Owatonna board renews Minnesota State High School League membership after public debate on transgender participation

The Owatonna Public School District Board of Education voted 6–1 on May 27 to renew its annual membership in the Minnesota State High School League, a move board members said preserves competitive and co‑curricular opportunities for roughly 2,800 students.

Two residents used the meeting’s public forum to urge the board to withhold membership because of MSHSL rules that allow transgender students to participate on teams that align with their gender identity. Tina Schafer, introduced by the chair as a resident of the district, said, “By allowing biological boys to compete in girls sports, this is endangering our girls,” and warned of injuries, lost scholarships and records.

Sandy Hardy Hagen told the board she believed physiological differences give males an unfair advantage and urged the board to “vote no” to protect girls’ athletics.

Board members discussed the public comments during the agenda. Board member Ron said he had researched the issue and described the legal context: “The reason why the policy exists the way it does today is because of a law that was passed in Minnesota called the Minnesota Human Rights Act,” and he noted a court‑of‑appeals decision interpreting that statute. He told residents that, in his view, legislative change would be required to alter MSHSL policy.

Another member, Elizabeth, said she opposed the policy on principle and that she planned to vote no: “based on principle only, I am going to vote no on this, because I know it's going to pass.”

Superintendent Tim Elstad and other board members said renewing MSHSL membership was necessary to avoid denying students access to contests in athletics, music and the arts. Elstad and a board member also warned that failing to renew could expose the district to legal challenges and expense.

On the motion to approve the 2025–26 MSHSL membership resolution, the board recorded the following roll‑call: Ron — Aye; Andrea — Aye; Jolene — Aye; Laurie — Aye; Mark — Aye; Elizabeth — Nay; Chair (recorded as “I”) — Aye. The motion passed, 6–1.

Why it matters: Board members said membership is the mechanism that allows students from Owatonna to compete in state contests administered by MSHSL. Several members urged residents with policy objections to pursue changes through the state legislature and noted that the district’s options are constrained by Minnesota law and MSHSL rules.

The board did not adopt any local policy altering MSHSL eligibility rules; the vote renewed participation in the statewide league for another year.