BLUE EARTH – Plans are moving forward as the Blue Earth Area School District prepares for a vote on an operating levy referendum slated for Nov. 5.

“We have five informational meetings scheduled throughout the district,” Superintendent Mandy Fletcher told the school board earlier this week.

The sessions will be held on Sept. 24 at the Heartland Retreat Center in Elmore, Sept. 26 in Frost at the former school building, Sept. 30 at the Winnebago Municipal Center, Oct. 3 in the Blue Earth Area High School Performing Arts Center and Oct. 10 at Delavan City Hall. All meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Turning to other business, the board heard from Dan Brod, the K-12 transportation coordinator, who reported that two morning bus routes and one morning van route have been eliminated.

“The buses are in good shape and ready to go,” Brod explained. “We have 20 buses and five vans ready to go. One of our goals is to reduce van use.”

In other business the board:

o Approved the hiring of Jeremy Frank as a high school custodian, James Wirkus as a maintenance specialist and Al Cue as a long-term mathematics substitute.

o Accepted the resignation of Cristine Schug as a paraprofessional at the high school.