District 84 OKs levy certification

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- The District 84 School Board unanimously approved its 2001 payable 2002 levy certification Thursday evening.

The action resulted from a motion made by Mark Beito, seconded by Don Domeier.

The net local tax levy of $542,832 is 52.49 percent less than last year's net local levy of $1,142,544. The new Residential Homestead Market Value Credit is not designated to school districts as with previous credits. It is allocated among local taxing jurisdictions (county, city and school district) in proportion to the final local tax rate).

Property taxes for District 84 have decreased since payable 1997 taxes. They were $2,028,000 payable 1997, $1,797,000 payable 1998, $1,504,000 payable 1999, and $1,163,000 payable 2000.

The board also learned:

* The new cosmetology class is being taught by New Ulm beauty shop owner Tina Stadick. After passing state exams, she is now a certified teacher.

The class studies bones and muscles of the body and skin, hair, foot and nail diseases. The class may be offered next semester if there is enough student interest.

Three are interested in attending cosmetology school after high school.

* The Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and School Readiness programs from instructor Sue Forstner. ECFE enrollment is 68 this year, down from 76 last year. The preschool census is 100 less than it was 10 years ago. School Readiness enrollment is 48, up from 44 last year.

* The Sleepy Eye Student Advisory Committee plans to raise $3,000 for the American Red Cross by selling buttons and blankets.

* Superintendent Jay Haugen was named to the Interstate Migrant Education Council, "a big policy-making group spending money on federal programs," Haugen said. He will attend the 50-member group's next meeting in Alaska next week.

* With the passage of an excess levy referendum this fall, students will have a full day of education during the 2002-2003 school year, according to Haugen. If the excess levy fails, students will not get a full day of education.

"We don't want to have another year with decisions based on funding rather than what is best for students," Haugen said. "I tried to make this point at the Souper Forum. I don't know if everybody understood it. I know our staff does because things don't go as smoothly this year as they did last year."

* Of the hiring of retired industrial arts teacher Dean Ristau as a technical tutor for construction trades class on an as needed basis, usually six hours per day at $12 per hour.

In other action, the board unanimously approved purchase and installation of a new $5,000 sound system at the football field and track on a motion by Doug Domeier, seconded by Alma Saenz. The system can also be used in the high school auditorium, is portable and can utilize several microphones.