FAIRMONT — Congressman Jim Hagedorn toured Arise Academy in Fairmont on Thursday.

Arise Academy is Southern Plains Education Cooperative’s newest site, located in the former Lincoln School in Fairmont. The building is being renovated and is expected to open at the start of the school year.

Hagedorn represents Minnesota’s First District in the U.S. House of Representatives. When he is not at the Capitol, he often visits the 21 counties he represents in southern Minnesota.

Hagedorn first met with cooperative director Dr. Sarah Mittelstadt. She had visited Washington, D.C., in early July, when she met with Minnesota representatives and invited Hagedorn to visit the facilities here.

Mittelstadt gave him a background on the co-op and shared what services it offers its five member district — Blue Earth Area, Fairmont Area, Granada-Huntley-East Chain, Martin County West and United South Central.

Having grown up on a farm near Truman, Hagedorn noticed that Truman was not listed as a member and asked Mittelstadt about it.

“About a year ago, we had to make a motion to do this project, which costs some local taxpayer dollars, and Truman didn’t feel like they could do it,” she explained. “They’re in a very unique spot now. They don’t belong to a cooperative.”

When the co-op made the decision to move from its previous home in Winnebago because of extensive maintenance required, the former Lincoln School building was its top choice. However, the building required renovations and an addition totaling $11 million. Member districts are responsible for paying.

“To meet the needs of all kids, there’s a ton of services that have to be provided,” Mittelstadt said. She said these include special education teachers, psychologists, physical therapy, consultation, and speech and language therapy.

Mittelstadt said the bulk of the services are provided out in the school districts, but a building is still needed for the roughly 90 students who will study at Arise Academy.

“We have some students who, for various reasons, can’t fit within the public school setting,” she noted. “They’ve had life factors that have gotten in the way. Sometimes it’s biochemical, sometimes it’s home environment issues.”

Mittelstadt explained that in the past, the co-op had to use whatever space was available in a school building for its special need students, but this was not always in the best environment.

“We had to make a tough decision and decided to buy a school building. We’re renovating it and adding on to meet the needs of all the students,” Mittelstadt said.

“We get it. Everybody has different needs and demands,” Hagedorn said.

Hagedorn asked Mittelstadt if the co-op gets money for programs from member districts.

“That’s correct,” she said. “We don’t get any money of our own. The federal dollars do flow through us but we only get them because of our member districts, so there’s no extra funding to cooperate together.”

She went on to say that they get just 16 percent of their costs reimbursed.

John Klaber, executive director of the Minnesota Administrators for Special Education, was present for the tour and told Hagedorn of a bill — H.R. 1878- IDEA Full Funding Act — that could use his support.

“In 1975, the feds promised to pick up 40 percent of our costs and now we’re pushing 16 percent,” Klaber said. “There is currently a bipartisan bill that says over 10 years, they’ll ramp it up to reach 40 percent. We hope you’ll give some thought to signing on to that.”

Hagedorn said he will look at the bill, but expressed doubt, saying it would need a Republican in the Senate to support it.

“These aren’t services we’re doing because they’re fun, and not all the kids need them, but they’re required. The services have to be provided,” Mittelstadt said.

Hagedorn said he understands that school districts cannot just get rid of students who have special requirements, and he has heard from many other districts that they have had issues of students getting shopped around.

When the bill was brought up again at the end of the tour, Hagedorn said, “Congress has little year-to-year control of spending issues. By and large, revenues are up and the economy is strong, and yet [federal] spending is way up and our debt continues to grow under both parties and it’s an issue. I know there’s a lot of priorities, and this is one of them.”

“We understand. Education is 2 percent of the budget, early childhood through college … a little more would be nice,” Mittelstadt said.

“Just know that I appreciate what you do. You’re making a big difference for not just the kids but the families too.” Hagedorn said.