Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Enrollment Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent: Owatonna online enrollment rising; district pushing lawmakers for aid and program funding
Summary
Superintendent Mr. Elstad reported a higher-than-projected district enrollment driven by growth in Owatonna Online, urged legislative support for equalization and special education funding, and highlighted a partnership with Minnesota State Mankato to grow teacher pipelines.
Mr. Elstad, speaking as the district’s superintendent, told the board Jan. 27 that the Owatonna Public School District’s most recent enrollment report shows 5,121 students, roughly 200–250 more than projected, and that much of the growth comes from the district’s Owatonna Online program.
“Owatonna online…is a revenue producer for the district,” Mr. Elstad said, adding the online program has nearly 400 students and is reducing long-term pressure on local property taxpayers. He said the growth is concentrated in grades 4 and above, with limited traction in grades K–3.
Elstad used his administrative report to urge board support for state-level changes, saying district leaders will press for adjustments to school funding equalization that he described as unchanged for about 15 years. He told board members the district is “still falling short by about 50%” of special education funding that would remove a burden from the general fund, and urged continued state funding for unemployment insurance and elimination of cross-subsidies.
Elstad also described a local partnership with Minnesota State University, Mankato, and six nearby districts to develop “grow your own” teacher apprenticeship programs, saying he will request legislative funding to support the initiative.
The superintendent noted a recent award for McKinley Elementary principal Justin Kiel (named in the district release), and board members asked staff to provide a brief midyear FastBridge assessment summary to the board once available.
No formal board action was taken on the enrollment figures; the information was delivered as part of the administrative report.
