COFFEE & CONVERSATION: Superintendent talks cell phone policy, alternate school calendars

The Owatonna Public Schools district office hosted its final session of Coffee and Conversation last week.

Superintendent Jeff Elstad met with community members Friday, May 17, for this school year’s final session of Coffee and Conversation, discussing topics including the impact of recent legislation on student cell phone use, summer work projects in the district and the pros and cons of alternative school calendars.

Held roughly once a month, Coffee and Conversation gives the public an opportunity to meet with the superintendent in an informal setting and chat about the goings-on in the district.

Starting in the fall, meetings will move to the new district office, located on the grounds of the former Owatonna High School, continues on schedule. The district intends to sell the current office, located on Bridge Street.

Elstad reiterated that the district’s IT systems will be offline from June 26 to July 10 while they move to the new office, but that staff will be able to work remotely during that time.

Cell phone policy

Last week, Gov. Tim Walz signed an omnibus education policy bill into law which included a requirement that school districts must adopt a policy on students’ cell phone use in school by March 15, 2025.

Elstad noted Owatonna Middle School already requires students to put their cell phones away during the school day.

“That has gone marvelously, and I would contest that our kids are in a much better place at the middle school, particularly with mental health because of that,” he said.

OHS has taken some steps in the same direction, restricting cell phone use during class. While cell phone ownership is less prevalent at the elementary level, Elstad said educators have seen up uptick in fourth and fifth graders having phones.

Elstad said the success of school cell phone policies depends heavily on support from parents.

“This is going to be a revolution, because we’ve become so dependent on small screens. In order for us to walk through this revolution together, there’s going to have to be a real partnership about the right time and the right place,” he said.

Tracy Ackman-Shaw, a parent in attendance, advocated for exceptions to a hard line policy, noting her son uses his phone in class to help with his hearing loss.

“I want you to also think of how cell phones are helping as a tool,” she said.

Elstad assured her the district would continue to accommodate students with medical needs, such as those whose insulin patches or heart monitors are linked to their cell phones.

Alternative calendars

Alternative school calendars were also a major topic of discussion, with Elstad stressing that the district has begun looking at what a four-day school week looks like, but has no plans to implement it at this time.

“We don’t have any intentions, but it is something we need to study. Within that study, there’s a lot of input that would be gathered, first of all with our students and with our families, and then certainly with our staff,” he said.

Elstad and attendees discussed the pros and cons of a four-day week. In addition to building some relief into students’ busy schedules, a shorter week would provide more professional development time for staff. However, it would require longer school days. It could also pose challenges to families who rely on school meals and those that would struggle to find childcare on off-days.

Bonnie Crass, another parent in attendance, brought up the concept of year-round schooling, which her family experienced in North Carolina. Rather than a long summer vacation, year-round schools take smaller breaks throughout the year.

Elstad said he’d explored a similar concept shortly after he became superintendent in 2017. Putting the issue to staff members, he found their opinions split down the middle, for and against.

“Whatever solution you come up with has to fit the community,” he said.

Other updates

Elstad shared that enrollment continues to outperform projections, with a recent report putting the number of students in the district at 5,172.

He also noted Moorhead Public Schools has joined Owatonna Online, allowing its students to study through the program while graduating and participating in activities in Moorhead. The district already has similar agreements in place with Northfield and Albert Lea. By attracting enrollment from around the state, the program has grown into a financial boon for the district.

“We are always seeking ways to pull revenue into our district to take that burden away from our taxpayers,” said Elstad.

Elstad also announced that OHS has reported the highest number of spring activities ever this year, an uptick he attributed to the new school building.