Dist. 84 looks at add-backs

SLEEPY EYE -- The Sleepy Eye Public School Board discussed prioritizing positions and classes Thursday that could be added back to the 2003-2004 school year if funding becomes available.

Items on the add-back list and estimated costs include a dean of students ($6,000), splitting 9th grade into three sections ($24,000), additional technology support time ($6,000), pre-test basic skills courses ($10,000), maintaining music programs ($4,500), additional student supervision ($8,000), migrant outreach worker ($10,000), additional bi-lingual paraprofessionals ($20,000), supplemental kindergarten teachers ($5,000) and an additional junior high paraprofessional ($8,000).

Board members were given lists to take home. They will put their rankings on the add-backs and present their lists at the June 12 board meeting.

The board also:

* Heard from former board chairman Reynold Dittbenner during the Open Forum. Dittbenner encouraged the board and school staff to participate in the Network Brown County project.

Dittbenner talked about a variety of vending machine-size milk products that could be sold in the school.

* Approved hiring Aaron Nesvold as a new math teacher and junior high basketball coach. Nesvold and other job candidates taught students in actual classroom settings before he was selected.

"I think we'll make that part of the hiring process now. It worked well," Haugen said.

* Accepted the resignation of high school boys' varsity basketball coach Scott Hadley.

* Approved a senior class trip to Hawaii. Haugen said the trip will include visits to Pearl Harbor Naval Station, the USS Missouri and Arizona memorial, a plantation, volcano and a Polynesian cultural center.

* Approved allotting student activity fees over and above administration costs for three years to the Sleepy Eye Hockey Association. The association will use the money to purchase new hockey unforms.