Owatonna School Board Elects New Vice Chair in Organizational Transition
- Meeting Overview:
The Owatonna School Board held its organizational meeting, resulting in significant officer changes to facilitate an orderly transition due to the upcoming election year. Tim Jensen was elected as the new vice chair, and Andrea Van Gelder was appointed as clerk after a contested vote.
During the meeting, the election of board officers was a central focus. Mark Sebring was re-elected as chairperson without opposition, continuing his leadership into 2026. However, the vice chair position saw a notable change, with Tim Jensen stepping into the role following his nomination. This shift aligns with the board’s strategy to prepare for future transitions by bringing new members into leadership positions.
A point of contention arose during the selection of the board clerk. Elizabeth Hedlund nominated herself for the role, citing her three-year tenure on the board and previous interest in the position. However, after a voice vote, Andrea Van Gelder was elected to the position.
The board also approved routine agenda items, including the designation of Julie Sullivan as the representative for Title One funding. The Otana People’s Press was reaffirmed as the official district newspaper, and Old National Bank and PTMA Financial were designated as depositories for school district revenues. Additionally, the board approved a modest increase in board member compensation.
Jeff Elstad
School Board Officials:
Mark Sebring, Chair, Lori Weisenburger, Vice Chair, Tim Jensen, Clerk, Jolayne Mohs, Treasurer, Elizabeth Hedlund, Ron Kubicek, Andrea Van Gelder
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
01/06/2026
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Recording Published:
01/06/2026
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Duration:
15 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Minnesota
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County:
Steele County
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Towns:
Aurora Township, Clinton Falls Township, Deerfield Township, Havana Township, Lemond Township, Meriden Township, Merton Township, Owatonna, Owatonna Township, Somerset Township
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