Our school board evening began at 5pm at the Chambers board room with a ceremonial opening of the time capsule that was found in the cornerstone of the old high school 1921 building. With much anticipation, yet having no idea what if anything was still in the metal box, many people gathered to witness history revealed. The event was captured on video which you can view on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH0Dx69uJMg. Upon opening the box in the presence of Superintendent Elstad, Principal Kath, and all school board members, we were each able to show a piece of material found in the box. Contents were all papers including newspapers, club information, high school information, and various documents dated 1920 or earlier. Items from the time capsule will be preserved and eventually displayed for the public to view.
Our regular board meeting then began at 5:30pm. Superintendent Elstad recognized the Owatonna high school students who sang the national anthem at the Governor’s State of the State address recently given at our own OHS. In addition, one student was able to interview one on one with Governor Walz and represented Owatonna well. I was able to hear the singing of the national anthem and it was beautiful!
No comments for public forum.
The board received a presentation from Dr. Sarah Knudsen and Rhynda Dulas with highlights from our Special Education department. Starting with statistics, Dr. Knudsen noted that there is an increased need for special education services as the number of qualifying students has increased, now 20% of our student body. She notes that some of these students are open enrolled because of all the services drawing families to OPS. Highlights over the last year include:
1. A new math intervention program for elementary students called Georgia Numeracy.
2. The Setting III Stride students will be dividing over 2 locations, Washington and McKinley, in order accommodate increased numbers of students.
3. Due to increased numbers of Setting III students in the Discovery program at Lincoln, they are adding this level of support at Wilson school also.
4. Completion of Para Certification: all para educators need to be certified to meet state and federal qualifications. Much time and effort was spent helping our paras complete these requirements.
5. Special Education Leadership Team: developed as an advisory committee for the district with input for general education programming and staff development and IEP development plans.
6. Caseload and workload analysis for our speech language pathologists and social workers to help with staffing decisions and ensure equity and consistency across all schools of the district.
7. Using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to determine strengths and gaps in the system; programming used called Teach to Heal; improving consistency across the district with services and resources.
8. Ongoing growth with our Grow Your Own program for teacher apprenticeships and special education teachers.
9. PAES (Practical Assessment Exploration System) and Work Based Learning: works with high school students in Special Education to guide and teach multiple skills for future work beyond high school, giving opportunities for internships in the community that can result in future employment.
Dr. Knudsen has been busy in her first school year working in OPS, thank you Dr. Knudsen and Rhynda! Please contact them if you have concerns or questions.
The enrollment report is reviewed, and it is noted that Lincoln’s average kindergarten class size is now above the recommended size guideline given by the board. Superintendent Elstad noted that this was due to recent community growth. This reiterates why it was necessary to adjust the elementary attendance boundaries and this change will improve next year’s class sizes.
Our student representatives began board forum with updates from the high school. Our speech team sent 8 students to the state speech meet and preparations are underway for the Big 9 Select performance. A facilities committee meeting update was given, and the remodeling of the C plaza and new district offices is on budget and on time with an expectation to move into the new space this July. Chair Sebring recognized Superintendent Elstad for his award received last Saturday from the Faribault community as they celebrated distinguished alumni. I took the time to comment on the Wilson Elementary Spring Concert that we attended last week. We listened to the children sing about colors, in particular the red red robin that goes bop bop boppin’ along, and the yellow submarine, made complete with enthusiastic children blowing into their kazoos! The program was classic and I loved it. Thank you Mrs. Dant and the student intern that has been working with her! (I may have been biased because I was watching my second grader perform!)
Superintendent Elstad continues to stay involved in legislation regarding education. Students are completing their spring MCA tests in all schools. There is work being done to organize a new safety transportation committee. Please contact SI Elstad if interested.
The policy committee met in March and April and have given board members a list of updated policies to review for a first reading: 618, 620, 621, 624, 630 (renumbered from 621). I noted that policy 616 was reviewed by the committee in March and April, with no particular comments about the policy and it is not on our list for review. Mrs. Weisenburger noted that this policy is still a work in progress and will be brought to the board in the future when revisions are complete.
Of note, the policy referenced above is 616 SCHOOL DISTRICT SYSTEM ACCOUNTABILITY and can be viewed on the district website as with all policies. This policy is particularly interesting to me as statute states the school board is responsible to superintend and manage the schools of the district (MN Statute 123B.09 subd 8) and the board’s authority to govern, manage, and control the district, carry out duties and responsibilities, and conduct the business off the district includes implied powers (MN Statute 123B.02 subd 1). Therefore, final accountability seems to also rest with the board. We need data and information in order to know if our governance, policies, budget, and programs are working to accomplish our goals–which is, ultimately, to help our children grow into adulthood with skills, knowledge, and integrity. This data should come from student assessments, teachers, principals and administration, parents, and community members that will eventually employ our students. More to come on this!
The consent agenda was approved including minutes from past school board meetings on 3/18/2024 and 4/8/2024, the disbursement reports from February and March, and the personnel report.
Several votes were taken and all passed 7 – 0.
- Superintendent Elstad is authorized to act as the Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) for OPS 761. This is required annually by the state and authorizes him to access the State of MN Education secure websites.
- Approval of the contract with a prime vendor that supplies most of our school food and all USDA commodity foods; only one bid was received, from Upper Lakes Foods, and the contract gives the option for up to 4 one-year renewals.
- Approval of a farm lease agreement with FFA. Our director of finance Lori Volz presented the lease agreement for approval, noting that the school owns 40 acres of farmland east of Turtle Creek Nursery. MN Dept of Education has advised that the district lease the land to FFA who would then have an agreement with a farmer. This gives FFA the flexibility to manage the property as they deem fit.
- Approval of the district’s health and dental insurance plans, which is a self-insured plan and should keep the rate increases minimal for employees. There is a 3% increase in rates for health plans and no increase for dental plans.
- Approval of gifts to the district adding up to thousands of dollars donated for our students. Lists of donors can be viewed on the district website, under school board meetings, and agenda review. Thank you to our generous community.
Upward and onward Owatonna! Keep moving forward!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Elizabeth for Owatonna Schools 
Hi Elizabeth,
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div>You made keen observations and wrote an excellent summary, as usual. It was shocking and disappointing to learn 20% of our student body qualifies for special educati
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