SE board mulls alternative school, handbook changes

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- The Sleepy Eye Public School Board discussed a variety of issues Thursday night including the Riverbend Alternative Learning Center, the high school handbook and substitute salaries.

Some board members voiced concern about why students are leaving their school in favor of the Alternative Learning Center.

"I heard some students heard that we were closing our campus this fall so they dropped out of summer school, thinking they could go to the alternative school," said board member Don Domeier.

"My goodness, how do we keep anybody here?" asked board member Mark Beito. "Students can fail a couple classes here, make them up in New Ulm and graduate. They can drive to school, smoke 'em if they got 'em (cigarettes) and go to school only four days a week. (Friday school is optional at Riverbend).

"I suppose they'll field a football team there this fall," Beito joked.

Some board members talked about the possibility of offering an alternative school in Sleepy Eye as was done years ago in downtown Sleepy Eye.

Elementary Principal Arla Dokter said she didn't think the school district had the money to create its own alternative school.

Board member Michal Anderson-Lowther said she learned that some alternative school students have more of a feeling of belonging to the alternative school than they do in the Sleepy Eye Public School.

She said it was because of the way alternative school teachers relate to students.

Sleepy Eye Superintendent Jay Haugen said he will contact the alternative school about sending a representative to the next school board meeting (Aug. 10) to answer questions.

In other board action:

* Several high school handbook provisions were removed from the next edition.

Students kicked out of class three times will no longer be dis-enrolled from the class. High School Principal Elia Bruggeman questioned the legality of the rule and got backing for Haugen.

Anderson-Lowther disagreed but the motion to strike the wording was approved.

"We need to equip teachers so they can deal with problem students," Anderson-Lowther said.

A provision allowing teachers to reduce student grades by three percent for unexcused absences was also removed from the handbook.

Bruggeman said an addition to the handbook, also approved, was requested by the Sleepy Eye Hockey Association, which sponsors the high school hockey team. It will require parents of players to donate work hours to the hockey association.

* The board upped substitute teacher salaries from $70 per day and $85 for over 20 days to $90 per day no matter how many days of service.

Don Domeier said he was told by a substitute teacher that she no longer would come to Sleepy Eye unless the pay was raised.

Principals agreed it was tough to find substitute teachers.

* Two hires were approved. Mary Kendall will be a full-time counselor at St. Mary's School and a second counselor at the Public School at MA+30 Step 2 for a total salary of $33,054. Paulette Grausam will be a full-time instructor at BA+15 for a total salary of $29,076.

* The school still has several part-time teaching positions to fill. Elementary music and art positions are open while high school math, English and technology slots are unfilled.

* The board will meet with certified staff at 7:30 p.m. August 3 to discuss the Profile of Learning.

* The next board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m., August 10.