Our regular meeting began per usual at 5:30pm at the Charles S. Crandall Center chambers on the West Hills Campus. As a reminder, regular meetings are recorded and can be found on YouTube, work sessions are not recorded. The public can attend any open work session or regular meeting but can only speak at the public forum at any regular school board meeting. Just be sure to arrive early, fill out the public forum card and give it to Sarah before the start of the meeting at 5:30pm.
Superintendent Elstad recognized Lori Buegler and Sarah Hoffman for Mission Moment. Lori is our communications specialist, and Sarah is the executive assistant to the SI and the school board. They are each an invaluable asset to our district and help to keep things running well. Thank you, Sarah and Lori!
Public forum had one contributor, Francy Hall. I appreciate her desire to come and speak to the board and make her opinion known. She referenced the Owatonna People’s Press recent article regarding a large data request that the district has estimated to cost about $300,000. There was also a recent article published by MPR regarding other large data requests in several districts across MN in recent years. Francy expressed that her primary concern was for “people on the school board that don’t want to teach history.” I had questions for Francy, but we are not allowed to discuss the comments made at public forum. While I have not discussed this specific question with my fellow board members, and I don’t believe that Francy did either, I feel confident in saying that I do not believe any of us want to remove history lessons or classes from our schools. In my opinion, quite the opposite. History lessons are a necessity. We need to learn from the mistakes and the successes of the past and move forward with wisdom and the lessons learned. The People’s Press article about the data request, and the organization that made the data request, are not debating whether or not history should be taught in schools. As I understood the article, the data request was made out of concern for our students learning critical race theory and being taught about “white privilege” in society today. Should racism be taught age appropriately? Yes, it is part of history worldwide. Whether or not any one person believes that white privilege and critical race theory occur in society today is an opinion. We are entitled to have our opinions but are not entitled to teach them in public school. Many parents, myself included, are concerned that children may be taught that they are racist based on that theory, simply because they are white. In my opinion, racism does still exist, but it certainly is a small minority and involves people across all cultures and colors. Moving on…
The enrollment report is reviewed, no major changes and no comments made.
Comments during board forum included a noted change in Coffee and Conversation with the Superintendent. Previously this was scheduled for Friday Nov. 1, and has been changed to Thursday October 31st at 8:30am at the district office, 333 E. School St. Chair Sebring encouraged the board to continue reading The Anxious Generation in preparation for an upcoming discussion. SI Elstad noted that he is working with district staff to plan a book study for parents and community members with this book. I will update with information as I learn more about this! Our school board student reps will be attending a training tomorrow with Chair Sebring and SI Elstad given by MN School Boards Association (MSBA).
School board committee meeting minutes are reviewed. The policy committee is presenting policies tonight for a first reading (213, 516, 521, 532, 535) and policies for a second reading and approval: Their meeting minutes note that the policies being reviewed by the committee but need ongoing discussion include: 522 Title IX, 102 Equal Education, 104 District Philosophy. The facility committee met and discussed ongoing work on the new storage facility and the future sale of the Bridge Street property. The finance committee met recently and received a financial forecast report from director Lori Volz, soon to be presented to the whole board, no details given at this meeting. A recent news story reported through KARE-11 identifies financial struggles in many districts across the state, in part due to new unfunded mandates passed by Governor Walz. https://www.kare11.com/article/news/education/school-districts-minnesota-face-budget-deficits/89-a2bad38e-872a-4c2c-bcf4-a8615afaa773?fbclid=IwY2xjawGKm2RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYsvdRUL7DI2kGXcuHFUIc_pvOjUxcFxqfl140AlrSDZGvE2cJogFNwRcA_aem_rZAHM2hHb7bXe-I7ROQmPg
SI Elstad gave a summary Administrative Report focusing on upcoming legislative platforms, specifically working toward equalization of funding for all districts in MN. He is preparing for our school board data retreat on November 7, 2024. Vice chair Lori Weisenburger mentioned a previous concern about student attendance at OHS since the pandemic. In the absence of principal Kath, SI Elstad noted that this is a work in progress. Attendance issues are improving, despite the lack of state assistance and truancy court that was available before the pandemic.
The consent agenda was approved including previous meeting minutes, the disbursement report, and the personnel report.
Four separate votes were taken, all approved 7-0:
- Policy revisions, second reading and approval: 503 Student Attendance, 512 School Sponsored Student Media and Activities, 515 Protection and Privacy of School Records
- Bridge street property sale: review and approval of a request for commercial realtors to assist the district in selling the building at 515 West Bridge Street. This request can be viewed on the district website under school board meetings, agenda.
- Extended trip request: OHS choir director is taking choir members on a tour in the Twin Cities to work and sing with other choirs, requesting approval due to missing 1 day of school in January 2025.
- Gifts to the district, specifically noted gifts in memorial of teacher and community member Wayne Hermanson who passed away recently.
As a history reminder to us all, the United States of America was founded on Christian principles. God is referenced in our Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and on all of our currency – In God We Trust. Please vote!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Elizabeth for Owatonna Schools 
Did you watch the KARE 11 segment? It does not mention “unfunded mandates passed by Governor Walz” at all. (And a governor doesn’t “pass” anything! Here’a quick lesson in basic government – It’s the governor’s job to sign bills that are passed by the legislators).
I appreciate your dedication to sharing information about the school board meetings, however, right wing talking points are getting the better of you. Governor Walz is not the enemy. It would be great if you could practice some of the listening to understand that you preached about a few blog posts ago.
If you want to get hysterical or delve into management issues, the hand sanitizer in the school lunch lines is often empty. Students don’t have time/permission to wash their hands before lunch, and can’t even sanitize while they are in line. Please work for board reports on sanitizer usage, and refill frequencies. PUBLIC TRANSPARENCEY!!
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Hi Myra,
Thank you for your feedback. I’m not hysterical or trying to control management issues. Whether Walz or legislators sign or pass bills was not the point. My concern, as also noted by our superintendent at past meetings, is that there are many unfunded mandates recently passed contributing to budget deficits for many schools. The district budget is incredibly complicated. I actually didn’t appreciate that the news report focused on teacher salaries. While this is one reason, there are several reasons for budget deficits, and unfunded mandates are a major contributor.
I’m not sure what you mean by “it would be great if you would practicing some of the listening to understand.” Please do not use this site to speak demeaning and condescending statements. I’m happy to discuss further if you’d like, email me directly anytime.
Please contact the school about your hand sanitizer concern or speak at public forum at the next regular school board meeting.
Take care.
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