SLEEPY EYE – The Sleepy Eye Public School board unanimously approved hiring Chase Meyer as elementary instructor for the 2021-22 school year Wednesday.

Action came on consent agenda action items on a motion by board member Joleen Dittbenner, seconded by Sandy Gonzalez. Meyer’s 2021-22 salary is $40,488.

The board approved resignations from fourth grade teacher Marissa Gordon as of June 30, 2021, paraprofessional Arlene Dietz as of July 23 and special education paraprofessional Alica Beltz as of July 21. Beltz was hired as a ECSE (early childhood special education teacher) tier 2 at $40,488.

Supt. John Cselovszki said he is looking to hire a couple paraprofessionals before school starts.

Cselovszki said he advocated for fully funding special education, reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Act for Fiscal Year 2022, and for federal funds to refurbish school district buildings as part of the federal infrastructure bill.

He advocated against the school voucher proposal. “The money should stay in public schools,” Cselovszki said.

In addition, he read high school principal Shane Laffen’s report that stated some junior high students will be retained because they did not meet expectations.

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