Guza placed on unrequested leave

Due to financial limitations and lack of pupils, the board Tuesday night put teacher Stephanie Guza on unrequested leave of absence.

Thirty-six percent of her ELL (English Language Learning) position was placed on leave. “I teach children the communication skills they need to succeed,” Guza says on her website.

Essentially, students who speak other languages get help from Guza to speak better English.

The first step the board took Tuesday will be followed by a second step that would officially make the ELL position a 64 percent pay position.

“This unrequested leave of absence is not the result of the implementation of an education district agreement.”

“Pupils (in the ELL program) have decreased and a lot of caseloads that were full-time have changed,” said Supt. Deitte.

“I am trying to balance the budget for next year,” Deitte added.

Guza will remain as a teacher through this school year and her status as a teacher with the Minneota District will be determined at a later board meeting. Unrequested leave means the pay and fringe benefits will not be given to the teacher.