Richardson explains SEE platform – Dahle sponsoring bill
Northfield School Superintendent Chris Richardson presented the Schools for Equity in Education (SEE) platform to the School Board last week. Northfield has been associated with SEE for many years, they represent about a third of the districts in the State. There are many school facilities around the state that are deteriorating. There’s a disparity in that 25 of the largest districts have the ability to do what are called alternative facilities levies allowing them to levy for long term repairs. The other 300 plus do not. Richardson says SEE is looking for the Governor and the legislature to level the playing field. This bill would also help with dollars for Special Education, funding for English as a 2nd language and kids who are on the reduced lunch program. The point is to make sure the formulas are used fairly across the board. Some districts, mostly in the Metro, are given hundreds of dollars more per student than rural districts. Richardson said that SEE would like legislators to do things that equalize property tax efforts. Meaning areas of low property wealth, of which Northfield is included, don’t have to get more money from taxpayers to get the same amount of help from the State. District 20 Senator Kevin Dahle is a sponsor of the bill. He says there are supporters even in the wealthier school districts this time around. When asked if he thought it could pass, “I think so”. Dahle, along with Representative Bly and new representative Bob Vogel, will be setting up town hall meetings in the coming weeks. He’ll be in studio on Friday morning, as he is each week at 8:45 through the legislative session.
MLK Community celebration tonight
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Northfield celebrates. The Human Rights Commission is sponsoring the 21st annual Community Celebration at Greenvale Park School. It’s a full program entitled “Seeking Justice for Everyone”. HPC member Franklin Lee adds that the Northfield Youth Choir, Troubadors will perform as well as a theatrical performance by the Nfld. High School Performing Arts. Aztec Dancers will perform. The guest speaker is Sambath Ouk. They will also present this years recipient of the HPC Human Rights Award is The Northfield Union of Youth aka The Key. The Northfield Union of Youth (NUY) is a Nonprofit youth-run youth center. All ideas for programs, projects and events are all generated by the youth. Lee says this is, for some, a haven. For others a focal point and others a safe place to do homework. Following the Award, there will then be an Open Mic period. The celebration begins at 7 o’clock.
Carleton sponsors “Black Lives Matter: Conversations for Change” tomorrow night
Carleton College invites the public to a campus dialogue on racial justice in America. Carleton will host “BlackLivesMatter: Conversations for Change,” on Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Skinner Memorial Chape. A panel discussion with faculty and guest speakers will follow with a Q&A session. For more information call (507) 222-4394. The Skinner Memorial Chapel is located on First Street between College and Winona Streets in Northfield.
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