Category Archives: Blog

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”

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was asking questions about several topics, one of them was regarding our school libraries and book choices. I know several parents have concerns about these books because, as a parent also, we don’t know what books our children are exposed to at school. When my oldest sonContinue reading “Library Information”

The “regular school board meeting” was held in the small group forum room at the high school. The agenda was long, I tried to summarize the main points here. Mr. Elstad used “Mission Moment” to recognize the Shrek directors and staff. With opening weekend behind us and 2 more performances, this weekend, we heard lotsContinue reading “Regular School Board Meeting 2/27/2023”

The results of the student and family survey are now posted on the district website. Here is the link! https://sites.google.com/isd761.org/dde-survey-reports-public/home