Staff photo by Fritz Busch Sleepy Eye Public School Superintendent John Cselovszki voices legislative concerns at Wednesday’s school board meeting. If current law stays in place, the school will lose $205,000 in future compensatory revenue. In addition, a proposal to eliminate non-public transportation aid would cause the school to lose $123,000.

SLEEPY EYE — Superintendent John Cselovszki voiced legislative concerns that could cost the school district more than $300,000 in future funding Wednesday.

“A lot of issues that could go either way are hot topics for us. We’re concerned about losing $205,000 in future compensatory revenue funds (allocated to districts based on the number of low-income students enrolled) if the current law stays in place. We would not lose funds for one year (due to $39 million in one-time funding),” he said.

A proposal to eliminate non-public transportation aid would cost the school $123,000,” he told the board in his report.

Senate File 2255 that repeals non-public school aid was read for the second time April 30.

“I’m not seeing any mascot language (in legislation) for us right now. Our costs (for new uniforms, signage, etc) is about $500,000,” said Cselovszki.

Under House File 2433 that passed the Minnesota House of Representatives May 5, LTFM (long-term facilities maintenance) would be expanded to allow districts to levy above $100,000 for roof replacement and repair.

Special Education transportation reimbursements would be reduced from 100% of eligible costs to 95%, but transportation of homeless and highly mobile students would remain at 100% of eligible costs.

“That would help us out. I shared all our big concerns including unfunded mandates, with our representatives about a week ago, reminding them of how much money would could lose and urged them to represent the district,” said Cselovszki.

House File 2433 includes $40 million for the READ Act, passed and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz May 24, 2023.

The goal of this legislation is to have every Minnesota child reading at or above grade level every year, beginning in kindergarten, and to support multilingual learner and students receiving special education services in achieving their individualized reading goals in order to meet grade level proficiency.

The READ Act replaces Read Well by Third Grade (RWBTG) and has been in effect since July 1, 2023.

The board unanimously approved a $1,000 cheerleading program donation from the Estate of Charles Hansen.

Action items were approved on a motion by board member Brian Nelson, seconded by Adam Barka.

Sleepy Eye High School graduation begins at 7 p.m., Friday, May 16. The final day of school for grades K-11 is May 21.