Decision Updates

This page will include recent votes and decisions made by the school board.

September 25, 2023 VOTES:

  1. Motion passed 7-0 Annual agreement with the Steele County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative with Owatonna Public Schools, grant money covers the cost.
  2. Motion passed 6-1 Policy revisions and approval of policies 102, 406, 410, 413, 414, 415, 418, 419, 504, 506, 507, 509, 515, 522, 807, 901, 902, 905, 906
  3. Motion passed 7-0 Agreement with 2023-2025 Local 147, AFSCME, ALF-CIO, custodial employees and authorizing the chair and clerk to execute the agreement on behalf of the board
  4. Motion passed 7-0 To certify a preliminary tax levy in the maximum amount provided by law, estimated to be 1.64%, with finalization to be done in December 2023.
  5. Motion passed 6-1 Approval of the Assurance of Compliance Report and allowing the Superintendent or his designee to sign and submit on behalf of the district.
  6. Motion passed 7-0 Extended trip request for OMS students to embark on a trip to Washington DC and Philadelphia in 2024.
  7. Motion passed 7-0 Extended trip request for OHS students to attend the national FFA convention in Indiana in 2023
  8. Motion passed 7-0 Award Envirobate the contract for asbestos removal from the old high school for the total amount of $588,500
  9. Motion passed 7-0 Approval of gifts to the district

August 28, 2023

  1. Approval of the Resolution to Close the Owatonna High School Building
  2. Approval of 2 proposals for Teamworks to aid in discussions, analysis and development of attendance boundaries for each of our elementary schools
  3. Approval of the date December 11, 2023 at 6pm as the Truth in Taxation hearing for formal approval of the tax levy
  4. Approval to increase the cost of adult school lunches to $5.00
  5. Approval of extended trip request for OHS Concert Choir to travel to the twin cities
  6. Approval of the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 salary and benefits package and employee guideline changes for directors and supervisors, plus authorize the Chair and Clerk to execute individual agreements on behalf of the board
  7. Approval of the 2023-2025 salary and benefits package and employee guideline changes for non-affiliated employees, plus authorize the Chair and Clerk to execute individual agreements on behalf of the board
  8. Approval of the lease agreement with the City of Owatonna for use of the City Council Chambers for school board meetings
  9. Approval of gifts to the district

July 10, 2023 Approval of ongoing membership in MSHSL (Minnesota State High School League)

June 26, 2023 Approval of: 1. increased pay for casual workers 2. 4% increase salary for cabinet members 3. Amended 2022-2023 budget 4. Preliminary 2023-2024 budget 5. school board meeting schedule for 2023-2024 6. 2024-2025 school calendar 7. ongoing membership into MSBA (MN School Boards Association) 8. ongoing membership into Schools for Equity in Education 9. a resolution to certify the 2022 census allowing for new calculations for the 2023 payable 2024 levy for ISD #761

June 12, 2023 Approval of a new 5 year copier/lease agreement with Marco.

April 24, 2023 the board approved the task force recommendation to cease negotiations with FOHS and demolish the portions of the current high school building that will not be used by the district and retain the green space.

February 27, 2023 the board approved the new start and end times for Owatonna schools for the 2023-2024 school year. This was done due to bussing challenges with the location of the new high school. The new times are as follows:

Elementary grades K-5: 8:10am to 2:40pm;

Middle School grades 6-8: 7:50am to 2:20pm;

High School grades 9-12: 8:20am to 2:50pm

January 9, 2023: annual organizational board meeting to reelect officers for Board Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Clerk. Also, annual elections for the official district’s newspaper and legal counsel, depositories for school district revenue and financial institutions were held. I believe that there was also a vote to increase the annual allowance for each board member from $3500 to $3600. As of now, I assume that there have been no changes in officers, institutions, or others as I do not see any voting results yet online. The evening also included the routine work session, which is not typically recorded (I just learned) so I was unable to watch the meeting. Part of the work session included a presentation for a future shared chambers with the City Council, and this topic will be addressed further in the coming weeks/months.