The Northfield Public Schools board opened its superintendent search on March 6 with MSBA consultant Amy Jordan, agreed to post the vacancy March 10, open a public input survey, and tentatively set a starting salary range of $200,000 to 230,000; the board also sketched April interview dates and left optional national advertising off the table.
Board members reviewed and edited a three-page vacancy brochure (opening, strategic plan and leadership profile), discussed respondent categories for the public survey, and selected two supplemental application questions to narrow the candidate pool.
Board presented a new midyear evaluation format focused on five priority areas (school‑to‑work, budget‑reduction impacts, an AI staff academy, enrollment research, and improving BIPOC student experiences) and concluded Hillman is on track; Hillman said focused feedback was actionable.
Architects and the construction manager presented construction documents, a 4‑phase schedule, 10 Darcy geothermal wells, and site circulation updates; the board was told bidding starts late March and additions aim to open in early 2028 with final work through 2029.
The board unanimously approved a 10‑year stadium naming rights deal with Heritage Bank ($18,000/year), accepted a guaranteed minimum $142,000 bid from Tech Reboot Inc. to buy ~411 MacBook Air laptops, and carried the consent agenda 5–0.
After a request from Director of Special Services Sarah Pratt, the board approved a full‑time and a part‑time special‑services position to respond to complex student needs. Pratt said approximately 55% of the salaries are reimbursable and the district’s net cost for the remainder of the school year is just over $23,000.
Administration presented a naming‑rights proposal for Memorial Field; Heritage Bank was the high bidder at $18,000 annually for 10 years. Board members raised contract protections and design questions; administration will bring a draft contract to the Jan. 26 meeting for approval.
At its organizational meeting, the Northfield Public School District Board elected Claudia Gonzales George as chair, Corey Butler as vice chair, Maggie Epstein as clerk and Amy as treasurer; the board approved a 2026 meeting schedule starting at 6 p.m., maintained board stipends ($4,000; chair $5,000) and reviewed several policies and a 2019 resolution on combined clerk/treasurer duties.
At its Jan. 12 meeting the Northfield Public School Board approved a revised 2025–26 general fund budget after a presentation from the district finance director. Audited special-education revenue and settled contracts helped produce a roughly $1.9 million surplus and an improved ending fund-balance projection.
The district reported January enrollment of 3,685 (excluding early childhood and part‑time ALC students) and previewed an upcoming construction update: design teams will present next meeting, pre‑bid work begins in February and bids are expected to be approved in early April.
