Superintendent Elstad Announces Retirement from Public Education

Dear families, For nearly eight years, I have dedicated myself to making our school district and the community of Owatonna a better place.

Throughout this time, I have had the privilege of leading a team who successfully navigated a pandemic and developed a growing online learning platform. I have worked hard to nurture business and community partnerships that resulted in updated facilities, including a beautiful new high school.

In collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and Riverland College, we created the Owatonna Opportunity Scholarship initiative that supports my personal mission to make sure all our graduates are enlisted, enrolled or employed.

To do this work, I leaned on a supportive school board who stood by me and our team through every challenge and success and for that, I am eternally grateful.

In addition, I have been blessed to serve with an amazing staff who supported me and our mission to inspire excellence for every learner, every day.

With that being said, it was after much thought and careful consideration that I have decided to write the next chapter of my life and retire from an educational career of 32 years at the end of this school year on June 30.

My wife Gina and I have made our home in Owatonna for nearly 25 years, and we will continue to do so. Although my role will be changing, I will continue to be this school district and community’s biggest cheerleader.

Thank you for your continued partnership!

Jeffrey S. Elstad

Superintendent