SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye Public School Board unanimously approved the fiscal year 2022 audit at its meeting Nov. 16.

“You’ve got a clean audit opinion,” said Abdo Certified Public Accounts Senior Manager Layne Kockelman. Approval came on a motion by Brian Nelson, seconded by Sandy Gonzalez.

Kockelman said the $8.2 million school district budget had $7.8 million in actual expenditures and a general fund balance of $4.1 million, up about $500,000 from the forecast amount due largely to additional federal funds, many of which are one-time funds.

Kockelman recommended the school district raise the capitalization threshold, (the minimum cost at which an asset must be reflected in accounting records and financial statements) by $5,000.

Superintendent John Cselovszki said a request to raise the capitalization threshold will be brought back to the school board at its Dec. 14 meeting.

The board unanimously approved the Nov. 8, 2022 election results with a canvassing resolution, motion by Joleen Dittbenner, seconded by Bryan Sellner.

Sleepy Eye High School Principal Shane Laffen said he is “giving teachers a break,” teaching two hours a month for each staff member and staffers that nominated them for Staff Spotlight awards.

The board approved an updated 2022-2023 fee schedule, including a $30 daily per diem allowance for students. Staff per diem will be at the existing Internal Revenue Service mileage rate.

Donations accepted include $1,000 by the Sleepy Eye Lions Club for Junior Achievement USA Biztown (a Twin Cities trip for a day-long visit to a simulated town allowing grade 4-6 students to operate banks, manage restaurants, write checks and vote for mayor).

SouthPoint Financial Credit donated $774.90 to support the student council. In addition, a $715 donation for a third Knowledge Bowl coach was accepted.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@

nujournal.com).