Owatonna Public Schools

Watch the video to learn about Special Education Services at Owatonna Public Schools making education accessible for every student.

By Dr. Sarah Knudsen, Director of Special Services

Owatonna Public Schools provides special education services for students from birth to age 22, supporting children and young adults with disabilities in developing essential skills for academics, social interactions, and independent living. The goal of special education is to create a fair learning environment where each student, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to succeed.

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On Tuesday, November 5, voters will cast their ballots in a variety of local, state, and federal elections. At times, the rhetoric around these campaigns has become intense, and we know that the debates around many of today’s issues can quickly get emotional.

We encourage all members of our school district community to remain especially respectful and empathetic in interactions with others. Whether you are happy with the election results or not, we ask that we all focus on maintaining a safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environment for all.

This year's general election includes the school board. Three members will be elected to the school board for terms of four years each. All board members are elected at-large.

2024 School Board Candidates

Nikki Gieseke
Mike Herman
Christina Ingvaldson
Timothy Jensen
Ron Kubicek
April St. Martin
Eric Schuster
Andrea Van Gelder

Watch the September 30 Candidate Forum

Watch the October 23 Candidate Forum

Election information
Register to Vote
Polling Place Finder
What's On My Ballot?

The 2024 Student School Board Development Event, hosted by the Minnesota School Board Association, provided an opportunity for student school board members to collaborate directly with peers from across the state. We are grateful to our student representatives on the Owatonna School Board, Erin Baker and Ayoub Farah, for bringing student voices to the board!

Pictured left to right: School Board Chair Mark Sebring, School Board Student Representatives Erin Baker and Ayoub Farah, Superintendent Jeff Elstad

Watch the chaos unfold onstage in the Owatonna High School Theater Department's fall show, "The Play That Goes Wrong." Students have been hard at work creating a hilarious show!

Purchase tickets for this weekend (November 7-9) at https://www.owatonnaactivities.com/ticketing

Congratulations to the Owatonna High School Football Team on their Section 1AAAAA Championship!

State Tournament Class AAAAA South Quarterfinals

#1 Owatonna vs. #4 Cretin-Derham Hall
Saturday, November 9, at 1pm
Eastview High School, 6200 140th Street West in Apple Valley
Buy tickets online

Congratulations to the Girls Cross Country Team who earned the Section 1AAA Championship! Team members include Leah Leckner, Clara Meier, Clara Sennott, Kendra Melby, Harmony Piepho, Ava Cox, Sophia Qualley, Jaycie Smith, and Audrey Hudock.

Congrats also to the Boys Cross Country team members who qualified for the state meet individually - Dawson Levy and Jack Sorenson.

The Walking Track program in the OHS gym begins November 6 and runs through May 2. Hours are 5-9pm from November 6-March 7, and 6-9pm from March 10-May 2 (due to sports schedules).

The track is only open days when school is in session. The cost for a day pass is $5 per day and the year-long program is $50.

Everyone must register and complete the fitness waiver online (even if you did it last year) or in-person at Roosevelt School, 122 East McKinley Street. If you have a senior activity pass, you may use the track for free, but you must still re-enroll in this program and complete the fitness waiver ahead of time at Roosevelt School.

Questions? Please call Owatonna Community Ed at 507-444-7900.

Owatonna Community Education truly appreciates the support of our community members, instructors, partners, and support staff.

For National Community Education Day (November 14), share how Owatonna Community Education has positively impacted your life! Give feedback on Google or Facebook and have a chance to win 10% off a future Owatonna Community Education class (trips not included)! Include a photo for an extra entry.

Submit through Thursday, November 14, at 8pm. Winner will be chosen and announced at 10am on November 15.

When weather conditions require a change to the school schedule or a closure, every effort is made to notify families promptly through our school messenger system, website, and local radio and TV stations.

Parents choose to receive notifications via text message, phone call, email, and/or parent portal inbox messages. To help us contact households efficiently, be sure to update home, work and/or cellphone information in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, and verify the appropriate boxes are checked to receive notifications.

Other ways to stay informed:

• Visit the website: www.isd761.org
• Check local TV stations: KSTP-5, KMSP FOX 9, KARE 11, WCCO, KEYC TV, KTTC, KAAL
• Listen to local radio stations: KOWZ, KRFO/KAT KOUNTRY 105, KDHL

The first two inclement weather/emergency days in Owatonna Public Schools are considered non-attendance days for students. In the event OPS has more than two inclement weather/emergency days, students will follow the E-Learning Plan.

On Tuesday, November 12 at 5:00 pm, the Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness (formerly World's Best Workforce) annual meeting will be held at the District Office, 333 East School Street (enter through Grove Avenue).

You are invited to hear a district status report and focused action steps on how the district is addressing these goal areas set by the Minnesota Legislature:

• All children are ready for school.
• All racial and economic achievement gaps between students are closed.
• All students are ready for career and college.
• All students graduate from high school.
• Prepare students to be lifelong learners.

Learn more on the CACR webpage.

Watch the October School Board business meeting on YouTube. Find agendas and other information on the district website.

Upcoming meetings:

• Thursday, November 7 from 3-6pm - School Board Data Retreat - District Office, 333 East School Street
• Tuesday, November 12, 5:00pm - Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness Annual Meeting - District Office, 333 East School Street
• Tuesday, November 12 (note date and location change), 5:30pm - School Board Special Meeting immediately followed by Work Session - District Office, 333 East School Street
  
• Monday, November 25, 5:30pm - School Board Business Meeting - Charles S Crandall Center, Chambers, 540 West Hills Circle

• November 15 - Grades PreK-5 - No school, conferences
• November 27-29 - No school

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Celebrate our students, our staff and our schools by following us on social media. If you like what you see, be sure to share it with others. Together, we are #OwatonnaProud!

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Owatonna Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, or socio-economic status. Students with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education that includes general education, special education and/or related aids and services. Direct reports/concerns to the Title IX Coordinator. More information can be found on the website.

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