Forum highlights

opposition to

Ventura's budget

for education

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Independent School District 84 Superintendent Jay Haugen looked out his office window Monday morning and sighed.

"I just wish it would stop snowing," Haugen said.

Several hours earlier, he had decided to close school for the day, negating an earlier decision to start two hours late.

Haugen's mood improved when asked about the public forum on state education funding Saturday at the Redwood Area Community Center.

"It was just great. I wanted to bottle it," Haugen said about the event that drew 200 students, teachers, administrators, school board members and concerned residents from area school districts.

Area legislators Dennis Frederickson and James Clark, both of New Ulm, listened to people voice their concern over Gov. Ventura's proposed educational budget funding that includes only small increases over the next two years.

Two Sleepy Eye sophomores, Billy Jarvis and Chris Haugen, both members of the section runner-up Mock Trial team, told forum participants about their concern with the difficulty of getting the things they need out of schools.

Under Ventura's proposed budget, Minnesota's per pupil spending, now 20th in the nation, would drop to 25th. It was fourth 15 years ago, according to Jay Haugen.

"While there are billion dollar surpluses and tax rebates, schools all over the state are making big spending cuts," Haugen said. "We can be average, but I don't think it's Minnesotan. A legacy of being average won't attract business and industry."

Haugen is tired of Ventura making disparaging remarks about education funding like calling it a "bottomless money pit."

Education funding crisis rallies at the Capitol are among Haugen's recourse options.

Haugen spent several days at the Legislature last month and attended at a Capitol rally. He also distributed a letter about the funding issue to media and legislators. Another rally is scheduled for March 27.

Clark and Frederickson echoed the comments about a statewide educational funding crisis that must be averted.

Frederickson has received many e-mails, phone calls and letters on the importance of more educational funding.

He encouraged people to send letters, e-mail and call the governor's office about the funding issues.

Frederickson doubts Ventura's educational funding proposal will pass the Senate.

"I don't think it would get any votes if it was on the floor today," Frederickson said Monday. "Not even from suburban senators."

Frederickson said districts should not expect more funding next year because a two-year state budget will be passed this year.

"Districts should leave some reserve money to help them manage their budgets," Frederickson said.

Last week in St. Paul, Ventura gave his support to two bills that would prohibit school boards from agreeing to teacher contracts that would exceed anticipated revenues.

Some school boards sign contracts they can't afford, then ask the Legislature for more money, Ventura said.

Meanwhile, back in Sleepy Eye, the second Souper Forum is scheduled for Thursday in the cafeteria. Soup will be served at 6 p.m. followed by a discussion at 7 p.m.

After voting to not send students to the Cottonwood River Technical Center next fall, the district is trying to create vocational classes under its own roof in order to save money.

Haugen said former Sleepy Eye Public School industrial arts teacher Conrad Mattson is trying to raise $10,000 to create a computer-aided drafting lab in the school.

The district plans to hire a new industrial arts teacher to replace Dean Ristau, who will retire this spring.

High School Principal Elia Bruggeman said she is working with Minnesota West Technical College, Norwood Promotional Products Inc., Sleepy Eye Community Hospital and Sleepy Eye Ambulance Service in hopes of creating industrial arts, medical and graphics programs that could include college credits.

A budget work session is set for 2:30 p.m., March 22 in the cafeteria.

The next District 84 School Board meeting will be 7:30 p.m., April 19.