January 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Organizational School Board Meeting

Description: 

__ Ron Kubicek	__ Timothy Jensen	__ Andrea Van Gelder
__ Elizabeth Hedlund	__ Jolayne Mohs	__ Mark Sebring
__ Lori Weisenburger
__ Superintendent Champa	__ Student Representative Ayoub Farah   __ Student Representative Lowell Schultz

Description:  Nominations and appointments for the positions of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Clerk and Treasurer need to be made for the 2026 year.  After three calls for nominations, the acting chair closes the nominations for the office.  If only one person is nominated, the chair may declare that candidate elected.  If more than one person is nominated, a vote is necessary.

Description:  Mark Sebring currently holds the office of Chairperson. Nominations will be taken for this position and an appointment made. 

After three calls for nominations, the acting chair closes the nominations for the office.  If only one person is nominated, the chair may declare that candidate elected.  If more than one person is nominated, a vote is necessary.

Description:  Lori Weisenburger held the office of Vice-Chairperson in 2025. Nominations will be taken for this position and an appointment made.

After three calls for nominations, the acting chair closes the nominations for the office.  If only one person is nominated, the chair may declare that candidate elected.  If more than one person is nominated, a vote is necessary.
 

Description:  Tim Jensen held the office of Clerk in 2025. Nominations will be taken for this position and an appointment made.

After three calls for nominations, the acting chair closes the nominations for the office.  If only one person is nominated, the chair may declare that candidate elected.  If more than one person is nominated, a vote is necessary.
 

Description:  Jolayne Mohs held the office of Treasurer in 2025. Nominations will be taken for this position and an appointment made.

After three calls for nominations, the acting chair closes the nominations for the office.  If only one person is nominated, the chair may declare that candidate elected.  If more than one person is nominated, a vote is necessary.
 

Description: 

The school board annually approves the school board committees at the organizational meeting. Attached is a list of the committees and assignments. Questions about board member assignments can be directed to Mark Sebring.

See Policy 213 - School Board Committees
 

Description:  The District is required each year to authorize a person to make application and be the contact person for funds provided under Title I, Public Law 103-382.  The representative will ensure that the school district maintains compliance with the appropriate Federal Statutes, Regulations, and State procedures currently in effect.  It is recommended that Julie Sullivan, Director of Teaching and Learning, serve in that capacity.
 

Description:  The District is required to designate a newspaper as the official newspaper to provide meeting notices, School Board summaries, requests for bids, and other official business of the School Board.

The Owatonna People’s Press is the most frequently circulated newspaper in Owatonna and has been the official newspaper of the District for many years.
 

Description: 

The Board is being asked to set the 2026 regular meeting schedule, with the date, time, and place for such meetings designated.

The District has historically held two (2) Board meetings per month. The second Monday of the month has been a work session held at the Owatonna Public Schools District Office. The fourth Monday of the month has been a business meeting held at the Charles S Crandall Center, 540 West Hills, Owatonna. Regular meetings in 2025 began at 5:30 p.m. 

Attached is a regular meeting schedule for 2026 based on past practice. Exceptions to the second and fourth Monday meetings are noted with an asterisk. Potential conflicts are also listed on the schedule. 

Description:  The District has used a variety of firms to provide legal services.  Each firm has been used by school administration for counsel on various matters. Dorsey & Whitney has been used on matters related to referendums; and Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney on matters related to personnel and special education.  Counsel is used only by District level administration and only after receiving superintendent approval.

Receiving periodic legal counsel is a means of ensuring the District is doing everything within its power to handle difficult matters in a fair and lawful manner.
 

Description: 

The district is required to designate its depositories for school district revenues.  It is good practice to periodically review the depository practices of the district to ensure the safekeeping of its assets and to maximize its investment.

Old National Bank and PTMA Financial are the district’s designated depositories for revenues related to its payroll, student activity accounts, general accounts, and savings, and they have provided timely services to the district. 
 

Description:  The District has historically used a variety of institutions to oversee the proper investment of its assets.  It is good practice to periodically review the investment practices of the District to ensure the safekeeping of its assets while maximizing its investments.

Below are the financial institutions the District has used, and the Board is asked to authorize:

• Wells Fargo Bank NA
• US Bank
• Wells Fargo Investment Service, Inc.
• PTMA Financial
• Old National Bank
• The Bank of New York Mellon

Description:  The district is required to designate persons authorized to deposit and withdraw money on behalf of the district to the checking and investment accounts.
 

Description:  The district is required to designate cosigners of checks and the use of their signatures on its check signing machine.  The cosigners will be the newly elected chair, clerk and treasurer of the Board.
 

Description: 

For 2025, the Board established an annual compensation of $3,850 per board member.  The Board added $600 to the annual allowance for the position of Chair, and $450 to the position of Vice-Chair.  It is recommended that the Board consider an allowance of $4,000 per board member with an additional $600 to the position of Chair and $450 to the position of Vice-Chair for the year 2026. 

The annual compensation is dispersed over 24 pay periods.
 

Description:  The District has historically appointed a Deputy Treasurer whose responsibility is to act in the stead of its elected treasurer.  This position has been held by the superintendent of schools as a means of providing an ‘internal’ check on the district’s accounting system.