SLEEPY EYE ‒ By a 5-2 vote Monday, the Sleepy Eye Public School Board approved moving forward on a joint venture superintendent and elementary principal sharing opportunity with Cedar Mountain Public Schools.

Superintendent John Cselovszki said the school board recently received a letter from Cedar Mountain Public Schools regarding sharing a superintendent with them. He said Dr. Stephen L. Malone is an interim superintendent at Cedar Mountain.

Cselovszki, the superintendent and elementary principal at Sleepy Eye Public School, said he would like to retire from education in about 4 ½ years and Cedar Mountain is looking at sharing a superintendent with another school district as of June 1, 2025.

“We have a nice setup here. I like it. I have very good staff support here. I am interested in working at both schools,” he said.

Board members Joleen Dittbenner and Sheila Wurtzberger cast dissenting votes on the motion by Casey Coulson, seconded by Adam Barka.

Dittbenner said she opposed sharing a superintendent.

“I don’t want to give up John (Cselovszki) because of the job he’s done here. He contract is good for 2 ½ years.

Board member Brian Nelson had interest in sharing a superintendent.

Nelson said he thought Cedar Mountain can benefit Sleepy Eye because of something they do that may benefit Sleepy Eye Public School.

Board member Darla Remus said he is aware of lots of school districts sharing superintendents.

“This is a unique opportunity that may not come again,” said board member Casey Coulson.

“I’m in favor of it. Do some work with the numbers on what it costs us,” said Nelson.

Sleepy Eye Special Education paraprofessional Sherri Okerman asked the school board to keep a full-time elementary principal to help manage the elementary school. Okerman said Cselovszki has been a good “go-to” person in the elementary school.

“A new, full-time elementary principal costs us more money. Any change has risk,” said Coulson.

Cselovszki said he would let Cedar Mountain Public School know the board is interested in sharing a superintendent and would present more details on the issue at the December 10 board meeting.