January 8, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Organizational Meeting

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:  Nominations and appointments for the positions of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Clerk and Treasurer need to be made for the 2024 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 2023. 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:  Eric Schuster held the office of Clerk in 2023. 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 2023. 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 the draft list of the committee assignments. Questions about board member assignments can be directed to Mark Sebring.
 

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 District has historically held two (2) Board meetings per month.  They have been starting at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month.  The first meeting of the month has been a school board work session, and the second meeting of the month a regular business meeting.  Any variation in the dates and times of meetings requires proper notification to the public.  

Meetings for the 2023-2024 school year are now in place based upon Board approval of times and dates at its January 2023 organizational meeting.  With this motion, the Board authorizes the administration to establish a calendar of Board meetings for the 2024-2025 school year in a manner similar to past practice.
 

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.

Bremer Bank and PMA Financial Network, Inc. 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.
• PMA Financial Network, Inc.
• Bremer Bank

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 2023, the Board established an annual allowance of $3,600 per board member.  The Board added $600 to the annual allowance for the position of Chair.  It is being recommended that the Board consider an allowance of $3,700 per board member with an additional $600 for the position of Chair for the year 2024. 

The annual allowance is dispersed over 24 pay periods.

It is within the Board’s discretion to determine whatever amount it so desires in return for carrying out its responsibilities.  The Board provides a valuable public service.
 

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.
 

Description: 

School District and the Local 147, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Secretarial/Clerical Employee representatives reached a tentative agreement on a collective bargaining agreement for the 2023-2025 school year on November 30, 2023.  Local 147, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Secretarial/Clerical Employee ratified the tentative agreement on December 13, 2023.  The Board has received in its previous correspondence a summary sheet of the proposed salary/benefits and language changes.  

Christina Picha will be available to answer questions.  

Description: 

School District and the Owatonna Educational Assistant Staff representatives reached a tentative agreement for the 2023-2025 school year on December 21, 2023.  The Board has received in its previous correspondence a summary sheet of the proposed salary/benefits and language changes.  

Chris Picha will be available to answer questions.  

Description:  The Board is asked to take action in a single motion, but the Board may separate any individual items if they so choose. 

Roll call vote is required.