Owatonna Public Schools

By Superintendent Tammy Champa

Every community has people who quietly make a difference.

They're the ones who volunteer, coach youth sports, support local businesses, cheer from the stands at school events, and believe deeply in creating opportunities for the next generation.

Some of those same people become school board members.

As superintendent of Owatonna Public Schools, I've had the privilege of working alongside incredibly talented and dedicated board members who share their time—not because it's easy, but because they believe our students deserve the very best. They understand that strong public schools are one of the greatest investments a community can make, and they're willing to roll up their sleeves to provide thoughtful governance that helps shape the future of our schools.

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How to file to be a school board candidate:

• Filing period: July 14-July 28, 2026
• Submit an Affidavit of Candidacy to Sarah Hoffman in the superintendent's office at the District Office, 333 East School Street
• Remember to bring a photo ID when filing as well as the $2 filing fee
• Deadline to file: 5:00 pm on Tuesday, July 28

Find more information about running for school board on the district website.

Owatonna Public Schools is seeking community members to serve on the district's Budget Advisory Council for the 2026-2027 school year.

The district is looking for up to 20 members representing a variety of perspectives, including parents, district residents, high school students, business representatives, and employee bargaining groups.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. at the District Office on September 9, November 18, January 13, March 10, and May 19.

Community members interested in serving are encouraged to visit this webpage and apply online. For questions, contact Mark Stott, Director of Finance & Operations, at 507-444-8605 or mstotts@isd761.org.

The Owatonna High School Activities Department has several changes to be aware of for 2026-27.

SCHEDULES & GAME TICKETING:

• Current schedules can be found on Bound. This is replacing Big9.org.
• To see a specific schedule click on activities, select the activity you want to view. Make sure you are in the correct school year. Under the Varsity dropdown, select which level you want to view. Once the level is selected, click schedule to print a schedule or choose notifications (postponements/cancellations, etc.)
• To receive notifications, make sure you are on the correct school year (26-27), have the correct activity selected, select the correct team level (Varsity, JV, etc.), click the notification tab and enter requested information and save.
• To view daily, weekly or monthly calendar - click on calendar.
• To view multiple activity levels (ie all girls soccer levels of V, JV & 9th), go to calendar, click filter button, select specific activities, click list or calendar view.
• All game ticketing will be through Bound - go to owatonnaactivities.com and click on the large blue box that says “Bound” OR download the Bound app. All Big 9 schools are using Bound for ticketing.
• Individual game tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students K-12 and seniors 62+ who do not live in our district.
• Activity and senior passes will NOT be accepted for the winter musical.
• There will be admission charged for spring activities (track, softball, baseball and boys/girls lacrosse).
• Consider purchasing an activity pass for the 26-27 year.

• Fall registration for activities/athletics opens July 20 at owatonna.affinety.com/activities/welcome
• Families need to create a new login to register for OHS and OMS activities. Learn how to create a parent account and connect students.
• Learn how to register for activities.
• Registration fees for 2026-27 are as follows:
  • High school sports - $225; $113 if qualify for educational benefits
  • High school fine arts activities - $140; $70 if qualify for educational benefits
  • Middle school sports - $190; $120 if qualify for educational benefits
• The application for educational benefits is required yearly.
• Family max for high school sports and activities is $675 (not including Clay Target or OMS activities).
• OHS Fall Parent/Athlete meeting is Monday, August 17, at 6pm in the OHS auditorium. Team breakout sessions will follow.
• OMS Fall Parent/Athlete meeting is Tuesday, August 18, at 6pm in the OMS cafeteria.

The school district Transportation Advisory Committee's purpose is to serve as an advisory committee that ensures that student transportation service is safe.

The committee consists of the superintendent, a representative from Owatonna Bus Company, city/police representatives, staff members, and parents representing elementary and secondary school sites.

2026-2027 meetings are at 5:30pm on the following dates: September 21, November 16, January 19, March 15 and May 17.

If you are interested in joining the committee, please complete this application by September 1.

This November, Minnesota voters will consider a constitutional amendment related to the Permanent School Fund, a resource that has supported public education since Minnesota became a state in 1858.

Here are a few key facts:

• The Permanent School Fund already exists and currently supports public schools throughout Minnesota.
• The fund has grown to more than $2.3 billion through revenue generated from school trust lands and investment earnings.
• The proposed amendment does not raise property taxes, income taxes, sales taxes, or any other tax.
• The recommendation came from a nonpartisan legislative task force that unanimously recommended modernizing the distribution formula.
• The proposal later received strong bipartisan support from the Minnesota Legislature.
• If approved by voters, the amendment would increase support for public schools while preserving the long-term strength of the fund.

To learn more about the Permanent School Fund amendment, including frequently asked questions, background information, and voter resources, visit www.mnPSFamendment.org.

As always, community members are encouraged to become informed and participate in the election process.

OPS Nutrition Services is again offering free summer meals to all children and teens ages 1-18 years old. The program runs Monday-Thursday of each week, through August 6. Breakfast is served from 8-8:30am, and lunch is served from 12:15-12:45pm. No registration is needed. View menus.

Locations are:

• Owatonna Education Center, 338 East Main Street (enter Door 1 on Broadway)
• McKinley Elementary, 1050 22nd St NE
• Owatonna Middle School, 500 15th Street NE

Watch the School Board business meeting and past meetings on YouTube. Find agendas and other information on the district website.

Upcoming School Board meetings:

• Monday, August 10 at 5:30pm - School Board Work Session - District Office, 333 East School Street
• Monday, August 24 at 5:15pm - Public Hearing on Consideration and Approval of Property Tax Abatement - Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle
• Monday, August 24 at 5:30pm - School Board Business Meeting - Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle

Fourteen Owatonna High School students recently returned from an unforgettable adventure through Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands! From practicing their Spanish with local Ecuadorians to experiencing the incredible culture, students gained knowledge and memories that will last a lifetime. Exploring the untouched natural beauty and unique wildlife of the Galápagos made this truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Congratulations to the Owatonna Clay Target Team, as they finished 17th out of 40 teams at the MN State High School League Clay Target State Tournament! Jackson Davis, Mason Ihrke and Victoria Koziolek competed at the USA High School Clay Target League Nationals. Mason and Jackson made it to the final round.

Students and their dads, grandpas, and special grown-ups spent the evening building, painting, and making memories together at the Daddy & Me Build and Paint class. It was amazing to see all the creativity, teamwork, and proud smiles as each toolbox came to life!

Scott Noet, Owatonna Middle School social studies teacher shown on the right of the photo, participated in an experiential professional development opportunity for teachers to tour historical sites across Europe to transform their understanding of the Holocaust. A quote from Mr. Noet - "...the chance to view the actual diary of Ilya Gerber written while in the Kovno ghetto was an unexpectedly intense experience in that the colored pencil hearts and initials of his crush scribed in the margins, any one of the kids in my classes could have a notebook that looks and in some ways reads like it. The ups and downs of teen angst and relationships, school, etc. There is no question that as a result of this seminar, the theme of young people as reliable witnesses to history will become an even larger theme in my classes."

Twenty-nine students from Owatonna, Blooming Prairie and Medford are spending the week at Legionville, all sponsored by American Legion Post 77 in Owatonna. Legionville Safety Camp in Brainerd is Minnesota's school patrol training center. Attendees learn crossing and bus safety, first aid, and other safety skills in conjunction with the MN State Patrol.

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Owatonna Public Schools is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for all students and staff and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, in its programs and activities, as required by Title IX and MN Human Rights Act (MHRA). This includes prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based violence, and unequal access to extracurricular activities.

Any concerns related to Title IX should be reported to Chris Picha, Director of Human Resources & Title IX Coordinator, at 507-444-8602 or cpicha@isd761.org.

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