<!–
SHERBURN– The Martin County West School Board met on Monday evening for its November board meeting. There were visitors present in a standing room only amount and two former school board members gave public comments. Myrna Peters asked that the board canvass other school districts that had remodeled their school such as Mountain Lake, Jackson, and St. James. Wendi Russenberger representing the MCW Care group asked that a task force be organized with members across the board including farmers, staff, business, young and old, those who opposed the referendum and those who agreed with it. She agreed that most knew there is not enough space and the staff and curriculum all need something and asked that the task force look into what is needed and how to get it. She remarked that the AG 2 school program may not be available some time in the future or it may stay in effect. The Board thanked all the visitors and the speakers.
The board did a reflection exercise on the referendum vote from the Nov. special election. There were 2,660 voters registered and 911 voted no on the first referendum question. They wrote and discussed comments on three issues, What to learn about the project from the election results; What are the top priorities in a building project; and What aspects of a project are you willing to compromise on to get project approved. The most comments centered around communication to the community and the importance of the community for the first comment.
The second comment about priorities centered on learning spaces and budget concerns and also mentioned use of Staff, utilizing resources and importance of student needs.
The third comment about compromise centered on money, but school buildings and demolition and extra space were also important.
Comments from the board after discussion were that they felt they changed methods and tried hard to make sure everyone knew about things. They wondered if the wording may have been correct since some may have thought the school was being built for 800 students but it was that 800 students was a goal and the school would be ready for that many. The board all wanted more opportunity for students and realized the cost or money was the biggest concern.
The superintendent explained the timeline that would probably be used to discuss options and come to some plan for the future. The board will have a special meeting and options, long term questions, various budget plans, cost per square foot and community involvement were mentioned as important aspects they wanted to discuss. A remark that maybe community involvement in meetings may need to wait until the board has a handle on the options was made.
Reports from committees and principals followed.
The High School principal, Autumn Welcome, reflected on the good turn out for the Blood Drive and that the students shopping with children was in the works and that the students were anticipating helping others.
The Trimont principal, Michele Baker, reported that the Literacy Carnival was a success and the book fair had $4,000 in sales. The math series that is new this year had a very good evaluation and the K-5 will do the Bridges Math series in the new year.
Sherburn Elementary Principal, Nickole Bode, reported that the reading intervention is working well and the 1 and 2 graders’ visit to the school play was successful too. There will be a teacher’s workshop on Nov. 27 after the fall break. Bode also reported on the Community Education Recreation projects. She mentioned trying to offer more Junior High students opportunities. She mentioned several of the CER offerings which are in the newsletter or on the school web site.
The preschool is near capacity and the wrestling has over 100 participants so they divide the practice time with the smaller wrestlers practicing first. They are looking for a Basketball volunteer coach.
In other news:
— The board accepted, with gratitude, the donations/grants give from Valero Benefit for Children of $12,500 for robotics team, products given for all buildings valued at $26,473 from 3M and NAIER and $900 from donations given at the Literacy Carnival for Title 1 Program.
— The board approved hiring: Parker Anderson Phy. Educ. at the Jr. Sr High school; Lee Carlson assistant Track and Field Coach; Alexandra Lange Jr. High girls basketball Coach; and accepted some resignations.
— The board approved the second reading of the adoption of updated policies concerning substitute teachers and long term substitutes. It also approved the bid for the old bus from the Boy Scouts Troop.
— The superintendent’s report said the finances were about 26 percent of the budget so far. The enrollment was 629 as of Oct 31, 2023.
The next meeting of the Martin County West School Board is scheduled for December 18 at 6 p.m. when the Truth in Taxation meeting will be held before the school board regular meeting.