ENG 2024-25 Family Update No. 15
Dec. 12, 2024
2024-25 Family Update No. 15 | Dec. 12, 2024
⏰ Reading time: three minutes, one second
💭 Superintendent's Message
Dear Northfield Public Schools Families:
Local author Bruce Colwell wrote the following paragraph in his book, "A City of Schools. A History of Public Education in Northfield, Minnesota":
“At the May 20, 1980, special election, voters also selected two school board directors in a closely contested horse race among Control Data manager Noel Stratmoen and rural farmers Harold Paulson and Phil Parsons. Paulson and Parsons, as expected, swept the five rural precincts, but Stratmoen won both city precincts to win a seat along with Paulson in the remarkably close finish: Stratmoen, 1,319; Paulson, 1,318; and Parsons, 1,254. Stratmoen’s victory marked the beginning of the longest tenure in board history. Stratmoen has served, uninterrupted, from 1980 to the present.”
Noel Stratmoen was elected in 1980 and re-elected 11 times since. While Noel is on the school board’s equivalent of a medical leave, the Dec. 9 regular meeting would have been the final one of his storied 44-year tenure on the board.
The district recognized Noel, and his wife Lois, by declaring Dec. 10 to be Noel and Lois Stratmoen Day in the school district for their outstanding service and dedication, tireless effort, and constant support.
Dr. Rob Hardy has been serving in Noel’s place since August. An accomplished poet, Dr. Hardy wrote this poem in Noel’s honor. I encourage you to read it. Noel’s public service was exemplary and a model for other elected officials to emulate.
As always, don’t hesitate to contact me directly with feedback or questions about the school district.
Sincerely,
Matt
--
Matt Hillmann, Ed.D.
Superintendent
mhillmann@northfieldschools.org | 507-663-0629
📊 Audit results and budget presentation
The board heard the annual audit results, held its truth in taxation hearing, approved the annual district tax levy, and approved its revised budget. Here are the highlights:
The district has earned its sixth consecutive “clean” audit, indicating that there are no findings related to basic financial statements, internal controls or legal compliance. Achieving six consecutive “clean” audits is exceptional and highlights the district’s strong financial practices and procedures.
The audit reveals that the Northfield School District spends less per student on administrative costs and more on regular instruction compared to similarly sized school districts and the state average.
For 2025, the district's tax levy has increased by 26.4% due to voter approval of all three Reimagine Northfield High School referendum questions. It’s important to note that the tax levy represents the total amount apportioned to all taxpayers in the district and does not equate to the increase in an individual’s property taxes.
The district's revised budget indicates a decline in enrollment this school year, as anticipated. Additionally, the district is facing greater-than-expected expenditures for special education transportation, health insurance, and retirement benefits.
Consequently, the projected end-of-year fund balance is estimated at 12.17% of annual expenditures, which is below the district's benchmark of 14%. This situation is likely to prompt budget adjustments for the 2025-26 school year.
Despite the fund balance being below the district's benchmark, the district remains in a strong financial position, enabling a thoughtful response to these challenges. More information will be provided in January 2025.
You can learn more by reading the audit summary and presentation and the truth in taxation and budget narratives and presentations.
🔔 Reminder: Reimagine NHS community input event
The district will hold a community event to invite suggestions for the Reimagine Northfield High School project. Here are the details:
Date: Dec. 17, 2024
Time: 6 pm—7:30 pm
Location: Northfield High School Media Center
The event will be an “open house” style event, so come at any point between 6-7:30 pm
🪧 Dec. 9, 2024 board update
- Board packets, table files, and meeting videos are located on our website.
- You can listen to Superintendent Hillmann’s update on KYMN radio.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The Northfield School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in employment. You can learn more at: https://northfieldschools.org/about/departments/human-resources/ under the Title IX tab.