District 84 hears audit report

Goede resigns

as girls' hoops

coach

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Bob Qualset of Peterson and Co. PA of Mankato presented the fiscal year 2002-2003 audit report to the Sleepy Eye Public School Board on Thursday.

Qualset told the board that the school district was in "excellent financial condition" with a general fund balance of $1,362,134 and a total fund balance of $1,615,683 as of June 30, 2003.

Peterson praised the district for having the lowest-cost school meals of any district he works for and for saving taxpayers about $80,000 when it refinanced bonds when they were at the bottom of the market.

The board approved the audit report on a motion by Doug Domeier, second by Don Domeier.

The board also:

* Approved the resignation of girls' varsity basketball coach Bradd Goede, motion by Doug Domeier, second by Mark Beito. Goede resigned for personal reasons, the board was told.

* Learned that Superintendent Arla Dokter and School Board Chairperson Marcia Marti met with Sleepy Eye City Manager Mark Kober regarding the school's new outdoor electronic sign and the issue of students parking in residential areas around the campus.

The meeting was in response to a resident living near the school who complained about the new sign and parking issue. Kober said the City of Sleepy Eye issued a permit for the school to erect the sign. School officials said the parking issue should resolve itself when snow falls.

* Learned that Agriculture Plot survey results were discussed at the October safety/facility meeting. Mr. Lanoue, the Sleepy Eye Future Farmers of America Advisor expressed desire to maintain the ag plot, on school ground or on other donated land for class experience.

It was mentioned that the local elevator donates fertilizer and herbicide for the plot and local farmers donate their time and seed to plant the acreage.

Lanoue brought up the idea of creating a corn maze to be part of the annual Corn Day celebration. Other uses for the ag plot include a soccer field, fine arts center, migrant/pre-school center and tennis courts.

* Learned that safety/facility committee discussed installing 8 motion-sensitive cameras, a monitor and a key card system for areas not well-monitored like hallways in the band and choir area and elementary gym.

Eight cameras would cost about $12,000 installed. The system could be expanded to 16 cameras. The district has $14,400 remaining in its Safe Schools levy.

* Tabled the transportation report, substitute teacher pay, snow removal recommendation and eligible transported student numbers.