School Board

The Orono School Board is a six-member body elected by resident voters. All board meetings are open to the public unless the Board enters a closed session to discuss personnel matters or pending litigation. Meetings are typically held in the District Office Assembly Room at 685 Old Crystal Bay Road North on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. The public is provided opportunities to address the Board through Public Comment, email and telephone communication. You may contact a School Board member directly (see contact information under each member's photo, below) or address the Board via: oronoschoolboard@orono.k12.mn.us

A History of Commitment

The Orono School District has a long tradition of honorable public service and strong leadership to the community and students. The six-member board functions at a high level and is aligned with national best practices. The Orono School Board was formed in 1949 by pillars in the communities the district serves. Strong leaders such as Russell Johnson from Independence and John Pillsbury, Jr. from Lake Minnetonka were pioneers in community service. Their belief in service and care for children has remained a hallmark of membership through 51 board members over 73 years of dedication to excellence in education. The role of a board member is bound by distinct laws, protocols, regulations, norms and best practice. Effective board members spend significant time listening, leading and engaging in the work of governance.

You many contact a School Board member directly or address the Board via: oronoschoolboard@orono.k12.mn.us

Watch School Board Meetings Live

Meetings will livestream automatically on the School Board YouTube channel at 7:00 p.m. on the designated meeting day.

Upcoming Board Meetings

2023-24 Meeting Information

Agendas, Minutes and Links to Recordings.

August 21, 2023 - Regular Business Meeting

September 11, 2023 - Regular Business Meeting

September 25, 2023 - Brief Meeting Followed by Work Session

October 9, 2023 - Regular Business Meeting

October 23, 2023 - Brief Meeting Followed by Work Session

November 13, 2023 - Regular Business Meeting

December 11, 2023 - Regular Business Meeting

January 8, 2024 - Regular Business Meeting (Organizational Meeting)

January 22, 2024 - Brief Meeting Followed by Work Session

February 12, 2024 - Regular Business Meeting

February 26, 2024 - Brief Meeting Followed by Work Session

March 11, 2024 - Regular Business Meeting

April 8, 2024 - Regular Business Meeting

April 22, 2024 - Brief Meeting Followed by Work Session

May 13, 2024 - Regular Business Meeting

June 10, 2024 - Regular Business Meeting

Meetings & Communication

The Orono School Board values engagement with families and the community. There are multiple ways to connect with the Board.

Contact the Board

School Board Committee Meetings

2023-2024

Policy Committee

September 5, 2023: Meeting Agenda | Meeting Summary

September 13, 2023: Meeting Agenda | Meeting Summary

Facilities & Finance Committee

August 23, 2023: Meeting Agenda | Meeting Summary

September 13, 2023: Meeting Agenda | Meeting Summary

September 20, 2023: Meeting Agenda | Meeting Summary

For committee meeting information from 2022-23, please visit the Committee Meeting Archive webpage.

In-Person Meetings

School Board meetings are typically held in the District Office Assembly Room at 685 Old Crystal Bay Road North in Orono (unless otherwise noted) on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. All board meetings are open to the public unless the board enters a closed session to discuss personnel matters or pending litigation. Work sessions are typically scheduled for the second meeting of the month and are open to the public.

Watch Meetings Live on YouTube

Public Comment Sessions

Public Comment session - first Board meeting of each month

A public comment session is scheduled for the first Board meeting of each month. This will begin at 7 p.m. and precede the regular Board meeting. To participate, you must complete the Public Comment registration form, open from 9 a.m. the Friday before the Board meeting through 12 p.m. (noon) the Monday of the Board meeting. Please visit the Public Comments webpage to learn more.

Livestreaming of the School Board regular business agenda will begin at 7 p.m. on all meeting dates.

Public Comment registration form

Governance, Policies, Elections, Orono Action

Governance Role

The School Board focuses on policy decisions rather than on operational issues. It adopts policies that provide general principles for guiding the management of the School District. The administration develops regulations that specifically support the School Board’s policies. Policies can only be adopted by the School Board, while regulations do not require School Board approval to be implemented.

As the elected governing body of the Orono School District the School Board is responsible to:

Establish policy. The administration implements policy and supervises school operations.
Employ and evaluate the Superintendent. The School Board is responsible for hiring, then evaluating, the chief administrator who oversees all operations of the School District.
Establish and approve the annual budget.
Negotiate and approve contracts with unions that represent our employees
Set the annual local school levy.
Work with the administration to determine the District’s educational goals.
Interpret the needs of the community regarding the educational program.
Authorize development and revision of curriculum and student services.
Approve expenditures and otherwise ensure that proper facilities and equipment are available to support teaching and learning in Orono Public Schools.
Approve appointment of staff members as well as resignations, terminations and leaves of absence.

Policies

Terms & Elections

Members are elected to four-year overlapping terms, with elections held every two years. At the end of a four-year term, members may run for re-election to successive terms. Voting takes place at general elections in November, and terms begin the first Monday in January thereafter. If a vacancy occurs in the middle of a term, the School Board names an appointee to serve until the next district election.

2022 School Board ELECTION: Candidates & Results