May 20, 2020 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  Nikki Gieseke   ____    Jolayne Mohs     ____        Mark Sebring      ____    
Eric Schuster   ____     Timothy Jensen ____        Christina Ingvaldson  ____
Lori Weisenburger  ____   Student Representative  ____

Description:  Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner, Every Day.

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 Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) requires that school districts annually designate an Identified Official with Authority to comply with the MNIT Enterprise Identity and Access Management Standard which states that all user access rights to Minnesota state systems must be reviewed and recertified at least annually. The Identified Official with Authority will assign job duties and authorize external user’s access to MDE secure systems for their local education agency (LEA). It is recommended that the Board authorize Jeffrey Elstad to act as the Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) for Owatonna Public School District 0761-01. 

Description:  During the pandemic, per Governor Walz's executive order, all Minnesota Public Schools have moved to a system of distance learning for the remainder of the school year. MDE acknowledges this unprecedented move to distance learning may have created a high level of stress, anxiety and uncertainty for students and families. We are using that as a lens to adjust our grading practices. Some students will thrive in distance learning models while others may be overwhelmed and need a lot of support. MDE has recognized the need to design new assessment and grading systems that cause no harm and minimize long-term detrimental impacts for students.

Attached for Board approval is the grading practices document developed for use during distance learning.

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 2019-2020 school year, Owatonna Public Schools were closed due to inclement weather on February 13, and due to the pandemic on March 17, 18, and 19.   The District also added two teacher work days on May 1 and 4 to prepare for distance learning for the remainder of the school year. The calendar draft attached reflects these changes.

Description:  A request for a building project for the Cannon Valley Special Education Cooperative (CVSEC) was presented earlier during the May 20, 2020 school board meeting.
 

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.