SLEEPY EYE – Sleepy Eye Public School Superintendent John Cselovszki told the school board Wednesday that he recently met with Sleepy Eye Economic Development Authority (EDA) Director Kurk Kramer plus Sleepy Eye Care Center and Haala Industries leaders about on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities for students.

Cselovszki said future OJT opportunities include Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and vocational welding certification with hands-on methods of teaching skills, knowledge and competencies needed for employees to perform specific jobs needed to filled locally.

He said that Wednesday’s Bike/Walk to School Day was postponed to Friday, May 10.

The board unanimously approved action items including the resignation/retirement of 5th-grade teacher Susan Himmelman as of May 24 after more than three decades of teaching in Sleepy Eye.

Contracts approved included a three-year environmental consulting agreement with Harbo Consulting for $10,100 a year and a five-year athletic equipment agreement with Nike (BSN Sports). The school will get $12,500 in rebates over five years, motion by Joleen Dittbenner, seconded by Bryan Sellner.

Donations of $500 each from the Sleepy Eye Football Boosters and Sleepy Eye Baseball Club to benefit the high school weight room were accepted along with a New Ulm Medical Center summer strength and conditioning contract were accepted. The summer program hours will be posted on the school web site.

Staff additions included varsity basketball coach Sara Hesse at $4,365 and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) para Tamara Lopez, 6.5 hours a day at $12.38/hr.

Good news items included the FFA Poultry Team and Cassidy Hoffmann (ag communications) winning state titles. The Best-Informed Greenhand team was state runnerup. The Market Plan team was third in state competition. Morgan Hoffmann was state runnerup in ag education. McKenzie Cselovszki was third in equine placement.

State Degree recipients were Landon Strong, Cassidy Hoffmann, Macy Schenk and Paige Romberg.

The Sleepy Eye YES (Youth Eco Solutions) team won the regional title and will be introduced at Sunday’s Minnesota Twins game as one of the top four teams in the state.

Cselovszki and the board met in closed session for 35 minutes to discuss contract negotiations strategy.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.