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Meeting Agenda
I. Call to Order
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Approval of Agenda
IV. Mission Moment
V. Public Forum
VI. Reports
VI.A. Bond Pre-Sale Report
VII. Item(s):  General Information
VII.A. Enrollment Report
VIII. Item(s): For Discussion - No Action Required by the Board
VIII.A. Board Forum
VIII.A.1. School Board Committee Meeting Reports
VIII.A.2. School Board Work Session Report
VIII.A.3. Policy Revisions (First Reading)
VIII.B. Administrative Report
VIII.B.1. American Indian Education (Equity/High Quality Teaching & Learning)
IX. Consent Agenda:  Board Action Requested
IX.A. Minutes from January 27, 2025
IX.B. Disbursement Report
IX.C. Personnel Report
X. Item(s):  Board Action Requested
X.A. Policy Revisions (Second Reading/Consideration for Approval)
X.B. Achievement and Integration Plan (Equity)
X.C. Resolution to Make Recommendations for Reductions (High Quality Teaching & Learning)
X.D. 2026-2027 School Calendar (21st Century Learners)
X.E. Gifts to the District
XI. Adjournment          
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Owatonna Public Schools
Meeting: February 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular School Board Meeting
Subject:
I. Call to Order
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
Subject:
II. Pledge of Allegiance
Subject:
III. Approval of Agenda
Subject:
IV. Mission Moment
Description:
Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner, Every Day.
Subject:
V. Public Forum
Subject:
VI. Reports
Subject:
VI.A. Bond Pre-Sale Report
Presenter:
Ehlers Public Finance Advisors
Attachments:
Subject:
VII. Item(s):  General Information
Subject:
VII.A. Enrollment Report
Attachments:
Subject:
VIII. Item(s): For Discussion - No Action Required by the Board
Subject:
VIII.A. Board Forum
Subject:
VIII.A.1. School Board Committee Meeting Reports
Attachments:
Subject:
VIII.A.2. School Board Work Session Report
Attachments:
Subject:
VIII.A.3. Policy Revisions (First Reading)
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
 
Attachments:
Subject:
VIII.B. Administrative Report
Attachments:
Subject:
VIII.B.1. American Indian Education (Equity/High Quality Teaching & Learning)
Presenter:
Julie Sullivan, Director of Teaching & Learning
Subject:
IX. Consent Agenda:  Board Action Requested
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.
Subject:
IX.A. Minutes from January 27, 2025
Attachments:
Subject:
IX.B. Disbursement Report
Attachments:
Subject:
IX.C. Personnel Report
Attachments:
Subject:
X. Item(s):  Board Action Requested
Subject:
X.A. Policy Revisions (Second Reading/Consideration for Approval)
Description:
The attached policies were reviewed by the policy committee and presented for a first reading on January 27, 2025. They are being presented for a second reading and consideration for approval. Also attached is the policy revisions summary.

Policies 606, 619, and 707 contain non-substantive changes and have been added for consideration for approval.

Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language
Attachments:
Subject:
X.B. Achievement and Integration Plan (Equity)
Description:
Director of Teaching and Learning Julie Sullivan explained the Achievement and Integration grant during the February 10, 2025 school board work session. 

The purpose of the Achievement and Integration (A&I) for Minnesota program is to pursue racial and economic integration, increase student achievement, create equitable educational opportunities, and reduce academic disparities based on students' diverse racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds in Minnesota public schools.

There are four ways that a district can be eligible for the program:
  1. Racially Isolated (RI): Enrollment of protected-class students districtwide is more than 20 percent, compared to the number of protected-class students in one of their adjoining districts.
  2. Adjoining: District physically adjoins a racially isolated district.
  3. Racially Identifiable School (RIS): Enrollment of protected-class students at a school is more than 20 percent, compared to the number of protected-class students within the district (for the same grade levels served).
  4. Voluntary: District participates voluntarily when geographically feasible. Participation must be approved by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).
The Owatonna Public School District was identified as a Racially Isolated District and is eligible to participate once again in the Achievement and Integration program. The school district has participated in this program since 2019. 

Achievement and Integration's goals are aligned with Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness and focus on racial and economic integration, increasing student achievement, creating equitable educational opportunities, and reducing academic disparities. 

Owatonna Public Schools goals: 
  1. Increase the four-year graduation rate of Free/Reduced Lunch Population (FRPL) by 1.5% each year. 
  2. Increase the percentage of economically diverse students participating in rigorous coursework by 1.5% each year as measured by course enrollment data through targeted student outreach, teacher professional development on equitable instruction, and strategic outreach.
  3. Increase the proficiency rate for students who qualify for FRPL on the MCA Reading assessment in grades 3-5 by 3% each year. 
Subject:
X.C. Resolution to Make Recommendations for Reductions (High Quality Teaching & Learning)
Description:
Superintendent Elstad provided a financial update at the school board work session on February 10, 2025. A $1.8 million reduction in programs/staff is needed to better balance the budget for the 2025-2026 school year.

Attached is a resolution authorizing the superintendent and administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
X.D. 2026-2027 School Calendar (21st Century Learners)
Description:
The school calendar shall be adopted by the school board each year.  It shall meet all provisions of Minnesota statutes pertaining to a minimum number of school days and other provisions of law.  The school calendar shall establish student days, workshop days for staff, provide for emergency closings and other information related to students, staff, and parents.  Each year, our annual calendar is put together by a committee of faculty and administrators. (Policy 602)

Attached is the 2026-2027 school year calendar the Board is being asked to consider for approval.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
X.E. Gifts to the District
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.
Attachments:
Subject:
XI. Adjournment          

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