7/15/2024 Regular Meeting

July 15, 2024 was the only scheduled school board meeting for this month, as per usual for July and December each year. I was able to watch the video recording since I was not able to attend the meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPoNfC_0iII. Ms. Deborah Bandel and Superintendent Elstad were also absent for the meeting.

There were no comments for Public Forum.

During Board Forum, Chair Sebring noted that school board members should have received an evaluation form for the Superintendent, the same form we used last year for the annual evaluation. Results will be discussed at our August 12th board retreat.

Given Superintendent Elstad’s absence, there was no administrative report to review this month.

The consent agenda was approved including the meeting minutes from our regular meeting on 6/24/2024 and the personnel report.

Next, the board reviewed the Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan, which is a 10-year plan reviewed annually and submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education. Lori Volz and Bob Olson were present to review the information and answer any questions. As stated on the meeting’s agenda: Minnesota school districts applying for long-term facilities maintenance revenue must annually complete the application for Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue and submit it to the Minnesota Department of Education.  To qualify for Long-term Maintenance Revenue, school districts must have a 10-year plan adopted by the school board and approved by the commissioner.  The Long-Term Maintenance Revenue Application – Ten-Year Expenditure is attached. (This can be reviewed by going to the district website and searching under Board Meetings, Agenda, and finding the attachment. The plan was approved by 5-0 vote. Lori noted that revenue for LTFM is based on enrollment, square footage of our buildings, and age of the buildings/equipment. Ms. Volz confirmed that, “prior to this time, the district was receiving about $2 million in revenues.” Because of the new high school, our funding will be about $1.8 million going forward.

The second vote was for the “Resolution Relating to $7,770,000 General Obligation Facilities Maintenance and School Building Bonds, Series 2025A.” The notice is copied here: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Independent School District No. 761
(Owatonna Public Schools), Minnesota (the District) intends to issue its General Obligation Facilities Maintenance and School Building Bonds, Series 2025A (the Bonds) in the approximate principal amount of $7,770,000, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 123B.595, subdivision 5 and Chapter 475. A portion of the Bonds (approximately $5,800,000) will finance health and safety projects as described in the District’s ten-year facility plan (the Facility Plan). A portion of the Bonds (approximately $1,970,000) will finance the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, as approved by the electors at a special election held on November 5, 2019. A copy of the Facility Plan will be on file with the District and available for public inspection at the District offices during regular business hours. The total amount of outstanding indebtedness of the District as of July 15, 2024 is $153,730,000. Any interested person may submit written comments relating to the Bonds or the projects to the District. The vote approved 5-0.

The third vote was for the 3-year transportation contract with the Owatonna Bus Company. Lori Volz explained that the contract includes the rates for the 2024-2025 school year, but the following 2 years will be negotiated in January 2025. She also noted that this is the first time the contract has been addressed in this way, but she believes that it will be more beneficial to the district rather than approving a set dollar amount for all 3 years at one time. Vote approved by 5-0 count.

The fourth vote approved 5-0 was for the Resolution Calling the General Election which allows the district to be included in the November election. As stated on the agenda, “The Secretary of State’s office sets very specific timelines for notifying the county auditor’s office, posting notices of elections, and publishing notices.  Attached is a resolution calling for the general election so that the election clerk is able to meet these deadlines.  Terms for these board members will be expiring after December: Deborah Bandel, Timothy Jensen, and Eric Schuster. The filing dates are July 30-August 13, 2024.” The filing fee for school board candidates is $2 and applications and payment can be done through Sarah at the new district office, 333 E. School Street.

The second reading and approval of policies are noted below. The policy committee members noted that the updates were mainly related to language and statutes, no major changes were made. Approved 5-0 for policies:
410 – Family and Medical Leave
416 – Drug, Alcohol and Cannabis Testing
506 – Student Discipline
507 – Corporal Punishment and Prone Restraint
510 – School Activities (review only – no recommended changes)
514 – Bullying Prohibition Policy

Lastly, gifts to the district are approved 5-0. As stated on the agenda, “Policy 706 establishes guidelines for the acceptance of gifts to the District.  As specified by Minnesota Statute 465.03, the School Board may accept a gift, grant, or property only by the adoption of a resolution approved by two-thirds of its members. Any gifts accepted of more than nominal value (more than $5), shall become property of the District (Policy 421).” The gifts are noted in the attachment. Thank you again to the ongoing generosity of the Owatonna community in supporting our students.

Meeting adjourned at 5:46pm! (I wonder if the meetings are shorter when I’m not there… 🙂

School supplies are now readily available in the stores…happy shopping everyone! If you have children in the Owatonna Public School system, watch your email for annual forms and updates for back-to-school preparations before the first day of school! The new district offices should now be open. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. If you need assistance with getting school supplies or school clothes, please check out Community Pathways, United Way, and South Central Human Relations Center.

Be safe. Be kind. Be helpful. Be respectful.

Soli Deo Gloria!