Superintendent outlines 2026 state of the Owatonna Public School District

Tammy Champa, superintendent of Owatonna Public Schools, opened the district—s 2026 state-of-the-district presentation and summarized the district—s mission, vision and strategic directions.

Champa said the district serves 5,248 students across 10 buildings and described the district as the community—s third-largest employer. "Excluding our casual workers, substitutes, and coaches, we employ 766 employees," she said, and noted that 41 languages are spoken by students across the district.

Champa highlighted recent survey results and student engagement structures. She said middle-school survey responses showed 97% of students reported they try their best at school and 91% said teachers explain things in ways they understand; high-school respondents reported 90% have opportunities to explore interests and 95% feel treated with respect. The district convenes quarterly student advisory groups at the middle school, high school and the area learning center to gather feedback.

Programs and services detailed in the presentation include a new American Indian funding allocation, the Owatonna Promise and an Owatonna Learning Center that currently enrolls 84 students. Champa said special services support 1,141 students (22% of enrollment) and the district employs 13 staff for multilingual programs, serving 446 multilingual students (8.7% of enrollment). The district also reported 604 students enrolled in Owatonna Online; 60% of those students are non-residents and 81% are at the secondary level.

Champa credited staff and community partners for supporting these programs and described ongoing community engagement efforts such as monthly "coffee and conversation" events, leadership breakfasts and public engagement series.

The presentation closed with an invitation for follow-up questions and an emphasis on continuing the district—s strategic work in literacy, equity, teaching quality and safety.