5/28/2024 Regular Meeting

Due to Monday May 27th being Memorial Day, our regular meeting was held at the district office on Tuesday May 28th. Freedom is not free, and I am grateful for those soldiers and families that have made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America. I pray that one day we will again be united with gratitude for the sacrifices and our freedoms, and with pride for America. I will continue to say the Pledge of Allegiance, sing the national anthem with my hand on my heart, and teach my children to do the same.

Superintendent Elstad recognized Katie Coudron and Hollie Jeska during Mission Moment. Ms. Coudron was named Owatonna teacher of the year and Ms. Jeska was named southeast Minnesota assistant principal of the year. Thank you for you care and concern and hard work for our students!

No comments for public forum.

The enrollment report is reviewed. No significant changes, again noting that the kindergarten classes at Lincoln Elementary School are above the recommended number of students. Average class size is 22.25 and recommended class size is 19 students. This further reinforces why the attendance boundary lines needed adjustments. Overall, however, class sizes are declining. The numbers of students in each class listed here starts with our 12th grade class and ends with our kindergarten class: 397, 458, 444, 425, 344, 380, 337, 355, 365, 337, 367, 335, 283.

During board forum, all school board members made comments to our senior student representative as this was his last board meeting before graduation. He has been a valuable member of our board with thoughtful comments and questions. We will miss him, but wish him many blessings in his next adventure. In addition to his farewell, we were introduced to our next student representative who will join the board in August. He is currently a sophomore and it was great to meet him at this meeting.

Chair Sebring noted that during the facility committee meeting, there was a discussion about one of the buildings HVAC units that likely needs repair or replacement. He noted that there will be upcoming conversations for this. Vice Chair Weisenburger noted that there were no new updates from the policy or finance committee meetings this month. On May 15, 2024, I had a meeting with Chair Sebring, Vice Chair Weisenburger, and Superintendent Elstad about the previously approved new Library Policy and the reconsideration form that accompanies the policy. I was informed that any noncurricular classroom materials available for students during free reading class time come from the school library. Therefore, these materials are vetted by the librarians and follow the library policy. Classrooms should not have reading materials that are not part of the school’s library or curriculum. If you have concerns about any reading material in the schools, please contact the teacher or principal. I also presented a concern about the reconsideration form given to a parent recently that was not fully approved by the board. Therefore, the policy committee will review and edit this form, then bring it back to the board for review and approval in June.

The board received 3 policies for a first reading review: 709 Student Transportation Safety, 806 Crisis Management, 950 Public Data and Data Subject Requests. Please refer to the district website to reference these policies. There were no questions or discussion regarding these policies.

Superintendent Elstad gave the Administrative Report. He recognized Representative John Petersburg who was present at the meeting, stating that he’s never worked with a representative that’s worked as hard as he has for our community and our students. Representative Petersburg is retiring soon. Thank you for your dedication and work! In addition, Elstad noted that he will be giving a more detailed legislative update next month.

Lori Volz director of finance, and the finance team were also recognized for a recent award, “Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting.” Thank you, Ms. Volz and team, for high quality work on our challenging budget!

Elstad recognized our senior student as well, noting his diligence, thoughtful and conscientious work.

The consent agenda was approved including minutes from the previous 2 meetings, the April disbursement reports, and the personnel report.

Seven additional votes were approved by 7-0 vote:

1. Resolution relating to the termination and non-renewal of the teaching contract of probationary teachers (a separate form indicated the teachers this referred to).
2. New student school board representative (as noted above), previously selected through interviews with high school staff, the superintendent, chair and vice chair.
3. Policy revisions, second reading and approval: 618 Assessment of Student Achievement, 620 Credit for Learning, 621 Literacy and the READ Act, 624 Online Instruction, 630 Awards for Student Achievement
4. Reallocation of Compensatory Revenue for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year. Compensatory revenue is based on the free/reduced lunch student count and is funding to support educational needs of these students. The district is allowed to take 20% of this funding and move it to another school. With this approval, the district can take this funding and hire school counselors so every school in the district will have its own counselor.
5. Compensation and Benefits for Individual Cabinet Employees. The district has 6 employees in its leadership cabinet that are not part of any collective bargaining group. The board recently received the proposed salary and benefits package which was approved at this meeting.
6. Extended trip request for Spanish students to travel to Peru in 2025 through Education First tours. Details are yet to be determined, pending the number of students participating.
7. Gifts to the district, specifically several donations for the OHS Color Run organized by student group Thriving Minds. This group of students is the largest growing student organization at OHS with a goal to raise awareness of suicide and its prevention.

Lastly, our senior student noted the OHS Magnet student publication earned national recognition for the 15th year in a row for its excellence. Thank you Magnet students and Ms. Wagner!

Last day of school is June 5, 2024.

OHS Commencement June 7, 2024 at the new Federated Football Stadium, 7pm. Two empty chairs will be placed, and honorary degrees will be given for the 2024 graduates who passed away in 2021 and 2024. Peace and prayers for those families.

Congratulations 2024 graduates!

Soli Deo Gloria