SE School Board plans $333,000 cut

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Projecting the need to cut a third of a million dollars from the 2001-02 Sleepy Eye school budget, a recent work session produced a laundry list of potential spending cuts.

Superintendent Jay Haugen blamed the need for cuts on declining enrollment and what he called an "unacceptable" level of state education funding.

"We've got to do something new," Haugen said.

Budget-cutting options that will be considered by the board include shortening the school day block schedule by eliminating "skinnies"-- shorter classes that help fill the school day and ease lunch hour management.

The move would save the district $150,000 per year, according to Haugen.

"We'll cut things out that don't work very well," Haugen said.

All full-time teachers would teach three, two-hour blocks each day, creating the savings, according to Haugen.

Under one proposal, classes would start at 8:45 a.m., 30 minutes later than they do now. School would still end at the same time, 3:10 p.m.

Another option is to start classes earlier in the morning like some Twin Cities schools do, but Haugen is against that idea.

"If kids get out early in the afternoon, they are more likely to get in trouble with no place to go," Haugen said. "With a later start, it could eliminate kids getting on the school bus in the dark and keep them from having to get up so early."

Haugen is also interested in a plan where the school offers day care for school-age children in gyms and/or classrooms for a fee, before and after school, if there is a need.

"We tried the program before but not many people made use of it," Haugen said. "Maybe it would work now."

Eliminating some custodial and paraprofessional positions would save the district $50,000.

A custodian who is retiring would not be replaced, but no other custodians would be cut, under a proposal.

The elimination of some paraprofessional positions would require teachers to instruct 25-minute elementary and secondary art, physical education and music classes that are now taught by paraprofessionals.

Other suggested cuts include saving $45,000 by implementing an elementary scheduling change, a $35,000 savings with one less elementary classroom, reducing the work time of the superintendent and finance director for a $10,000 savings for each position, reducing the wrestling program for an $8,000 savings and offering free bus transportation only on mandated rural routes.

Haugen said in-town bus routes may still be available to students for a fee.

"We get no funding for in-town routes now," Haugen said. "Maybe we can get more transportation money in the future."

Other programs on the chopping block include family facilitators that work with students and parents and wood shop.

Veteran wood shop teacher Dean Ristau will retire at the end of the current school year. He and his classes would not be replaced, under one proposal.

Haugen said district enrollment numbers are projected to be lower in the near future.

Two years ago, enrollment was 708. Next year, it is projected to be 620. The year after that, under 600.

"It's a significant reduction for us," Haugen said. "We lost some families last spring. More moved out of town last November and December. We will graduate 60 to 70 kids next spring. We'll get 35-40 new students next fall. When we lose pupils, we lose funding for everything."

Haugen spoke at the Legislature last Thursday. He will spend several days there this week.

One of Haugen's legislative goals is promoting three-year enrollment averaging for school districts with declining enrollment.

If that was done, budget cuts could be eased, according to Haugen.

Another priority is special education funding, he said.

Haugen said the district budget would be balanced if special education was funded properly by the state.

"They always promised special education would be fully funded but it never is," Haugen said. "We have to use regular education funds for special education."

Haugen said educational spending in Minnesota is now 25th in the country, down 21 spots from several years ago.

The drop bothers him.

"We'll be reaping the results 20 years down the road," Haugen said. "Is this the kind of legacy to leave the younger generation? We need more than the inflationary three or four percent increase per year."

Haugen said Gov. Ventura's claims that state school districts got a 20 percent funding increase or $1.3 billion last year and that the new money went to education are not true.

"None of the 20 percent increase went to education, it all went to property tax relief," Haugen said.

Monday morning, board members will meet with administrators and teachers to discuss cuts and other issues for 25 minutes before school.

"We've got to talk a lot together," Haugen said.

The next regular Sleepy Eye School Board meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the elementary library. Haugen said cuts will be on the agenda.

All interested people are invited to Haugen's "Souper Supper" at 6 p.m., Feb. 20 in the school cafeteria. The school budget will be discussed after supper.

Haugen said he will provide 15-bean soup free to all comers.