Our meeting began at 5:30pm with a Special Session in order to approve the personnel report. With summer approaching, there are several position changes that needed to be approved.

Immediately following the quick Special Session, the work session began. OMS principal, Mrs. Mattson, presented an update regarding our middle school. First, some interesting statistics: 987 students, 23% are receiving special services (IEP or 504 plan), and 7.3% receive English Learning services. The school has approximately 113 staff including 66 full time teachers, 34 support staff, the remaining staff consists of counselors, social workers, and administration. She reported on highlights of the year including building trust, growth in academics and social/behavior skills, and the school’s Best Buddies and Unified PE programs that have been successful. They continue to work on reading interventions, READ Act training, and improving school climate and culture (including de-escalation and restorative practices). Upcoming changes include the SOAR program so that it is focused on academics for everyone instead of for only those students that need catch up time or help with schoolwork. They are looking to find root causes of absenteeism and finding ways to increase parent involvement.

Mrs. Mattson further discussed her research on the importance of creative play for students. While teaching in Norway, she experienced and observed, with her students, the benefits of creative play. All Norway students through 8th grade have one hour of mandatory play outdoors every day, dressing appropriately for any type of weather condition. She commented that our children today are often tied to screens (phones, video games, social media) and are attending many scheduled activities and sports. This leaves little time for creative play which is having a negative impact on behaviors and learning. There may be more time for creative play in the students’ future!

Next on the agenda was the review of the 3-year governance work plan, focusing on finishing up the 2023-2024 school year. No significant changes were made, but in reviewing the section on district policy, I asked the board to consider how we determine policy effectiveness. We receive the World’s Best Workforce presentation every November by our director of teaching and learning, but we have several other policies not related directly to academics (discipline, attendance, dress codes, electronic use, etc.) Superintendent Elstad noted that he is working with our data specialist, Ken Griswold, to form a composite data sheet with several different measures. This could possibly be included on the agenda of our summer board retreat, but Elstad noted that we’d have more accurate and updated data once the next school year begins (after 10/1 2024). No significant changes were made to the governance plan and the plan can be viewed as an attachment to the agenda on the district website under “school board meetings.”

Superintendent Elstad gave the quarterly action items update. He notes that the cybersecurity system is now in place and they continue to work on the family reunification plan should students have to be evacuated from any school building. The elementary school boundaries project is completed and the elementary schools recently had open house events to welcome students that are changing schools this fall. Ongoing work is being done for the Grow Your Own teacher programs.

Board forum began with an update from our student rep, noting that the Thriving Minds sponsored suicide prevention fundraiser in memorial of Dylan Lauwers will occur on 5/19/2024: https://www.southernminn.com/owatonna_peoples_press/community/owatonna-thriving-minds-organizes-dylan-lauwers-memorial-walk/article_44f8ead8-0eff-11ef-a155-5fce7b3d3a90.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1JNqFO30btJeM195Q_2nqxAc0P3Xf3bAgvmuDi-BySK3LMcKoVdOG4JoE_aem_AZOml54Gd2u0Mc_rhOWgXMF-IsguB7VSYD39UzcPzx60K2fJYavvBfPQN5mEkkN9toHcrxyMfnK66AmKUySgVAoH

Superintendent Elstad gave a brief legislative update noting that there may be a small amount of funding in upcoming legislation to assist in providing for the READ Act requirements. There is consideration for a civics requirement change and for a policy limiting cell phones for students (data is accumulating showing the significant negative impact on students’ overall health and wellness with increased cell phone use.) To assist with long term facilities maintenance, the district hired SiteLogIQ to evaluate and give guidelines for our buildings’ maintenance and overall upkeep. Lastly, he notes that they have been looking at research regarding a 4-day school week. He states that because of the high stress workloads that students endure, there are noted benefits, and some districts have already made this change. My thoughts…consider keeping the 5-day school week but include one hour of time for creativity or mandatory play outside as they do in Norway… or consider limiting students’ activities/sports involvement. Some of our students are participating in 5++ extracurricular activities. I’d love to see more time and space for schoolwork and learning, more time for creativity, less screen/phone time, with participation in SOME sports and activities.

A plan is in motion to schedule an August board retreat and also a fall retreat to review the data composite sheet noted above.

Coffee with the Superintendent is open to the public on Friday 5/17/2024 at 8:30am in the district office on Bridge Street.

Next board meeting is TUESDAY MAY 28, 2024 at the district office on Bridge Street.

This is a big topic with layers upon layers of information and understanding. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is everywhere if not in every single school across the country in some way, shape or form. So, what is it and why do some people have concerns?

The concept of SEL started influencing schools in the mid 1990s. In essence, SEL is a skill development program that helps students regulate their emotions, develop and sustain healthy relationships, and make decisions that will benefit them and the community that we all live and work and play in. The Minnesota Department of Education states that SEL is “a central strategy for bullying prevention and school climate improvement.” (https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/safe/social/ ) Given this information alone, most everyone would agree that this is a good thing for our students and their overall development.

Then we start pulling back the layers of what SEL may include, where it’s leading, and what the future could possibly hold. I suspect that many school staff and teachers and parents do not know what could be embedded in these layers because on the surface, SEL sounds positive. It’s my understanding that SEL concepts are incorporated into teachers’ professional development and school’s curriculum; therefore, it’s incorporated into many aspects of a student’s education each day. Owatonna Public Schools has its SEL programs including PBIS, MTSS, and Caring School Community (https://sites.google.com/isd761.org/k-5-curriculum-and-instruction/social-emotional-learning). The Caring School Community program is based on the CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) framework (https://casel.org/). It is worth noting that CASEL is funded, in part, by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Fetzer Institute, and the Zuckerberg Institute.

So, what is the concern with SEL? A few of the prominent concepts of CASEL’s SEL is awareness of self and others, and self-management. More defined, this is mindfulness. I teach my children about being mindful in that they should be aware of their surroundings and be respectful of others near them. However, mindfulness can include meditative practice which is based off Hindu or Buddhist beliefs, or New Age concepts and practices. For example, many schools have incorporated yoga into classes (including Owatonna), which is a religious meditative practice. Thus, one can see how the basic idea of self-awareness and emotional regulation can easily take a turn toward something that some parents do not want for their children. How and where do we draw the line in public school?

There is concern that word and concept definitions we learned in the past are now being redefined. This allows for surface level understanding of SEL which is positive, but a deeper dive reveals phrasing and practices many are not aware of. There is evidence that SEL is based on Critical Theory. “Critical theory, a Marxist-inspired movement in social and political philosophy originally associated with the work of the Frankfurt School” (https://www.britannica.com/topic/critical-theory). Most of us have heard of one aspect of Critical Theory called Critical Race Theory (CRT), but it also includes Critical Gender Theory. James Lindsay is known as a CRT expert, and he explains his concerns here in a 14-minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy_1CPDimfI. The Child Protection League explains what is MTSS and SEL, including how and why this is based on Marxism: https://cplaction.com/sel/. Therefore, the concern is that while the words to describe SEL sound positive, the underlying messages children learn may focus too much on New Age concepts, Eastern religious practices, divisive teachings that put too much focus on differences of gender, race, and religion, and even lean toward a Marxist way of thinking. As I’ve noted before, schools should be a safe neutral place for all who are working and learning there, and these concepts may only be making it worse.

Because the US Federal Government and the State of Minnesota regulate public school education, there are many statutes that our schools must follow. Our school district policies are based on these statutes. Many government funding sources (including grants) are tied to programs related to academic requirements, SEL, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). Therefore, we have to be careful so that we follow the law, while also recognize that the district may lose funding if we decide to give up a program.

Ultimately, we need to decide how much public schools can and should do beyond the academic learning and structure. Most would agree that when a child is emotionally dysregulated, they are not going to learn well or behave well. This is true for any of us, no matter the stress (family, work, illness, learning disability, etc). SEL could be equated to a form of therapy, and I hope we can agree that we all do not need therapy every day. (Sometimes a good distraction from a problem is a needed break!) Furthermore, do we need to treat all children as if they are dysregulated every day? Many parents believe that social emotional learning should be first taught at home, but then to also work together with teachers and school staff as needed.

On another level, we are now seeing the incorporation of “community schools” in some cities. These neighborhood schools are offering more and more services to children including nutrition, health, dental, counseling, and others (https://www.nea.org/student-success/great-public-schools/community-schools?utm_medium=paid-search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=community-schools&utm_content=&ms=ads-community-schools-se&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3NyxBhBmEiwAyofDYZeksY15VLYjR9Ms0nu0z3oXyM4Uf-ww91PoOIwCKAZEyF1cQu3evxoCkt0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds ). However, some are concerned that this concept is giving too much authority to the government and thereby taking it away from parents (https://frontline.news/post/white-house-funding-community-schools-that-aim-to-replace-parents?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2BsQP1C8aX0juHXH3NNczTCdPZhJgb9tp9LrQ-NKDLHB7Il_R2J6YAJ-Y_aem_ASb98zJ9D6zrN5ZHVT2qrT2IV_z8JL36uNILl4UqauD9j8EOaj4cHwjE6fNVDhD4iA5f3Sx1QbcoWdWC7QYp8dzd ).

Anyone working in a school would likely agree that schools should help children and families when they can by providing outside resources for public health, social services, financial assistance, housing, etc. However, should the public schools be providing these services within the boundary of the school and with its own funding? There are only so many hours and dollars for a school day; we need to remind ourselves and ask, “What is the goal of public education?” If, in fact, most of our students are struggling with emotional dysregulation, behavior issues, learning problems, respect for self and others, etc., then we as a society have work to do (and this is not the school’s job.) We need to get to the root of the problem so that our children can go to school and learn academics and skills they need to be “college and career ready,” functioning as responsible adults. I have my own theories about why our children are struggling and why our special needs numbers are rising, but that’s for another time.

Parents Defending Education (https://defendinged.org/about/) is an organization that is working to “reclaim schools” and believes, “Our classrooms should include rigorous instruction in history, civics, literature, math, the sciences, and the ideas and values that enrich our country,” rather than, “impose ideologically driven curriculum with a concerning and often divisive emphasis on students’ group identities: race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and gender.” A local organization, Minnesota Parents Alliance is working to assist parents in engaging their local schools with a goal “to effectively and efficiently channel the momentum of the parent movement into positive and lasting changes for education in Minnesota.” (https://minnesotaparents.org/about/)

Parents are given the natural authority to care for, teach, and raise their children in the ways and values they desire. Public schools are given the responsibility to help parents teach their students. Schools should not have the sole responsibility for raising our children. As I have stated before, I believe that we have dedicated hard working teachers in our schools. I believe that we have administration that truly want what is best for our children. However, we all have to be aware of the slippery slopes around and within our communities. Social Emotional Learning has been interwoven into our schools. We must have an awareness and always be able to ask questions. We must learn and remember from world history so that we do not make the same mistakes over again (https://lettertotheamericanchurch.com/).

Soli Deo Gloria.

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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!

Hello all. Just wanted to share this article about an acquaintance of mine from the Anoka-Hennepin school district– which I believe may be the biggest school district in Minnesota. The changes he desires to make in the school district and the response from the district is typical among many districts, including Owatonna’s school district.

From The American Experiment:

https://www.americanexperiment.org/school-board-member-throws-down-the-gauntlet-in-anoka-hennepin/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2leO7oPT3EuzzIaClU3bE_36e9IyErNQOh7AyB1XuOGjHabtSiih6Xo5I_aem_Adn7A4J_BWl251ooyyGPFifSr-t6jHItvOP-7kvof9oe8tcUaQRcQSnW7R5-XTBeMVkGXNwTBidwKHyzf2viNj64

Working within the law is key and necessary (goes without saying), while yet making independent decisions for our children and families to best that we can is of utmost importance. If we are truly independent school districts, we should have some capability and flexibility to do what’s best for our children and yet remain in the bounds of state law.

Thank you Matt, for your tenacity and leadership.

Our April work session began on time at 5:30pm at the Chamber Board Room. After the call to order and Pledge of Allegiance, Ann Mikkalson started the work session with an update for the Owatonna Online Program. The online program is attracting a lot of attention from cities all across Minnesota due to its full-service programming that includes special education and social work services. The program offers flexibility for families, excellent access to teachers, and high standards for education.

Ms. Mikkalson reviewed several areas of focus for our K-12 online students, plus the work that teachers are doing through Professional Learning Communities that help with collaboration and maintaining consistency. Owatonna is working closely with other school districts to help guarantee successful partnerships.

Superintendent Elstad noted his gratitude for all the great work that Ms. Mikkalson has done with the online program, and that she is moving on at the end of the school year to take a position as a principal in a small southern MN school district. Congratulations and best wishes Ms. Mikkalson!

Kris Busse, the city administrator, presented the annual report for the 2023 year as given by the Owatonna Partners for Economic Development (OPED) https://owatonnadevelopment.com/ . OPED promotes development, unity, and collaboration for existing and new Owatonna businesses, housing, industry, project development, and helping students connect with local businesses for internships, job shadowing, work experiences and as future employees. Superintendent Elstad meets weekly with the OPED civic leaders.

The Owatonna Area Business Development Center presentation by Sean Williams will be rescheduled for a future meeting.

Board forum began with our student rep noting the Speech team sections meet this week Thursday. The Robotics team has partnered with the local Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Our schools have begun MCA testing. Chair Sebring commended the OMS Orchestra and their conductor for their recent service providing orchestra music in several senior centers in the area. A great experience for our students and local senior citizens to be able to enjoy one another’s company and contribute to Owatonna’s safe and caring community.

Superintendent Elstad gave several updates. He continues to closely monitor and stay up to date with MN legislation as it affects education. There are two more upcoming administration changes including Ann Mikkalson as noted above. Another principal will be resigning at the end of the school year. While Mr. Elstad noted the name, I believe a formal announcement will be made in the future and the personnel report will be approved by the school board. He also notes the ongoing work with the elementary school boundary changes and has been working with families and discussing their questions. Overall, it appears that the community feels that the changes have been well communicated, allowing for adequate time and input to consider the many factors that needed to be included in the process. Mr. Elstad is preparing to put together some data of the district which will entail student assessment scores among other things, hoping to have this information for the school board August retreat. I would like to see the data that will tell us if our district policies are effective, which should ultimately prepare our students for adulthood including college or entering the workforce (data such as academic assessments, attendance rates, graduation rates, disciplinary issues, etc.) The school district will be an upcoming campaign leader for the United Way of Steele County which helps raise funding for various programs in the community https://www.unitedwaysteelecounty.org/. In the last few weeks, interviews were completed for the next student represenative to join the school board as a nonvoting member. The board usually has one junior student and one senior student. The position has been offered and accepted to a current sophomore and the board will meet him in May when we also say goodbye to our current senior student!

Just before the next board meeting on April 22, 2024, at 5pm, we will be opening the time capsule that was found in the bricks of the 1921 building. Finding the capsule was a surprise and therefore no one knows what, if anything, is still there. This event is open to the public so please feel free to join us at the Chamber Office board room at 5pm on 4/22/2024!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Our regular school board meeting began at 5:30 in the City Chamber board room as per usual. The board Chair, Mr. Sebring, added to the agenda under heading X. Items with board action requested; E. Achievement and Integration Grant due by 4/1/2024. Gifts to the district was retitled as F. The agenda was then approved.

Superintendent Elstad moved on to Mission Moment, recognizing Sean Hughes and Jeff Williams. Mr. Hughes is the district’s facility use specialist and OMS activity coordinator and works hard to keep things running and functioning and organized. Coach Williams is recognized as a favorite teacher at OHS and also congratulated for his entry into the MN Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, having 207 game victories and the most wins in coaching history. Thank you Mr. Hughes and Coach Williams for your dedication and hard work.

No comments for Public Forum.

Lori Volz, our Director of Finance and Operations, along with the district’s controller, Sarah Cramblit, presented the amended budget for 2023-2024. The budget can be reviewed through the attachment on the agenda: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/1055?meeting=625296. The amended budget is based on actual numbers of employees hired vs. estimated numbers from the previous budget, plus the final settlements with bargaining units. The amended budget also includes increased enrollment numbers, interest earnings, increased special education funding, unemployment and utility costs, among many other adjustments. The finance team worked hard to find the maximum amount of grant money and funding streams possible. Lori Volz commented that this year’s budget was the most complex that she’s ever had to work with. The bottom line, according to Ms. Volz, is that the budget is sitting in a good place and the unassigned fund balance remains at 12.4%. The recommended unassigned fund balance is 8-10% and anything higher than that is better. While many districts in Minnesota are struggling, OPS is doing well, in part, because we were careful with the additional COVID funding received over the last few years. Therefore, as this funding now goes away, we do not have budget cuts.

No major changes or discussion regarding the Enrollment Report.

A brief note by board members during Board Forum to report that both the facility and finance committees met last week, and the policy committee will meet this week. Since I wasn’t able to attend the finance committee meeting, I met personally with Lori Volz and Sarah Cramblit to review the amended budget at a separate time.

Superintendent Elstad gave the Administrative Report. He noted that they will soon be creating a transportation safety committee with about 10-12 members. Governor Walz will be giving the State of the State address at the Owatonna High School Wenger Performing Arts Auditorium on March 26, 2024. This will only be the 12th time in Minnesota history that the address has been given outside of the state capitol. Timothy Massawe will be attending our work session in April as a thank you for the donations to Tanzania. For a legislative update, Mr. Elstad noted that the SRO bill was signed and gives more clarity for all school officers so they can do the work needed and keep the schools safer. Lastly, Mr. Elstad announced that the district has hired 2 new principals. As of July 1, 2024, Justin Lang will be the Lincoln School principal and Martina Wagner will be the principal of the ALC.

The consent agenda was approved including previous school board meeting minutes and the personnel report.

Finally, the board voted and approved 6 items:

1. 2023-2024 Amended Budget as presented earlier in the meeting.
2. Resolution relating to the termination and non-renewal of the teaching contract of probationary teachers. The letter is an annual review, plus a review of attachment A given at the meeting, which lists the staff/teachers affected this year. My additional commentary: I find it interesting that this letter states that the school board resolves to terminate the employment contract and that the receiver may request from the school board reasons for non-renewal of the contract. However, I am given only names of those staff whose contracts are terminated on the night of this meeting with no discussion or explanation for why we are approving termination. Management or governance? Seems more of a management decision to me… but it’s statute, so that’s the way it is. I’m sorry if I voted yes on this and hurt anyone in the process simply because I do not know anything about these terminations and I have no explanation for why they occurred. I’m often reminded that school boards are for governance… well, except when the state statutes tell us we have to manage.
3. Attendance boundaries model 2C-AB-2-1 including implementation for the 2024-2025 school year, with the following 3 exceptions: Setting III Special Education, Families In Transition (homelessness), and incoming fifth graders that do not have younger siblings.
4. 2025-2026 School Year Calendar, noting that Homecoming for the fall 2025 has not been scheduled yet as the football schedule has not been determined.
5. Achievement and Integration Grant which covers the Rising Scholars program, REACH program, Success Coaches, and oversight administration, with no significant changes.
6. Gifts to the district including a variety of funding for music, sports, school trips and school events. Thank you Owatonna community for your ongoing generosity for our kids!

Students spring break begins March 22, 2024 and ends March 31, 2024.

Coffee and Conversation with the Superintendent April 5, 2024, 8:30-9:30am, at the district office on Bridge Street. Anyone can attend!

Good Friday March 29,2024 and Resurrection Sunday March 31, 2024, Jesus Is Alive!

Take care friends. Soli Deo Gloria.

Monday’s meeting began with a Special Session in order to complete 2 votes, both of which were approved 6-0. The first was the approval of the 2023-2025 salary and benefits agreement with the Owatonna Principals’ Association and for the Chair and Clerk to execute the agreement on behalf of the school board. The second was the approval of the 2023-2025 salary and benefits agreement with Owatonna Nutrition Services staff and for the Chair and Clerk to execute the agreement on behalf of the school board. Meeting adjourned.

Immediately following the Special Session, we proceeded to the work session agenda. The first item was a presentation by Washington Elementary School’s principal Libby Zeman and a few of the staff at the school including a kindergarten teacher, the teaching and learning coach, the speech pathologist, and the new math interventionist. The school is working on “Celebrating All” through team engagement, literacy and math developments, the Best Buddies program, and ensuring students feel valued. Our K-2 teachers are working through Functional Phonics, and the school has the addition of a Reading Corp Tutor volunteer that has been working with 37 students one-on-one (17 of whom have exited the program). The math interventionist is doing small group work with students which is helping them grow, learn, and enjoy math work. The Best Buddies program pairs students with students that are in the STRIDE program (student with disabilities.) They meet monthly for activities and can continue the relationship into middle school and high school if desired. Staff have used survey data to encourage student engagement and a feeling of being valued at school. This includes reinforcing listening skills and showing kindness, buddy activities, celebrations, class projects and dress up days (as determined by the student council.)

Superintendent Elstad reiterated the recent steps taken to ensure the best decision possible for the changes in elementary attendance school boundary lines. The input team has met twice and the design team is drawing up conclusions. The board will be given the final presentation in one week at the Regular Meeting 3/18/2024.

Lots of information shared during Board Forum. Our student reps discussed Speech Team meets, with Owatonna recently earning first place at our home meet, with 2 upcoming meets this week. Robotics is traveling to Iowa for competition, and there will soon be an interview for the Rotary sponsored leadership camp. Our students are looking forward to spring break beginning March 22 through March 31! Also discussed was the recent visit by educators from Japan who toured our schools with Dr. Meagher. They are especially interested in our STEM and STEAM programs–WOW–from Japan to Owatonna, Minnesota!

The Facilities committee met and continue to report construction is “on budget and on time” for the new district office remodel project at the old C plaza. The demolition crew is working to recycle whatever materials they can from the old buildings, and there is some preparation for the possible sale of the current district buildings on Bridge Street and Rose Street. The Owatonna Education Center is making final preparations to house the WeePals daycare beginning in April and likely ending in November.

Superintendent Elstad gave a legislative update briefly discussing the SRO amendment which has passed through the House and is currently pending the Senate vote. There is also discussion of the READ Act 2.0 which may allow for some funding for the programs required. Soon, there will be announcements introducing our new ALC principal and our new Lincoln School principal, both to begin employment this summer (I believe).

Lastly, we viewed a short video showing the completion of a project that Mr. Elstad states began about 2 years ago. The video revealed the packing and loading and delivering of some tables and chairs from the old Owatonna high school to schools in Tanzania. So very heartwarming to see these children in Tanzania, all in uniform, sitting in the chairs from OHS!

Reminder: the next school board meeting is in ONE week, 3/18/2024, due to upcoming spring break March 22-31, 2024.

Enjoy Spring!

The regular school board meeting began at 5:30pm with all members present. Superintendent Elstad recognized Owatonna students during Mission Moment. Two students are recognized as ExCEL Award nominees and two students are recognized as Triple A Award nominees. Great work students!

No one presented for Public Forum.

The enrollment report was reviewed with no significant changes or comments.

Members presented during Board Forum noting opening weekend of our high school’s musical Newsies, and great performances that entertained many in our new Wenger Performing Arts Auditorium. Committee meeting minutes were reviewed from the most recent meetings of the Facility and Policy committees with no comments or questions. Our student representatives noted recent events including speech team tournaments.

Superintendent Elstad gave the Administrative Report, mentioning the second Input Team meeting on 2/20/2024 for the K-5 attendance boundary changes and the upcoming special work session for the school board to review and discuss these plans: 4:30-6pm at the district office on 3/5/2024. Mr. Elstad is also working with the legislation to try and lessen the tax burden for Owatonna citizens. He will testify soon. Plus, there is work in progress for an amendment to the School Resource Officer legislation passed last year. He will spend time in St. Paul next week for “Day at the Capitol.” Mrs. Julie Sullivan gave a brief update on the American Indian Education plan. We have 10 students in our district with Native American heritage and after reaching out to those families, one parent came forward to work with the district. They are working to schedule a meeting soon. There is no state funding if a district has less than 20 Native American students.

The Consent Agenda was approved with a 7-0 vote and included the meeting minutes from 1/22/2024 and 2/12/2024, the disbursement reports, and the personnel report.

Two policies were reviewed. There is a link to each policy on the meeting agenda: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/1055?meeting=620607. The graduation requirements changed slightly due to 2023 legislation and our policy #613 was updated to reflect those changes. The new Library Policy #606.5 was presented for a second reading and vote. My concerns with the policy as it is currently written is that it’s too generalized and vague, there is not enough accountability, and the school board is not involved in any of the processes of material selection or material reconsideration/appeals. Please understand that it is not my intention to “ban books” or to limit anyone’s access to books, but rather to provide guidelines for book and material selection for public school (emphasis on public school, my opinion in this regard is not for any other public entity including the city library or bookstores.)

Our Electronic Technologies Acceptable Use policy, #524, has more specific well-defined guidelines for what our students are not allowed to access:

V. UNACCEPTABLE USES… A. …the following uses of the District’s Electronic Technologies and Internet resources or accounts are considered to be unacceptable:

1. Users will not use the School District system to access, review, upload,
   download, store, print, post, receive, transmit or distribute:
   a. pornographic, obscene or sexually explicit material or other visual
   depictions that are harmful to minors;
   b. obscene, abusive, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory,
   threatening, disrespectful, or sexually explicit language;
   c. materials that use language or images that are inappropriate in the
   education setting or disruptive to the educational process;
   d. information or materials that could cause damage or danger of disruption to the educational process e. materials that use language or images that advocate illegal or dangerous acts or that advocate violence or discrimination toward other people (hate literature) or that may constitute harassment or discrimination.

VI. FILTER… …A. The technology protection measures utilized will block or filter Internet access to any visual depictions that are:

1. Obscene in nature;
2. Contain child pornography;
3. Violent; or
4. Harmful to minors.

B. The term “harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic image file, or
other visual depiction that

1. Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in
   nudity, sex, or excretion; or
2. Depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to
   what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact,
   actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the
   genitals; and
3. Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as
   to minors.

I asked to include some of this language into the library policy and possibly also the instructional materials (curriculum) policy. This request was denied on the basis of the school board’s role being governance, not management. (However, I would further argue that policy is to give guidelines and regulations so that the district can apply and manage by those guidelines and regulations.)

In the most recent revision of this policy, the policy committee decided to remove the phrase, “with recognition that the school board has the final authority on selection of library materials.” Therefore, the school board will have no direct action into any of the processes involving library materials. I still believe that this lacks accountability, both on the part of the board who is liable for the activities of the district (we will have no idea if there are any problems, questions, or concerns with library materials), and the selection of materials is left solely to the librarians and district media specialist. While these staff have training in education and access to resources that aid them in choosing appropriate materials, the policy is so vague that it leaves much to personal opinion and choice on behalf of the staff. If a parent chooses to pursue a formal reconsideration request of any library material, “The Superintendent or the superintendent’s designee shall appoint a Library Materials Reconsideration Committee per request.” Again, the superintendent is appointing the committee and only per request. The committee does not include any school board members and yet it does include the district media specialist who was likely already consulted in the initial informal request and this is why the request has moved to an appeal/formal process. The reason given for not including school board members in any of this policy’s processes was that there are several others involved, ultimately the superintendent, who reports to the school board. At this point, I’m not sure how the board will know if this, or any policy for that matter, is effective and working the way it is intended to.

As I stated in Monday’s meeting, I believe that we all desire to protect and keep our students safe in school and beyond. When I was asked who I was trying to protect, at first I was confused why this was asked, and I answered, “Children.” Maybe I am still misunderstood. Each child does have a different story, some stories are very difficult or hurtful. My desire is to protect, especially considering the child who is struggling with depression anxiety, then they read about a hanging suicide, and are now considering this themselves. Or the child who is hurting, reads about drug use, and now seeks to find their own escape. Or the child who lives in a conservative home (of Muslim or Christian faith) and they are questioning who God/Allah made them to be, then they read about LGBTQ lifestyles and now are even more confused and question who to trust. One developmental aspect that makes teenagers higher risk is their greater tendency to be impulsive. Also, the fact that our human brains are not fully developed (reasoning and executive functions) until we are in our mid-twenties has to remind us that children’s brains and cognitive development needs to be protected and guarded, and those same children should not have that responsibility upon themselves. As adults, this is our responsibility.

For all of these reasons, I could not approve this policy as it is currently written and thus voted no in a 6-1 vote for policy 606.5. You can find the 9-minute discussion in the video, go to minute 17:45 if desired: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gmu27RP9vmY&list=PL7udvyWfNrd3ROTWcu7VO0Vt0NPX_ae51&index=6

Other votes during Monday’s meeting included the approval of an amended 2024-2025 school calendar to allow for The READ Act teacher training, the purchase of district land near the highway, the Ratification of the 2023-2025 Tentative Agreement with Special Education Paraprofessionals, the extended trip request for French classes to travel to Quebec City and Montreal, and gifts to the district.

Meeting adjourned.

Additionally, I’ve had many conversations over the past few weeks with parents, grandparents, staff, teachers, and principals. I appreciate all of these conversations as we work together to make Owatonna the best school district in Minnesota! Thank you!

Soli Deo Gloria.

Monday’s meeting began at 5:30pm with a Special School Board Meeting for the approval of the 2023-2025 agreement with the Owatonna Education Association, which also authorizes the board chair and clerk to execute the agreement on behalf of the school board.

Immediately following the Special Meeting, the work session began and it’s full of information! First came a report from McKinley Elementary School staff. Mr. Kiel, the principal, introduced several members from the staff who presented information about what’s happening at McKinley this year. The theme for the year is “belonging” which incorporates listening sessions that allow students to talk and express their voice. They are working for increased family engagement with various activities. There is also ongoing work in “supporting the whole child” and “high quality learning.” Efforts include morning meetings, a tiered support system, a collaboration team, and McKinley Strong celebrations. Teachers are working on purposeful planning, co-teaching, PLC Reboot and adult learners. This is just a brief summary of many good things happening at McKinley. 

The second report was from our Early Childhood program, supervisor Maggie Goldade, a Bright Beginnings teacher, and a Little Learners teacher, presented updates. All of our early childhood teachers are licensed either for general education and/or special education. All of the “Covid Babies” that were born and started life in quarantine are now 3-4 years old and these teachers have seen the challenges of this. This year our program is at full capacity and we’ve had a waiting list. They have worked to increase access to preschool by improving transportation opportunities using both the Owatonna Bus Company and Smart Transit. They are able to do Fastbridge assessments with these young ones, and have a goal of 80% proficiency in math and literacy concepts. At the end of the 2022-23 school year, math was 86% and literacy was 76%. They have also been working with Social Emotional Learning, one program called Conscious Discipline has been very effective.

Julie Sullivan and Ann Mikkelson presented an update on the very complicated READ Act (Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act). This replaces the World’s Best Workforce measure which was for all students to be reading at grade level by third grade. Essentially, the READ Act’s goal is to ensure all students are reading at grade level every year. With an understanding that reading is not natural and has to be taught, the end goal is reading comprehension–being able to read and understand what is being read. Three components of the READ Act include having a screening tool (Fastbridge assessments), professional development (which Ann describes as the power of the READ Act), and the literacy curricula. Due to the extensive training needed for our teachers that has to be completed before July 1, 2025, the academic calendar has been modified to allow for this training, and will be brought to the board for approval. Ms. Sullivan noted that our teachers have had a lot to manage with employing new science standards, upcoming social studies changes, and now this training. (It was overwhelming just listening to the details of all this!)

Superintendent Elstad gave a quarterly update on some of the projects he is working on. This includes the cybersecurity work for ongoing protection and safety in the district. Also in progress is the family reunification plan and training for staff should any building need to be evacuated.  The elementary school boundaries development plan is in process with the next Input Team meeting at OMS on 2/20/2024. The TeamWorks leader helping with this has asked to meet with the board and an upcoming meeting is scheduled. Mr. Elstad notes that he’s had positive feedback from local businesses for the Owatonna Opportunity Scholarship. Finally, the Grow Your Own teacher development and Apprenticeship programs are a work in progress.

Next was the review of the school board’s governance work plan which can be viewed as an attachment to the agenda on the district’s website. This is a 3-year work plan to guide ongoing board work and includes district policy, operations oversight–annual and unique, board governance, superintendent relations, and public engagement–annual and unique. I believe that I was the only board member to ask questions, focusing on the 2023-2024 school year. Asking about the Transportation Safety District Committee, Mr. Elstad noted that this will be a new committee in the district upcoming. Also, Mr. Elstad clarified that the intergovernmental meetings have not been reinstated since the pandemic started but included various local government members coming together to discuss any issues at hand. Lastly, I noted that our work plan included a statement, “board member term discussion” and asked for clarity. Initially, there was some confusion on this, and then Mr. Sebring noted that this came about to allow for discussions around possible board candidates for upcoming elections. (It is noted that there will be 3 open seats on our school board with voting this November 2024.)

After the last school board meeting, at which time a new library materials policy was introduced, I asked our chair Mr. Sebring, to add this topic to our work session agenda for this meeting. Up to this point, our district has had a policy (606) guiding instructional/curriculum materials, but not specifically for Library Materials. I started the conversation about the new policy noting that we could ask why we should have a library policy, because this can help to identify what we want to include in our policy. Our policy committee members, Jolayne Mohs and Lori Weisenburger, commented that library books have been questioned and controversial in many Minnesota districts over the last few years, so a policy basically helps us to plan and prepare for any future issues. Plus, library materials have been part of the operational plans, but now this will give a more solidified base to reference if needed. In addition, MSBA recently developed a model policy for Library Materials and therefore our policy committee agreed that it would be beneficial to our district. Secondly, I asked about including more specific statements in our policy, since policies tend to be generalized. For example, I asked if it would be unreasonable to state that we shouldn’t have materials with sexual content. Also, I noted that the age appropriateness determination of materials is difficult because we have varying opinions as parents and teachers and staff. Julie Sullivan and Kacie Clausen, our media specialist director, offered insight into the discussion, noting the importance of parents having discussions at home about the books their children are reading. However, I added that in the last week, I was contact by parents concerned about a book in one of their child’s sixth grade classrooms. The child told his parents that this particular book was in the “banned book corner” of the classroom and when the parents discovered one of the books their child was exposed to, they became concerned, believing that the content was too mature for middle schoolers (the father noted that he had read the book in college). The teacher felt this book was appropriate for sixth graders, the parents did not. Books in the classroom are regulated by policy 606, Selection of Resources. I also asked about determining books appropriate for public school versus the public library or the bookstore. Library materials are used by our students for research but also for reading enjoyment. However, I commented that it’s one thing to read in a book that someone was abused, but it’s very different to have graphic descriptions of drug use, abuse, rape, and prostitution (books in our high school have these writings.) Finally, I questioned the policy in that the General Statement of Purpose states, “the school board has the final authority on selection of library materials.” However, the formal process for reconsidering a library material, does not include the school board in any decision making. Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Weisenburger noted that this was discussed in past meetings, and it was felt that since the superintendent is part of the process and he reports to the school board, this was adequate, and the board members did not need to be involved. The policy committee was scheduled to meet on 2/14/2024 so this topic can be reviewed again.

Board forum began with an update from Ms. Bandel with notes from the recent Facilities Committee meeting. The old C-plaza continues to be remodeled. In the destruction process of the old buildings, a time capsule was found dated 1920. Mr. Elstad noted that it was put in a safe place, and they are determining the best way to open the capsule, maybe with a livestream for public viewing. More to come! This is SNOW week for our high school students with various activities, and practice is ongoing in the new Wenger auditorium for the musical Newsies with performances scheduled for the end of the month and early March. Several community members are using the walking track at OHS. The FFA organization is celebrating 100 years this year, having a breakfast in the Foundation Room on 2/22/2024. See the district website for more info. Mr. Elstad has done much work with the organization Schools for Equity in Education and notes that they have just been renamed, now called Schools Advocating for Fair Funding. His work here is aimed at helping our district receive more government funding, as other districts do, in order to relieve some of the burden from our taxpayers. School board members continue to have site visits at our district schools with Mr. Elstad and the principal, allowing us to see and hear and learn more about the good things happening in our schools.

Meeting adjourned. Please be in touch if questions or concerns. Thank you!

I drove out of my way, then stopped and gazed across the street. Dust billowing and lingering as the machines move debris. I could see the bleachers that were once blocked in view by the old pillars, bricks, and mortar of the old high school building. I paused just for a moment, sighed and drove on. We only just moved to Owatonna in 2016 but my son was the 100th graduating class and my daughter was the last graduating class from the 1921 building. Memories…sigh. I read again the post I wrote on April 25, 2023, The Old and the Beautiful, scroll to the bottom of the page in this link if you’d like to read it: https://elizabethforowatonnaschools.com/blog/page/3/. (Thank you, God, that my life and my eternal hope are not in the things of this world.) 

So, we move on. 

At the last school board meeting, a new Library Materials Policy was introduced. This is a brand-new policy written by our policy committee board members and based off the model policy shared with us by the Minnesota School Board Association. This policy differentiates library materials from curriculum. In addition to the policy, there is a form for Resource Reconsideration. You can view the policy and the form through a link on the district website, School Board Meeting Agenda, under VIII.A.2. Policy Revisions (First Reading): https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/1055?meeting=618760https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/1055?meeting=618760 We will be discussing this policy at our next work session on 2/12/24 and then I suspect we will have a second reading and vote on the policy at the Regular Meeting on 2/26/24. While there is no public forum at the work session meetings, there will be a public forum at the next Regular Meeting for anyone to provide input. Also, one can email the school board members if you have feedback, concerns or questions. Please feel free to email me directly: ehedlund@isd761.org. 

I was able to participate in the first of many school tours scheduled for a small group of school board members with Superintendent Elstad and the school principal. We met at McKinley Elementary last week and principal Kiel gave us a tour of the school, while discussing various programs and creative uses of space. He informed us of the many important support staff roles benefitting the school daily. The Teaching and Learning Coach was introduced as an invaluable aid to our teachers and staff. The Student Support Specialist and School Counselor mainly provide proactive means to help students with healthy behaviors and to prevent dysregulation with classroom disruption. The social worker and behavior interventionist are also present and mainly work in the reactive way, to help students that are dysregulated and acting out. The school has a Relaxation Room where students work through a list of calming techniques so that they can go back to class ready to learn and are less likely to disrupt others. I loved the good things that I saw at McKinley that day and even told Mr. Kiel that I wanted to work there!

I’ll admit that all of these roles seem important, and the learning environment seems to benefit from everyone working together, but on the other hand, this is a lot of staff. My mind wanders to thinking about where we live, which is not urban city life or downtown Chicago where crime rates are high. So why does Owatonna need all this extra help in the schools? We are told that mental health issues have gone up significantly, in parents and children. In addition, the rate of Autism Spectrum Disorders is now estimated to be as high as 1 in 36 children, and climbing. As a medical practitioner, I have my own theories about childhood development, autism spectrum disorders, and mental health issues. For now, though, if this is what we need to help our students be successful and learn, then this is where we are. In follow up, I’m asking myself:

1. How long have we had all the additional support staff? 
2. How long will it take to see the measurable benefits of all of this? Are teachers seeing the benefits of these interventions now? 
3. How much Social Emotional Learning activities are we doing and how much are they taking away from core academics? Has this negatively affected proficiency in math and reading or is it helping?
4. If we don’t see progress in academics or improved behaviors, then what? 

Ponder these things, sigh if it helps, and please let me know if you have any feedback or questions. Take care everyone.