grades 1–3 and 27 for grades 4–5 to calculate required teaching sections. Administrators said the targets apply to general‑education homerooms (licensed teacher to student ratios) and do not include special‑education caseloads or educational assistant staffing. Board members requested more detail on current class counts, contingency FTE usage and how targets would be applied where some classes already exceed target sizes.

- Secondary scheduling and electives: The middle school schedule changes under consideration include a shift from a seven‑period day to a six‑period model. Administrators identified three related savings items that together reflect most of the financial impact of that schedule change: a reduction of middle‑school electives (line item 49), elimination of a middle‑school media center educational assistant (line item 62) and adjustment to the health position (line item 64). Board members raised questions about compliance with Minnesota arts standards, bundling arts standards across courses, and whether quarter‑long elective models could satisfy standards.

- Counselors and attendance: The high school and middle school each carry proposals to reduce counselor FTE (line items 53 and 55). Administrators described counselors’ roles in attendance work and proactive interventions; they said social workers and other staff also participate in attendance interventions and that district attendance coding has been a statewide and local data challenge. Board members asked for specifics about counselor duties, whether social workers can absorb additional work and historical timing of counselor hires (counselors added in 2021 with federal ESSER‑era funding).

- Health services staffing: One reduction option would convert three school‑site licensed nurses to non‑licensed health aids paired with licensed coverage across two buildings; in response to public concern, administrators offered an alternate (76a) that would keep a licensed nurse on‑site at each building while reducing the department’s total FTE by one (i.e., six licensed nurse FTE instead of seven). Staff said that the district maintains a pool of substitute nurses and that coverage plans would be used on days with absences.

Administrators repeatedly emphasized the packages are a set of tradeoffs; several board members urged more detailed data for the April 22 work session, including the number of students affected by a transportation fee, the contingency FTE history and impact on class sizes, up‑to‑date fund‑balance modeling and alternate scenarios if state special‑education reimbursements change. Superintendent Dr. Hillman described the May 27 consent‑style process the board will use: each package will be presented as a block, board members may remove specific line items for separate discussion, then the remaining package will be approved and removed items considered individually.

No formal reductions were approved at the April 14 meeting; the board approved the consent agenda and other routine items but deferred line‑by‑line reduction decisions to the work session and the May 27 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northfield School District Board of Education Regular Meeting 4 14 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Northfield School Board spent an extended portion of its April 14 meeting reviewing draft priority‑based budget reduction packages intended to close roughly $6 million in expected revenue shortfalls.","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},6270191,"Northfield recommends 10% health premium increase; dental and health remain self‑insured with $125,000 stop‑loss",727,511000,1238000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3038698-82f0e40e4ff7d0f91ba9f5e139c94b01&start=511&end=1238","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3038698-82f0e40e4ff7d0f91ba9f5e139c94b01/thumbnail_511000.jpg","/articles/6270191/Minnesota/Northfield-recommends-10-health-premium-increase-dental-and-health-remain-selfinsured-with-125000-stoploss","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270191-fe95623085a17b1759a79341d8ff6ad5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151189&Signature=jIRKU-7q8vJRMXulNHET2j7TYUIMhgA76Olnxv0lkM5yp5mGzRQy1OUz8BNKHd04UcnwMslPWDk4XO5yjACmF8cMYSUX-rQhvSdoimkdez2z2ygA-8E93EpSFWeK~vVYN69FWQG837tqESNCyAIy2qd1~FJXxqHDFcQF~qrPOGV~pPPzh1fZgQpF0HuXICDhvkEjguqeoUFCqZNec0YNzvzIUj5kIKY3AH1O858G8luLyfzT0XmKbUr3r0E~eUUIHdBp-lgzS21LfBWVe14lsFWHt2F1ZHBQP7GoP9qmFES8qCXdlqZ2~p1TKhfw5xbTSTq~jaO43VEWAd4YtV3Trw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Val Mersdorf, director of finance, presented the district’s internal service fund budget on April 14, describing the accounts that pay for the district’s self‑insured health and dental plans.

Mersdorf said the district has self‑insured dental since February 2006 and self‑insured health since February 2012. She described revenues as premium payments (paid in part by the district, part by employees and by some retirees under contractual agreements), and expenditures as claims paid plus administrative fees. The district’s stop‑loss coverage is set at $125,000 per member per year.

Mersdorf told the board that overall enrollment in both plans has declined slowly, which she attributed in part to staff reductions and household choices. She said the benefits advisory committee recommended a 10 percent increase to health premiums effective January 1, 2026 (presentation described that a 10% increase was recommended for the next plan year). For dental, the presentation said a 5 percent premium increase took effect January 1, 2025; dental premiums had been unchanged for many years prior.

The director reviewed recent claim history and high‑cost claimants: in 2024, 24 claimants exceeded 50 percent of the stop‑loss threshold (i.e., $62,500) and nine exceeded the full stop‑loss amount, producing a cumulative excess over stop‑loss of roughly $1.45 million for those nine claimants. Mersdorf said the number and cost of very high claimants has declined compared with earlier years.

Mersdorf said the district reviews whether self‑insurance remains the most cost‑effective approach and obtains fully insured quotes every two years; she reported that a fully insured quote received in the most recent review would have increased premiums by more than 30 percent compared with remaining self‑insured.

Board members asked for additional details during later work sessions, including enrollment counts by school, projected fund‑balance metrics, and the district’s prescription‑rebate arrangements with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Mersdorf said the board will be asked to adopt the internal service fund budget at the May 27 meeting.","District finance director presented the internal service fund covering self‑insured health and dental plans, reported declining enrollment, recommended a 10% health premium increase and described stop‑loss coverage at $125,000 per member.",{"_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},6270196,"Northfield projects about $9.9 million revenue, $8.9 million in debt payments for 2025–26 debt service fund",334,158000,492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3038698-82f0e40e4ff7d0f91ba9f5e139c94b01&start=158&end=492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3038698-82f0e40e4ff7d0f91ba9f5e139c94b01/thumbnail_158000.jpg","/articles/6270196/Minnesota/Northfield-projects-about-99-million-revenue-89-million-in-debt-payments-for-202526-debt-service-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270196-92525edeca87e7eca73e34c586389176/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151189&Signature=e9Ivt~jLHM2-tvsxiM02fxdo2aqyfIgkj-TCArjfpHYqsVLd48qolO0XxBl-S~XYj1yaSD-0jpZi4NkQ6HnzqkCDf1gpOz1QhD4CpTeLmh12PzlNNWttVqx2bhCPz8YsrwqtoavBf9320lA1Z-DxrE~2NvEGbp81jKWpx6L2q8px8A2oo5NWm4k4fxIlmYMAaIhDQ-5Zya7iDFkn8Eh3IIJu-KzBVb3XRJ2xap873IxEAlvD4I~65OCs~RhaF-XS5ATw3LaXHu7xcUg8oHBumj-44AhCPMIwLoaraAauC9VzYjY2Nr3XfVbOzWBol0nV~yrarQsPyOQBVdcPN9wr4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Val Mersdorf, director of finance for the Northfield Public School District, told the school board on April 14 that the district plans about $9.9 million in revenue and roughly $8.9 million in principal, interest and fees for the 2025–26 debt service fund.

Mersdorf said the district levies 105 percent of required principal and interest for voter‑approved and state‑authorized debt, and that some payments are offset by state credits — most notably Long Term Facility Maintenance (LTFM) aid. She described the debt service fund as “one of the most straightforward” budgets because expenditures are principally bond principal, interest and associated fees.

The budget presentation noted that the district recently paid off middle‑school debt, and that the Reimagine Northfield High School bond — for which the district issued $39 million this year and anticipates issuing additional bonds in May 2026 — is adding to the levy. Mersdorf showed the district’s outstanding debt schedule over the next 23 years, which she said amounts to about $112 million including interest.

Mersdorf said the district expects an ending debt service fund balance of about $2.9 million for 2025–26, roughly double what she described as a more typical balance of about $1.5 million. She told the board that the Minnesota Department of Education reviews three‑year fund balances and can reduce a district’s tax levy if the balance grows large enough to warrant an adjustment.

The board did not take final action on the debt service fund at the April 14 meeting; Mersdorf said the board will be asked to adopt the debt service fund budget at its May 27 meeting.

The presentation included the district’s principal and interest schedules, a list of four outstanding bond issues and the district’s strategy to level payments over time to stabilize levy impact for taxpayers.","District finance director presented the debt service fund budget for fiscal 2025–26, explaining the 5% levy rule, state credits tied to long‑term facility maintenance aid, recent bond issues for the Reimagine Northfield High School project and an anticipated fund balance that may trigger a Department of Education levy adjustment.",{"_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},6270174,"Votes at a glance: Northfield School Board (April 14, 2025) — agenda, consent items and policy changes approved",2525,3359000,5884000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3038698-82f0e40e4ff7d0f91ba9f5e139c94b01&start=3359&end=5884","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3038698-82f0e40e4ff7d0f91ba9f5e139c94b01/thumbnail_3359000.jpg","/articles/6270174/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Northfield-School-Board-April-14-2025-agenda-consent-items-and-policy-changes-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270174-cb93db965cd9a2db01f51b27ec4b9cb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151189&Signature=Huv05V2divqBHSNu-lTbZ2iQU3O7JFRksd9ObkUkU9P6EiqSbVlq~pivsdHBFVBHAkqJTQyhzMDZdf0h6VT7Kas3sjqbZ28Y-9vtzgNSeE1-LC90Jo8XMcPbFXfXmly60UdmCRTPsIe348Wo7qUXweIwkqv2NZCT0TeawOtrHA5ZC3ZiI9F5zIjEPHq~PQTZ0KEj5Z2PJS2YLfh34G4PTiE1SzjwCiwkIqhONd8eUsYyML2YeBA~Q-TFuuCEncLkzURBuK3BACpFfQXNHFVJ9Hss-v3PhBGhgB5yOlZJrzZrzard7UEeEymS-c3uxv-hdv~U7uaX-QrZOgm2dWxGgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April 14, 2025 meeting the Northfield School Board took the following vote actions recorded in the public minutes and livestream recording.

- Motion to adopt the meeting agenda as presented (including table file personnel items). Moved by \"check;\" seconded by Jenny. Outcome: approved by voice vote (all those in favor said “aye”; no recorded opposition).

- Motion to approve the consent grouping (including added personnel items in the table file). Moved by Ben; seconded by Maggie. Outcome: approved by voice vote (all those in favor said “aye”; no recorded opposition).

- Motion to approve policy committee recommended changes to policies 411, 412, 415, 417, 4203 and 903. Moved by \"check;\" seconded by Jenny. Outcome: approved by voice vote (all those in favor said “aye”; no recorded opposition).

- Motion to adjourn. Moved by Jen; seconded by Jen. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

The meeting record shows voice votes with no roll‑call tallies recorded in the transcript; where the recording lists movers or seconders, those names are presented exactly as spoken in the public meeting record.","The board adopted the meeting agenda, approved the consent grouping (including added personnel items), approved policy committee recommendations, and adjourned. Detailed motions, movers/seconders and outcomes are listed below.",{"_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},6270180,"Northfield construction update: board to see designs May 12; district received first $1 million from Carleton College pledge",98,3387000,3485000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3038698-82f0e40e4ff7d0f91ba9f5e139c94b01&start=3387&end=3485","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3038698-82f0e40e4ff7d0f91ba9f5e139c94b01/thumbnail_3387000.jpg","/articles/6270180/Minnesota/Northfield-construction-update-board-to-see-designs-May-12-district-received-first-1-million-from-Carleton-College-pledge","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270180-2b7bc4ec1384f0ba16253302c425c2d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151189&Signature=gfX-PpqbAy6M1D5H1KmXDEaiyiX0EYh0FNTOu6D6BUUfx6Sx9kvZszicJ6hZi3d5eK91v5TqWIZpZ-SAD9Xhi7IYhpUbygAeZLtF~-sdirQqcd0~SUzwFfE3FJtprltzRr2rdzN~YJxIryR~HYn3cQPMdWF85O~9RnlofGBdhilCHrdntml9uTE~dcVvHCaDod6i01UyJadDp61OpOesyFLE~5KXP4JnRuhs5qvKEWirAp5WxRAAXCJsxZpfk2vG2u7xFGA81jTmBQ~BGzCdDM-XpsJVjT3xazKno5QquSNyB~GUIJ~uMb0skhLRwBhSfekv-HWdzyce~qD7iJMdFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Hillman told the board on April 14 that core planning work for the Reimagine Northfield High School project is close to substantial completion and that the district will present large‑format drawings to the public at a May 12 board meeting.

Dr. Hillman said the district is coordinating with the City of Northfield on project details and that the project’s complexity requires ongoing intergovernmental coordination. He also reported that the district received a wire transfer for $1,000,000 on March 27 — the first half of a $2,000,000 pledge from Carleton College. The superintendent said the second $1,000,000 is expected in 2027 per the pledge timeline.

The construction update was provided as an information item; no formal action was taken at the April 14 meeting.","Superintendent reported that core planning drawings for the Reimagine Northfield High School project are nearing substantial completion and that the district received the first $1 million of a two‑million dollar pledge from Carleton College; the second payment is expected in 2027.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Northfield board reviews $6 million reduction packages; class‑size targets, transportation fees, substitutes and counselors draw questions

Northfield recommends 10% health premium increase; dental and health remain self‑insured with $125,000 stop‑loss

Northfield projects about $9.9 million revenue, $8.9 million in debt payments for 2025–26 debt service fund

Votes at a glance: Northfield School Board (April 14, 2025) — agenda, consent items and policy changes approved

Northfield construction update: board to see designs May 12; district received first $1 million from Carleton College pledge