Connections
Owatonna Public Schools - District Staff Newsletter
Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner, Every Day.
February 2019
Wow... what a way to start the week!
Building Bond Referendum Update
At the January 28, 2019 meeting, the Board approved the Resolution Relating to Determining the Necessity of Issuing General Obligation Bonds (in an amount not to exceed $118 million) and Calling a Special Election (on May 14, 2019). The amount of $118 million came after the generous gift from Federated Insurance of $20 million brought the amount required to build a new high school down from $138 million. Additional in-kind gifts from our business community cannot be monetized at this time due to the design and total costs not yet determined.Since January 28, the District received word of another large donation of $2 million from a local business partner in support of building a new high school. More information regarding this new gift will be coming in the near future. This morning, at 7:00 a.m. during a special school board meeting, the amount of $118 million was lowered to factor in this new donation and the ballot will read, not to exceed $116 million.
What a generous and amazing community we have here at Owatonna! We can't thank our community partners enough for the support they continue to provide our school district.
High School Tours Open to the Public
The Owatonna Senior High School will host school tours in the weeks leading up to the May 14 school district special election when voters will be asked to consider a building bond referendum for a new high school.
The tours are open to the public and will be conducted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Tours will begin every half hour near the auditorium doors.
The dates of the tours are:
- Saturday, February 2
- Saturday, February 16
- Saturday, March 2
- Saturday, March 16
- Saturday, April 13
- Saturday, April 27
- Saturday, May 11
A high school tour handout has been created with key messages for every stop the tour guides will make. A virtual tour will soon be made available on our website and district social media pages highlighting the tour and key messages provided. To view the high school tour handout CLICK HERE.
Related:
Special Services Supporting Safe and Caring Communities
The Special Services department supports the Owatonna Public School District’s commitment of Safe & Caring Communities in various ways. From birth to age 21, the Special Services department builds relationships with students, families, and community partners. Our community partners can include daycares as well as home visits through ECSE, providing services to students enrolled at other community schools, and having students participate in a Community Work Based Learning program that partners with local businesses. Students' individual safety needs can be addressed through special services service plans while community involvement is addressed through providing needed aids and services for non-academic and extracurricular activities and community participation transition services.
Each spring, the OHS Special Services team participates in a campaign to “Spread the Word to End the Word,” which raises awareness that the use of the “R” word is offensive and hurtful, thus promoting the goals of increased respect and acceptance. By providing services in the least restrictive environment appropriate for students who receive special services, the Special Services department supports students feeling positively connected with the school community.
Trialing a co-teaching model at McKinley Elementary during the 2018-19 is a part of this
process. Please join us at our Special Education Advisory Council meeting 2/4/19 at 5:30 in the OHS Small Group Forum to learn more about this co-teaching model.
Teacher Transfer Requests
It is the practice of ISD761 to accept and consider teacher requests to transfer to other buildings/grade levels for the following school year. In an effort to assist in the professional growth and personal situations of teachers with an interest in a transfer, the district will accept requests for transfers through February 15, 2019. Please direct written requests to: Chris Picha, Director of Human Resources, at the District Office.
Teacher Retirement Notice Incentive
The District shall contribute a lump sum of $1,000 to any employee who is eligible to retire under Article XVII in the OEA Teacher Master Agreement and submits a notice of intent to retire to the Department of Human Resources prior to February 15 of the school year in which he/she retires. The lump sum will be paid into the employee’s VEBA, 403(b) or Health Care Savings Plan administered by the District’s Deferral Payment Plan Provider.
Student Incidents
1095-C Forms
The District will be issuing the required Form 1095-C to all applicable full-time employees prior to the March 4, 2019 deadline. Employees have the option of receiving their Form 1095-C electronically in SMARTeR. If you would like to receive your Form electronically, please follow the steps below to give consent.
- Log into SMARTeR
- Payroll Items
- ACA Form 1095
- Select the ‘Yes’ button
(This is a one time election. Consent does not need to be provided every year.)
If you choose to not give consent, your 1095 will be mailed to your home address.
Toiletries Collection
Are you traveling during spring break? Please keep in mind that we continue to collect unused toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body wash, etc.) for the Crisis Resource Center. As you travel, please remember to bring your unused hotel toiletries home and send them to Meghan Lendt at the District Office.
Upcoming District Deadlines, Events and Meetings
February 4, 7:00 am
February 4, 5:30 pm
Special Education Advisory Council Meeting
February 11, 5:30 pm
School Board Work Session
February 15
Teacher Transfer Requests Due to HR Director
February 25, 5:30 pm
School Board Meeting
District Events Calendar for Staff
Past Internal District Staff E-Newsletters
Did you miss a past internal district staff e-newsletter?
Connections E-Newsletter
FOCUS E-Newsletter
October: Update on Community Task Force on Facilities
November: Career Pathways with High School Principal, Mark Randall