ENG 2024-25 Family Update No. 9
Oct. 25, 2024
Dear Northfield School District Families:
As you know, the district is holding a bond referendum to reimagine Northfield High School as part of the Nov. 5, 2024, general election.
This family update breaks down the second and third referendum questions, gives information about voting, the district’s strong history of stewardship with bond funds, tax impact and property tax rebate programs, and upcoming tours and events.
Our goal is that you have the factual information needed to make an informed decision at the ballot box. If you have any questions about the Reimagine Northfield High School bond referendum, please contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Matt
--
Matt Hillmann, Ed.D.
Superintendent
mhillmann@northfieldschools.org | 507-663-0629
- Question 2 features a gymnasium addition large enough for four full-sized basketball courts, dramatically improving access to indoor physical education, athletics, and community recreation.
- The facility could host a variety of sports and activities, including community programs such as pickleball.
- Note: Question 2 is contingent on Question 1 passing. If Question 1 does not pass, Question 2 cannot pass.
- Cost: $18.725 million.
Question 2, if it passes, will have a substantial and cascading impact on students throughout the district and facility access for community members. The high school has only one gym for 1,250 students and there are more requests for community and youth athletic association access to gyms than space available. Question 2 addresses many school and community needs:
Many people forget that a gym is a classroom. Additional gym space will benefit our physical education teachers and their classes.
Since there is only one gym on the high school campus, teams practice at the middle and elementary schools after school. The gym expansion allows these practices and activities to be held on the high school campus.
Due to high school practices in their gyms, elementary and middle school students are displaced and have limited access to after-school activities. If Question 2 passes, elementary and middle school activities would be able to use their gyms after school.
Minnesota law mandates that school districts incorporate a storm shelter capable of withstanding an F4 tornado when expanding their schools. If Question 2 is approved, the expanded gym could be reinforced to serve as this storm shelter, allowing funds from Question 1 to be allocated for additional improvements.
The expanded gymnasium would support increased community access for recreation and other activities, including a walking track.
Northfield Raiders head basketball coach and alumni Matt Christensen described what he sees as the impact of Question 2. “The lack of gym space has resulted in late nights for young kids practicing, community classes being restricted and high school sports competing for practice and competition space,” said Christensen. “Reimagine Northfield High School provides a unique opportunity to provide much needed gym space to meet the growing needs of multiple community groups.”
Question 3, if it passes, would improve the facility’s sustainability and save operating costs:
Geothermal technology leverages the consistent temperature in the ground and heat pumps to heat and cool facilities much more efficiently than traditional HVAC equipment.
According to Wold Architects and Engineers, a geothermal approach is essential in moving away from dependence on fossil fuels and will expand the opportunity to offset the building's energy use with on-site renewable power.
The improved efficiency will reduce the total building energy use by up to 60% providing energy cost savings of up to 25%.
Any operational cost savings have a positive impact on the general fund, the same fund we use to pay teachers and staff.
On October 21, Carleton College offered a tour of its geothermal system, installed in 2020. You can view the slide deck here.
Early voting has started in Minnesota. You can learn more about early voting at your county or city websites:
The Northfield School District has a history of being good stewards of bond funds. Two examples are:
In 2018, voters approved $41 million to address facility needs at the district’s elementary schools. Because of the district’s AA+ bond rating and a great bid day, the district bonded for $39 million — $2 million less than the voters approved. The projects were completed as scheduled and on budget with approximately 60% of the build time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The district is finishing paying off the Northfield Middle School debt. Because of diligent attention to the markets and strategic refinancing of debt, Ehler’s, Inc. estimates that taxpayers paid $4 million less in interest than initially projected.
You can learn about your personal tax impact by using the district’s tax impact calculator, provided by Ehler’s, Inc.
Some taxpayers may qualify for one of Minnesota's property tax refund programs. You can learn more at https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/property-tax-refund.
One property tax refund program that can assist homeowners is the Homeowner's Homestead Credit Refund. This year's criteria for a regular refund includes:
- You owned and lived in the same home on January 2, 2023, and on January 2, 2024
- Your home's net property tax increased by more than 12% from 2023 to 2024
- The net property tax increase was at least $100
- The increase was not because of improvements you made to the property
This information is from the Minnesota Department of Revenue's Homeowner's Homestead Credit Refund web site.
There is also a renter's property tax refund program. You can learn more about that program here.
A high school tour is one of the best ways to personally see the facility problems the bond referendum aims to address. We look forward to hosting you on the final tour before the election.
Saturday, Nov. 2: 10 am - 12 pm, NHS Tour, enter at door #10 and meet in the media center
