Mr. Jeff Elstad has been the Owatonna superintendent for eight years. He started the position in June 2017, and he will retire at the end of the school year. Elstad has completed 32 years as a public educator, eight years as a teacher and 24 years as an administrator.

Mr. Elstad said, “Being a superintendent in Owatonna has been the honor of my life. Being able to serve the community that I have lived in for 25 years and raising my four children here has been simply amazing.”

Many years of experience and training led to Elstad earning this position previous to taking the superintendent position in Owatonna. 

Mr. Elstad said, “The most rewarding part of this job is getting the opportunity to build a system that supports our students and staff. I will forever remember the first days of school. I got to watch kindergarteners walk into our schools full of energy and excitement for what lay ahead… Those are the kinds of things that fill my heart with such joy and gratitude.”

Elstad is excited about his next chapter in life, but sad about leaving the people in this one behind. He said they “filled his cup” every day.

Mr. Elstad said, “I will still be Owatonna’s number one fan and will always wear my blue and silver with pride.”