Category Archives: Blog

Our school board work session was held at 5:30pm May 8, 2023 at the district office, all 7 board members were in attendance, and we concluded at 7:30pm. Nutrition services began with a presentation and updates for the year. Sarah Brooks is a registered dietitian and leads our team. Owatonna schools have 7 kitchens withinContinue reading “May 8,2023 Work Session”

In follow up to the earlier post this week, I want to clarify that there are existing portions of current high school that will remain in place and updated with the previously approved referendum money. Hope this helps! This link will answer some of the questions people have had: https://engageowatonna.com/the-high-school Based on the information inContinue reading “Clarification”

Twenty-one years ago, I was pregnant with my first-born child. Growing up, all I ever wanted to be was a mommy and here I was, finally anticipating and excitedly preparing for my own baby! I carefully chose my baby’s crib based on design, color, functionality and our budget. When the baby’s room was complete, IContinue reading “The Old and the Beautiful”

The school board work session meeting was held at the district office with all school board members attending. First to present to the board were 4 members from the Owatonna Existing High School Task Force. From a Press Release dated April 12, 2022, the task force that began meeting in November 2021 made recommendations toContinue reading “April 10, 2023 Work Session”

Curriculum… this is a big topic and I’m just beginning to understand it! Our district has the Department of Teaching and Learning, currently led by Michelle Krell (/https://www.isd761.org/district-services/teaching-learning). Owatonna school district education policies are found here: https://www.isd761.org/our-district/school-board/policies , specifically policy 601: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1614284439/owatonnak12mnus/bc19ra9w3iwfbvlbdbr1/601_1.pdf . See also policies 603, 604, and 606. Basically, as I understand itContinue reading “Curriculum – policy 601”

In follow up to the last post, there are several other bills that are currently being discussed at the capitol. Our superintendent and director of finance have mentioned these in past meetings, including the concern for the challenging financial impact they will have on most, if not all, school districts in MN. While they mayContinue reading “MN Legislature, part 2”

HF 1269 /https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF1269&version=latest&session=92&session_number=0&session_year=2023 This bill is currently in the MN Legislature, and it’s very long. I’ve only copied/pasted a very select group of statements that stood out to me, but there may be many more sections that stand out to you. What do we do with this information? If this bill is worrisome to youContinue reading “MN Legislature: Consider Your Part”

In light of the announcement of our new director of special services, Dr. Sarah Knudsen, plus my recent conversations with frustrated foster parents, I decided to look for the resources Owatonna and ISD 761 have for parents and their children with special needs. This is a great starting point: https://www.isd761.org/district-services/special-services/special-services . For all children notContinue reading “Speaking of Special Services”

Highlights of the agenda discussions and votes for our regular school board meeting in the small group forum room at the OHS, beginning at 5:30pm. For Mission Moment, Mr. Elstad recognized an Owatonna community member who is an adult student earning a Life Long Learner award. She moved to the United States, came to Owatona,Continue reading “March 20, 2023 Regular School Board Meeting”

We had our work session at the district office on Monday 3/13/2023, beginning at 5:30pm. Our new director of finance and operations, Lori Volz, and assistant, Sarah Cramblit, presented a finalized budget plan that we will vote to approve at the next regular school board meeting which is Monday March 20,2023 (moved up one weekContinue reading “March 13, 2023 Work Session”