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Northfield district to pursue Say Something reporting, MOU with Saint Olaf for reunification site
Summary
Superintendent Matt Hillman told the board Oct. 27 the district will likely adopt the Say Something anonymous-reporting system (funded by Sandy Hook Promise) and has an MOU with Saint Olaf College to use campus facilities for reunification in the event of an evacuation; district staff completed I Love You Guys reunification training.
Superintendent Matt Hillman said the district is shifting its anonymous-tip platform and strengthening reunification planning with a nearby college during the Oct. 27 board meeting.
Hillman told the board the district previously used a county-supported TIP411 tool and then Scribe Stoppers briefly, but because the county no longer supports TIP411 the district has evaluated alternatives and is "very likely" to shift to Say Something, a 24-hour anonymous-reporting system funded by the Sandy Hook Promise. "We will very likely be shifting to something that's called Say Something," Hillman said, noting Buildings and Grounds staff will attend additional sessions this week to finalize details.
On reunification planning, Hillman said Saint Olaf College has provided a gift and signed a memorandum of understanding allowing the college to serve as a reunification site, with campus police, nutrition services and large indoor spaces to support queuing and family reunification if a school evacuation ever required relocation. The district has trained leaders in the I Love You Guys Foundation reunification protocol and has simulated reunification, Hillman said.
Hillman framed the moves as part of a layered safety strategy that balances physical security with social-emotional connection. "School safety is about more than just the physical and the security piece. It's also about promoting safety through connection," he said.
The board discussed the shift to an externally staffed tip line because the district lacks capacity to operate a 24-hour anonymous-tip service internally. No formal vote was recorded on the change; Hillman said staff will complete procurement and configuration steps before announcing implementation details.
