⏰ Reading time: Four minutes, 12 seconds

Dear Northfield School District Families:

As I shared in the last board update, long-time board member Noel Stratmoen temporarily resigned due to health reasons. Noel is currently the longest-serving school board member in the state, having been first elected in 1980.

At the July 8 regular meeting, the board accepted Noel’s temporary resignation and discussed the process for appointing a temporary replacement. Since Noel’s term ends at the end of the year, the board voted to direct the chair to seek a former board member to serve during Noel’s absence. If a former board member with service as of 2020 or later was not interested, applications from eligible district residents would have been considered.

Board chair Claudia Gonzalez-George spoke with former board members and will recommend that Rob Hardy be appointed to serve as the temporary replacement until Noel Stratmoen can return to his seat or until the end of his term.

Dr. Hardy (pictured) was elected to the board twice and held office from 2013 to 2021. He served as the board’s treasurer and on numerous committees. Dr. Hardy earned a B.A. degree from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. at Brown University. He has taught at Carleton College, been an active community member, was the Northfield Arts and Culture Commission’s first poet laureate, and advised the Northfield Skateboard Coalition. Dr. Hardy currently serves as the Rice County representative on the Southeast Minnesota Arts Council.

The board will vote on his appointment at its Aug. 12 regular meeting. If approved, he will immediately join the board.

Please continue to hold Noel (and his wife, Lois) in your hearts and wish him a successful recovery.

As always, contact me directly with any questions or feedback about the school district.

Sincerely,

Matt

--

Matt Hillmann, Ed.D.

Superintendent

mhillmann@northfieldschools.org | 507-663-0629

Be an informed voter!

• Next NHS Tour: Saturday, July 27, 2024, 9-11 a.m. Enter at Door No. 10 and meet in the media center. The high school tour is one of the best ways to see the problems the referendum intends to address.

• Visit our Reimagine Northfield High School website, which contains detailed information.

• You can view all of the referendum-related events here. The district will provide a presentation for any group that asks for one. Contact Anita Aase at (507) 663-0629 to schedule a presentation.

Congratulations to the Raiders skeet team who successfully defended

their Class 2A championship. The Raiders finished 22 points ahead of second place with a score of 455. Top honors went to:

• Tadd Stanton won the overall high gun and male division high gun competitions.
• Jadyn Schulz tied for first in the female division high gun competition and took second place on the reverse run.
• Ava Miller placed third in the female division in the high gun competition.

The championship was one of numerous significant victories for the program this season. The clay target team finished 11th at the state tournament and collectively hit 471 out of 500 targets.

Congratulations to head coach Pete Mergens and the dozens of volunteer coaches on a successful season.

Congratulations to NHS student Elizabeth McCormick who graduated from the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. Youth Leadership Program in Quantico, Virginia.

The program offers lifelong enrichment opportunities to support exceptional young leaders' drive for knowledge and their desire to make a difference in the world through service. The program offers eight days of leadership and fitness training and immersive experiences in the Washington, D.C. area.

Participants must demonstrate high academic standards and good citizenship to be nominated for this program. Way to go, Elizabeth!

The Northfield Raiders girls hockey team will be participating in

Hockey Day Minnesota 2025!

Our Raiders will face off against rival Orono in Shakopee on Jan. 23. 2025. This is an amazing opportunity to showcase our outstanding girls’ hockey program. Congratulations Coach Paige Haley and the Raiders!

Four (4) school board seats will be on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot as Claudia Gonzalez-George, Corey Butler, Amy Goerwitz, and Noel Stratmoen's terms expire.

Here is what you need to know about filing for the school board election:

• Filing period: July 30-Aug. 13, 2024.

• An affidavit of candidacy and a $2 filing fee must be submitted prior to 5 p.m. on Aug. 13.

• Filing will occur at the Northfield School District Office (201 Orchard Street S). Enter at Door No. 1 on Orchard Street S.

• District office hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Fridays until Aug. 2. After that, district office hours are 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Prospective school board candidates are invited to visit the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) Running for School Board webpage.

• Prospective school board candidates are invited to schedule a meeting with Superintendent Matt Hillmann to learn more about the Northfield School District.

• Please call Anita Aase at (507) 663-0629 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hillmann or if you have any questions about filing for school board.

• What and Why? A free community picnic celebrating area first responders. This event is open to all ages.
• When? Monday, July 22, 2024. 5-8 p.m.
• Where? Spring Creek Park (soccer field complex.)
• Download the flyer here.

• The school board held a regular meeting on July 8.
• Board packets, table files, and meeting videos are located on our website.
• You can listen to Superintendent Hillmann’s recap on KYMN radio.