SHERBURN — The Martin County West School Board met on Monday evening. Superintendent Cory Reynolds reported the finances and the enrollment (626), the kindergarten, 2nd grade and 5th grade have three sections. The 1st grade and the 6th grade have two sections and 3rd and 4th grades have one section. She reported that the referendum information is updated onto the website where residents may request an information session (like the one the Lions have requested) and residents may submit questions. Information sessions are scheduled. Early voting starts in September and one of the board members asked what is done with the early ballots. The superintendent is in training for the election and reported that they stay unopened until the other ballots are ready.

The principals reported that issues in the high school with computers are being answered by the computer and technology employee with great success. The new math program and books are being used well and successfully. Trimont and Sherburn elementary students are working together. Elementary students will have break out sessions to help the remedial reader or math student and to at the same time give the excelling student enrichment time.

MCW CER reported that the indoor pool is back in action and the football and cheer camps were successful. There are plans for a 55+ Alive driving session and estate planning this winter and spring.

The board also discussed the unpaid meal balances which add up to $3,000+. The staff may have a payroll deduction made, families may pay with cash, a check or online. Some families qualify for meal benefits and the balance will then be forgiven.

In other news, the board:

— Accepted donations of $520 from Citizens Bank for the personal finance lab, $300 from Martin County Pork Producers for the high school, $300 from Martin County Pork Producers for the elementary school, $200 from an anonymous donor for meal balances.

— Approved Dec. 18 as the date for the truth-in-taxation date to hear the information regarding the budget and proposed property tax beginning 6 p.m. prior to the school board meeting.

— Approved the proposed 2023 pay 2024 levy limitation and Certification at the Maximum. This will be reviewed after the Dec. 18 meeting.

— Approved the internal controls manual for accounting procedures and practices which shows how the money is used in the school district and safeguards against fraud. This was

suggested by the auditor.

— Approved some overloads for seven teachers mostly to teach until the new hired teachers come in January or because the teachers are also teaching college courses in the classroom.

— Approved declaring bus #11 surplus equipment and will get bids for the sale of the bus.

The week is full of homecoming events and these were discussed. The dates for the community informational meetings were also reported: At 6 p.m. on Oct. 5, at Triumph Hall in Trimont; 1 p.m. on Oct. 11 for a virtual Zoom meeting; 6 p.m. on Oct. 16, at Sherburn

Elementary School (prior to the school board meeting at 7:15 p.m.; 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 24, at Welcome Legion; and at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Dunnell Community Hall.

The board then went into closed session for performance evaluation of the Superintendent as required by state law.