Owatonna Public Schools

As the start of a new school year approaches, I am excited to see all of the preparations our dedicated staff are making to ensure a successful and enriching experience for all our students. Our commitment to inspiring excellence in every learner, every day remains unwavering.

• First and foremost, I extend my deep gratitude to our teachers, who are working tirelessly to prepare for a great year. They have attended professional development workshops, updated curriculum plans, and are setting up classrooms to create engaging and welcoming spaces for learning. Manageable class sizes paired with talented and caring paraprofessionals and educational assistants help our staff develop strong relationships with each of our students and families.

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Find back-to-school information on one webpage, including links for school supply lists, reduced activity fee information, bus company information, and more!

Visit our back-to-school webpage.

Owatonna Public Schools warmly welcomes our new principals:

Cassie Mitchell is the new principal at Wilson Elementary. Ms. Mitchell has been in education for almost 20 years as a special education teacher, kindergarten and third grade teachers, as well as many leadership and assistant principal roles. She spent the majority of her career, almost 15 years, in North Minneapolis and was with Lakeville Area Schools last year.

Justin Lang is the new principal at Lincoln Elementary. In 2009, Mr. Lang started with Owatonna Public Schools as a special education teacher at Lincoln. After two years, he moved to Willow Creek for a year. He then transferred to McKinley Elementary, where he spent the last 12 years in special education. For the last three years, Justin served as the elementary principal for the Targeted Services Summer Learning Programs for K Kamp and K-5.

Dr. Martina Wagner is the new principal for the Owatonna Area Learning Center and Owatonna Online 7-12. Dr. Wagner previously taught in Owatonna Public Schools and served as the educational equity and multilingual coordinator. Most recently, she served as the superintendent and director of teaching and learning for Red Wing Public Schools.

School board members are elected during the November General Election on even years. All board members are elected at-large.

2024 Filing Dates
The period for filing affidavits of candidacy for the office of school board member began July 30, 2024 and closes at 5:00 p.m. on August 13, 2024.

Election Day: November 5, 2024
On November 5, three members will be elected to the School Board for terms of four years each.

Affidavits of Candidacy
Affidavits of Candidacy are available from the school district clerk at the Owatonna Public Schools District Office, 333 East School Street, Owatonna. Affidavits of candidacy must be filed in the office of the school district clerk and the $2 filing fee paid prior to 5:00 p.m. on August 13, 2024.

Find eligibility and other information

Watch for the upcoming Community Education Fall brochure, filled with adult and youth enrichment opportunities! Arriving in your mailbox will be information for School Age Care, Adult/Youth Enrichment, Adult Education, and community events, trips, and tours. Fall special events are already posted on the Community Education website: communityed.isd761.org/our-school/special-events.

Registration for Adult/Youth Enrichment begins Monday, September 9, at 6am online and 8am in person and via phone. Some programs are already open for registration here.

For more information, visit communityed.isd761.org or call 507-444-7900.

The DCAC (District Curriculum Advisory Committee) meets four times a year from 3:15-5:15pm. The DCAC serves as an advisory committee to the School Board. If interested, please complete and submit this application by September 1. All terms are for one year.

Owatonna Public Schools is serving as the 2024 Community Campaign Leader for United Way of Steele County. Come to the Steele County Free Fair on Sunday, August 18, at 6:30pm at the Wenger Fair Square Stage to help kick-off this year's campaign.

Mark Friday, September 6, on your calendar for a United Way of Steele County community tailgating event before that evening's football game. Watch for more information.

Game/event tickets and activity passes will again be pre-sold through Hometown Ticketing.

• Ticket box office is available at owatonnaactivities.com - click on the blue box “Hometown Ticketing.” Tickets and activity passes are available on this site.

• Online ticketing will be used for all events that require admission fees. Tickets can be scanned from your phone or printed and scanned.

• Tickets are available for spectators 1-2 weeks prior to events.

• Activity passes are available as an online option and scanned at the gates. Activity passes are also available in the Activities Office as a hard pass - 444-8988 or nbenson@isd761.org.

• Activity passes will be on sale August 14. We encourage purchasing electronic activity passes rather than hard passes.

• Tickets are non-refundable. Ticket refunds minus the service fee will be provided for canceled games only. No refunds for postponed games.

• No cash will be accepted for ticketing.

Parents: Please be sure to log into your Campus Parent account to complete yearly back-to-school requirements, verify contact information the district has on file, and review annual notices. If you need assistance with accessing or setting up your Campus Parent account, please contact Infinite Campus Support (campushelp@isd761.org or 507-444-8650).

Also be sure to view your school’s student handbook. Handbooks can be found on the website, and each school’s newsletter will have a link to the handbook along with a form for you to acknowledge receipt. Handbooks include important information about procedures, policies and notices.

Public Notice Regarding Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records

Notification of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

In October, grades 3-12 will be asked to take the Desired Daily Experiences survey. For more information, please review school board policy 520 - Student Surveys.

Find additional Student Privacy notices on the Notices & Reports webpage - click on the "Student Privacy" tab.

• August 26 - Owatonna Online Virtual Family Information Session - Grades K-6
  
• August 27 - Owatonna High School Student/Family Open House
• August 27 - Owatonna Online Virtual Open House - Grades 7-8
  
• August 29 - Owatonna Middle School Student/Parent Information Day
• August 29 - Owatonna Area Learning Center (ALC) Student/Parent Open House
• August 27 - Owatonna Online Virtual Open House - Grades 9-12
  
• August 29 - Adult Education Open House
• August 29, September 3 and 4 - Preschool and Grades K-5 Before School Interviews
• September 3 - Grade 6 Orientation
• September 3 - Grades 9-12 First Day of School
• September 4 - Grades 6-8 First Day of School
• September 5 - Grades K-5 First Day of School
• September 5-6 - Preschool First Days of School
• September 9 - Adult Education First Day of Classes

• August 12, 3:00pm - School Board Retreat - Owatonna Public Schools District Office, 333 East School Street (front entrance faces Grove Ave)
  
• August 12, 5:30pm - School Board Work Session - Owatonna Public Schools District Office, 333 East School Street (front entrance faces Grove Ave)
• August 26, 5:30pm - School Board Regular Meeting - Charles S Crandall Center, Chambers, 540 West Hills Circle

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