Category Archives: Blog

This week, some of our Owatonna students participated in the MN Student Survey. I wrote about this survey previously on 1/6/2025 after members from Steele County Public Health came to talk to the board. This is what I wrote at that time: “Two members of Steele County Public Health presented information regarding the Minnesota StudentContinue reading “MN Student Survey”

Highlights from our regular meeting…also note that because of the tornado warning, everyone in attendance had to step down into the basement from 5:42pm until 6pm. Incoming Superintendent, Dr. Champa, was also in attendance with us. She has been communicating regularly with Superintendent Elstad and is planning to attend our meetings as much as possible.Continue reading “4/28/2025 Regular Meeting”

Work Session highlights: For Wilson Elementary, Mrs. Cassie Mitchell, principal of Wilson school, gave the presentation with a few Wilson staff members. They focused on Wilson’s community, culture, and curriculum, highlighting the importance of the Teaching and Learning Coach and the school counselor in their respective roles. Also noted was the work toward the alignmentContinue reading “4/14/2025 Work Session & Survey”

WELCOME Dr. Tamara Champa! The last 3 weeks have been encompassed by a review of Superintendent applications, discussions, school board meetings, 4 semi-finalist interviews, followed by 2 finalist interviews. Our finalist candidates each spent long arduous days touring our schools and the community, meeting with various groups (students, chamber members, community members, staff/teachers/principals, cabinet members),Continue reading “New Superintendent and 3/24/2025 Regular Meeting”

Our work sessions are now held at the District Office on School Street; therefore, the Special Meeting was also held there just prior to our work session. The Special Meeting was held to approve the previously discussed pool remodel project. This project has been delayed due to much higher-than-expected project bids in the past. TheContinue reading “3/10/2025 Special Mtg & Work Session”

I gave up watching the news on television several years ago, but once in a while, information comes along that is interesting, helpful, and/or deserves some thoughtful attention. Here are some things came across to me by various interactions over the last week. Please understand that these writings are never giving legal advice to theContinue reading “Other weekly news…”

Our regular monthly recorded school board meeting began with all 7 members present at 5:30pm. HIGHLIGHTS for tonight’s meeting: Mission Moment: Superintendent Elstad recognized the work of our 4 Instruction Coaches at the elementary schools. These coaches assist our teachers with curriculum and teaching methods, essentially coaching teachers to do the best work they can.Continue reading “2/24/2025 Regular Meeting”

IN LOVING MEMORY ~ Cyrus James Hedlund, born 2/10/2025, 1#3oz, 11.5″ He has mommy’s mouth and daddy’s nose, 10 perfect little fingers and 10 perfect little toes. Last week was a whirlwind that began when I was woken by a phone call at 1:52am on February 10, 2025. My daughter in law stated that thereContinue reading “Life is Real”

Our regular meeting took place per usual beginning at 5:30pm. These are the HIGHLIGHTS of the meeting! Several recognitions were noted including our student ExCel Award winners and Triple “A” Award nominees, and our principal Justin Kiel won a leadership award for his work at McKinley Elementary School. Congratulations!! Our enrollment summary is notable forContinue reading “1/27/2025 Regular Meeting”

As I was reading this week’s post, I realized I made a typo in stating McKinley’s theme. The theme should have read, “Be you, Be HERE, Belong.” I giggled when I read that I instead typed, “…Be her…” I am exhausted this week and so, typos are more easily showing up. As life goes, thereContinue reading “Correction”