August 28, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Regular School Board Meeting and Schoolhouse Closing Public Hearing

Description: 

__ Deborah Bandel	__ Timothy Jensen	__ Eric Schuster
__ Elizabeth Hedlund	__ Jolayne Mohs	__ Mark Sebring
__ Lori Weisenburger
__ Superintendent Elstad	__ Student Representative Jace Forcelle   __ Student Representative Erin Baker

Description: 

As required by Minnesota Statute 123B.51, the School Board of Independent School District No. 761 (Owatonna Public Schools), State of Minnesota, will conduct a public hearing regarding the necessity and practicality of closing the Owatonna High School building located at 333 East School Street, Owatonna, Minnesota. 

The reasons for closing the School Street site of Owatonna High School are as follows:

1. Owatonna High School students will be relocated to the new Owatonna High School on 18th Street beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.
2. The Owatonna High School Citizens’ Task Force recommended on April 11, 2022 that the District own and operate the C plaza, gymnasium/locker room spaces, and VoAg building, as well as support spaces such as parking to support functions currently housed at 515 West Bridge Street and 115 East Rose Street.
3. The Owatonna High School Citizens’ Task Force recommended on April 10, 2023 that the District demolish the portions of the high school on School Street that will not be used by the district.

Persons requesting to give testimony for and against the proposed closing shall be heard before the School Board.

Description:  Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner, Every Day.

Description:  The attached policies have been reviewed by the policy committee and are being presented for a first reading. A few of the policies do not currently have any recommended changes and are for review only. The attached policy revisions summary describes the proposed changes. 

Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

 

Description:  If desired, items may be removed from the consent agenda by request by an individual school board member for independent consideration.  A request is timely if made prior to the vote on the consent agenda.  The request does not require a second or a vote by the school board.  An item removed from the consent agenda will then be discussed and acted on separately immediately following the consideration of the consent agenda.

Roll call vote is required as the consent agenda contains the personnel report.

Description:  The public hearing on the closing of the old Owatonna High School building was held on August 28. Attached is the resolution to close the Owatonna High School building on School Street.

Description:  The Teamworks proposed agreement is to co-design key processes with district leaders and engage in partnership-based discussions to develop an analysis of our attendance boundaries.  The strategic plan will include a comprehensive, transparent process that builds trust with stakeholders.  This will involve a design team, input team, communication strategies, development of a guiding change document for board review, stakeholder interest/influence mapping.

Description:  The Teamworks proposed agreement is to provide comprehensive analytics around demographic trends, district-wide birth analysis, enrollment, projections, developments, market share analysis, access to Online Data Tool and services, fall and spring enrollment projections, customized learning and socio-economic analysis, housing sales data, and comprehensive reports.

Description: 

State law requires a public entity to conduct a public hearing when it intends to increase local tax rates.  The specific dates for the hearing are established by the county and should be approved by the School Board as a matter of providing appropriate public notice.  The Truth in Taxation meeting will be scheduled for December 11, 2023 at 6:00 pm.

Description: 
23-24 Student Meal Prices:
All students enrolled are eligible to receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost on each in-person academic day.

23-24 Adult Meal Prices:
Nutrition Services would like to propose the following prices for adult meals for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year:

• Breakfast -  $2.25 (no change from last year)
• Lunch -  $5.00 ($0.05 increase from last year)

Description:  Attached is an extended trip request for the Owatonna High School concert choir.

Description: 

The District has 10 employees that are not associated with any collective bargaining group recognized by the Bureau of Mediation Services. The Director of Human Resources and Director of Finance have worked closely together in developing a compensation plan for these positions. Salaries for the Director/Supervisor level positions are influenced by a market analysis of our districts with similar demographics, inflation, market competition, and individual responsibilities. The Board has received in its previous correspondence a summary sheet of the proposed salary/benefits and employee guideline changes. 

Chris Picha will be available to answer questions.  

Description: 

The District has approximately 35 employees that are not associated with any collective bargaining group recognized by the Bureau of Mediation Services.  The Board has received in its previous correspondence a summary sheet of the proposed salary/benefits and employee guideline changes.  

Christina Picha will be available to answer questions.  

Description:  At the January work session, members of the City of Owatonna spoke about the remodel of the City's council chambers. Attached is a lease agreement for the ISD 761 school board to use the City chambers for school board meetings. 

Description: 

Policy 706 establishes guidelines for the acceptance of gifts to the District.  As specified by Minnesota Statute 465.03, the School Board may accept a gift, grant, or property only by the adoption of a resolution approved by two-thirds of its members. Any gifts accepted of more than nominal value (more than $5), shall become property of the District (Policy 421).

The gifts are listed on the attached resolution.