December 2025

As a reminder, our last school board meeting of the year is scheduled for Monday December 8, 2025 at 5:30pm in the city chambers board room. Also, the Truth in Taxation presentation will be given at 6pm during the meeting.

Recently, our superintendent Dr. Champa sent out information to all OPS families about “Moving Forward Together.” This is a community engagement series of meetings for any community member to attend, giving the opportunity to learn about the district budget and finances, the School Perceptions survey results, and priorities and plans for moving forward. A great opportunity! Information can be found on the district website: https://www.isd761.org/our-district/news/movingforward

Over the last several years, there have been many changes in the state’s standards and required teaching set forth by the Minnesota Department of Education. Combined with Minnesota statutes and the Minnesota Human Rights Act, there are now conversations in schools, curriculum changes, and topics addressed that parents didn’t have to consider in past years. Ethnic studies have been and will be incorporated into all classes, including culturally relevant teaching, and may or may not include discussions about critical race theory, white privilege, racial disparities, and institutional racism (policy 110). Health standards are currently undergoing changes at the state level and are soon to be approved. The second draft of standards included children learning about genitalia in kindergarten, and third graders learning about gender variations and choice of gender/pronouns. This is a belief system that many parents do not agree with, and while some teachers may not agree either, they may be required to teach to these standards, or don’t teach at all. Another recent statute states that school staff are not required to share personal information about students with the child’s parents if they feel that it is in the student’s best interest to not share with the parents. Schools are meant to partner with parents, not make decisions for parents on what is best for their children. Therefore, after reviewing several different forms, I have created a generic “Opt Out Form” that can be used by any parent or guardian. This form does not belong to Owatonna Public Schools but can be utilized. In the future, the school board and district may choose to adopt its own opt out form.

Two options as I’m not sure which one will be the best way to download the form!

https://elizabethforowatonnaschools.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/eh-opt-out-form-1.docx

The regular meeting blogpost will be coming later this week, after the meeting on Monday!

Merry Christmas and blessings are prayed for you today. Soli Deo Gloria!