May 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular School Board Meeting

Description: 

__ Ron Kubicek	__ Timothy Jensen	__ Andrea Van Gelder
__ Elizabeth Hedlund	__ Jolayne Mohs	__ Mark Sebring
__ Lori Weisenburger
__ Superintendent Elstad	__ Student Representative Erin Baker   __ Student Representative Ayoub Farah

Description:  Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner, Every Day.

Description:  The attached policies were reviewed by the policy committee and are being presented for a first reading.  Also attached is the policy revisions summary.

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:  Student school board representatives serve as non-voting members who are advisors to, and meet and work with, the school board and administration in the formation and evaluation of policy and regulations in the operation of our school system. Student representatives attend and participate in all open meetings of the school board, including work sessions.  Student school board representatives provide an important communication link with the student body, and by participation, obtain practical governmental experience.

See Policy 220, Student School Board Representatives for more information.

Erin Baker served as the student school board representative during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years. Erin graduates from high school this year and her term as the student school board representative ends in May.

Applications for student school board representatives were due March 15. Interviews were conducted by the school board chairperson, school board vice-chairperson, high school principal, and superintendent/school board executive assistant in April. The interview committee recommends that Lowell Schultz, a sophomore at OHS, serve as the student school board representative along with Ayoub Farah. Lowell will serve as student representative during his junior and senior years.
 

Description: 

The school calendar is adopted annually by the school board.  Each year, the calendar shall meet all provisions of Minnesota Statutes pertaining to the minimum number of school days and other provisions of law.  The school calendar establishes student days, workshop days for staff, provides for emergency closings and other information related to students, staff, and parents.

The Minnesota Department of Education recommends that the board adopt an updated calendar when a school day is canceled. During the 2024-2025 school year, Owatonna Public Schools experienced inclement weather and canceled classes on February 18 and March 5. Also due to inclement weather, March 19 was an E-Learning day.

Attached is the updated final calendar.
 

Description:  The attached policy was reviewed by the policy committee and was presented for a first reading on April 28.  Also attached is the policy revisions summary.

Note: Policy 214 - Out-of-State Travel by School Board Members was recently reviewed by the policy committee and was added for review only. There are no recommended changes to policy 214.

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

Description: 

Minnesota  Section 128C.01, requires individual school boards to authorize membership in the Minnesota State High School League.  The Resolution for Membership affirms (1) that our school board delegates the control, supervision and regulation of interscholastic activities and athletics to the Minnesota State High School League; (2) that our school board adopts the MSHSL Constitution, Bylaws, Policies, and Rules and Regulations; and, (3) that the administration and responsibility for supervising activities and athletics is assigned to our official school representative(s). 

Section 208.00 of the MSHSL Constitution found in the Official Handbook and online at mshsl.org provides that each member school shall identify a Designated School Representative and Designated School Board Member. The designees identified are authorized to vote on behalf of the member school at all district, region and section meetings whether in-person or by mail ballots. In addition, each school must identify individuals to represent boys’ sports, girls’ sports, speech and music. Schools are also urged to form a Local Advisory Committee to address MSHSL matters.

Signing this resolution affirms that the Board has reviewed all required membership materials provided by the League, which define the purpose and value of education-based activities and athletic programs and defines each member school's responsibilities. 

The resolution is attached.

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.