Winona Teacher Receives Check to Cover Lost Pay

WINONA, Minn. (AP) - A Minnesota teacher says he's "overwhelmed" after receiving a check to cover pay lost while he was stationed in Afghanistan.

The Winona Daily News reports Matt Reuter returned home last summer - only to find he was responsible for covering the costs of his substitute teacher.

Under state law, the Winona District was required to deduct $11,000 from the Goodview Elementary teacher's pay.

Reuter brought that to the attention of Gov. Mark Dayton, who mentioned it to NEA convention delegates. Winona's 2011 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Katy Smith, also lobbied Dayton for a change in state law, which the Legislature approved last spring.

NEA delegates took up a collection for Reuter. A check for $13,528 was presented to him Friday by Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher.