Cuts hit Sleepy Eye schools hard

Would lose $217 per pupil in 2005

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

BROWN COUNTY -- The latest Minnesota school revenue cuts for 2004 and 2005 hit District 84 particularly hard.

Compared to 2003 school revenue levels, Sleepy Eye Public Schools would lose $50,770 or $84 per pupil in 2004 and $125,902 or $217 per pupil in 2005, according to figures released by the non-partisan House Research Department.

Superintendent Jay Haugen said the adopted state budget hurt school districts with large and increasing numbers of disadvantaged students. The Sleepy Eye District has an increasing percentage of students using free and reduced-cost lunches, English as a Second Language (ESL) programs and others with special needs, Haugen added.

"Funding really wasn't frozen for everybody," Haugen said. "Funding hit districts disproportionately. We tried to get legislators to understand this when they said they weren't going to hit classrooms with cuts. Basically, they (legislators) put their head in the sand and pretended we don't have an increasing number of disadvantaged students."

Conversely, Springfield Public Schools, which cut more than $400,000 from its 2004 budget several months ago, by combining some staff positions and cutting in many areas, will get $13,230 more or $21 per pupil in school revenue for 2004. In 2005, Springfield would see a $5,607 cut or $9 per pupil revenue cut.

Comfrey would get a $5,383 gain or $33 per pupil in 2004. In 2005, Comfrey would get $7,343 less revenue or 46 per pupil.

Red Rock Central would see a $27,556 cut or $54 per pupil in 2004 and $201,122 or $410 per pupil in 2005. Red Rock district voters approved a $950 per pupil excess levy referendum that will begin in 2005.

"Knock on wood," said Red Rock Central Supt. Dr. John Brennan. "We've got a few new students coming in next fall that should make the 2004 cut a wash."

Other area districts, their 2004 and 2005 gains/losses; per pupil amounts:

Nicollet, +$10,711 +$41; +$45 +$0; St. Peter, -$38,567 -$21; -$132,178 -$73; Wabasso, +$919 +$2; -$10,622 -$72; Butterfield, -$855 -$4; -$18.019 -$90; Madelia, +$3,870 +$6; -$61,142 -$105; St. James, -$15,627 -$13; -$110,027 -$89; Lake Crystal-Wellcome Mem., -$23,048; $74,509 -$86; Sibley East, -$40,703 -$32; -$160,238 -$126; GFW, -$8,617 -$9; $76,199 -$83; Cedar Mountain, -$18,082 -$43; $34,954 -$91; Redwood Falls, -$25,473 -$18; -$81,625 -$58; Westbrook-Walnut Grove, $322,967 -$22; $53,140 -$110.