District 84 mulls school report cards

Proposed

levy down

4 percent

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- The Independent School District 84 Board of Education spent most of its Thursday meeting discussing the Minnesota Department of Education report to taxpayers.

Data based from the 2002-2003 school year showed the district was above state average general fund expenditures in district and school level administration, career and technical instruction, student activities/athletics, student transportation and capital expenditures.

The district spent $9,276 per student compared to the state average of $8,450.

"To me, it's good news that we had money to spend over the state average, even without a voter approved referendum," Haugen said. "We're doing many things well, getting a lot out of our school."

Meanwhile, district property tax levels were well behind state averages.

In its 2004 elementary and high school report cards the school received three out of a possible five stars for meeting federal accountability requirements in reading and math.

Haugen conducted his own AYP (Adequate Learning Progress) comparison of the district with eight area districts of comparable or slightly larger size.

Although Sleepy Eye had the highest percentage of LEP (Limited English Proficiency) students at 25 percent, it had the highest overall math scores for all students and was second in reading for LEP students comparing five districts.

Reading scores for LEP students were second-highest among five districts. Reading scores for all students ranked sixth among nine districts.

Haugen praised the board for making choices over the past few years that helped the district reach high levels.

"We have some things to work on but there are a lot of good things here," Haugen said.

High school principal Elia Bruggeman said the block schedule saved the district money and helped boost scores.

Elementary principal Arla Dokter said teachers are doing a good job in the classroom by using their time wisely.

The board unanimously approved:

* Setting the proposed 2004 payable 2005 levy at the maximum amount. The proposed amount, $527,053.50 is $21,986.37 or four percent less than the 2003 payable 2004 levy. The actual levy amount will be acted on at a December board meeting.

* Resignations of paraprofessionals Patty Fernandez, Pedro Martinez and Kimberly Ecker and advisors Mary Maas and Maxine Remme.

* Hiring instructor Susan Pugh, .631 FTE, BA Step 5, $19,274.22; spec. ed. para Melissa Ramirez and ESL para Leticia Garcia, 6.5 hours/day, $8.66/hr.; Title I para Janet Haugen, returning from leave, 143 days/4 hrs./day, $10.66/hr; junior high football coach Craig Murphy, $1,826; Kris Bloedel, .5/hr. elementary overload,1st sem.; increased para times of .25 and .50 hr. for Kathy Ahlrich, Lori Ibberson, Sarah Griebel, Linda Braulick, Chris Deibele, Kelli Wells and Julie Ludewig.

For more information on school report cards, visit www.education.state.mn.us

Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.