Northfield Public Schools Board of Education has announced that they will enter into contract negotiations with Dr. Matthew Hillmann to be the next Superintendent of Northfield Public Schools effective July 1, 2016. He is replacing outgoing superintendent Dr. Chris Richardson, who is retiring after 12 years with the District.

Dr. Hillmann has served in the Northfield School District for seven years, currently as the Director of Administrative Services and previously as the Director of Human Resources and Technology. Prior to coming to Northfield, he served as a Principal, Director of Curriculum and Technology and the District Assessment Coordinator for Belle Plaine Public Schools.  Dr. Hillmann began his career in education as a teacher in Madelia Public Schools.

Dr. Hillman holds a B.A. degree from St. John’s University in New York and a doctorate from Minnesota State University, Mankato.  He lives in Northfield with his wife and their three school-aged children.

The hiring of Dr. Hillmann follows the search process that included input from the community, staff and administration. The initial step of the process included a series of focus group meetings and an online staff and community survey that resulted in the development of the New Superintendent Profile. On April 5th, interview teams representing the community, staff and administrators each conducted interviews of Dr. Hillmann and provided their individual feedback to the Board.  The School Board also conducted an in-depth interview of the candidate. Following deliberations, the School Board cast a six to one vote in favor of entering into contract negotiations with Dr. Hillmann.

The School Board wishes to thank members of the community, District staff and administrators for their invaluable input during the search process. Partnering with all District stakeholders was vital to the process of selecting the next superintendent of Northfield Public Schools.