SHERBURN — The Martin County West School Board held its March meeting on Monday evening with another full room of residents from the district. Three residents had requested their three minutes of comments for the board.

One explained the situation for farmers in the area with prices down significantly and dry weather predicted would lower income considerably. Using her calculations, a 500 acre farm may lose as much as $4,600+. She asked that the staff not say “open your pocketbooks, farmers,” especially in front of students. Another resident asked that the board stop the election and appoint a task force. She mentioned that the referendum was dividing residents, pupils and staff. What was wrong with remodeling or building like Grand Meadows. The referendum will close a school building in the district. Not all residents can afford the money needed through taxes, fees, etc. As evidence that some people are struggling now the number of those on free lunch and special consideration is quite a bit in the district.

Negotiations with the MCW Education Association produced some offers for the staff. The board approved the college credit offer for staff, and an increase in the hourly rate for work done outside the educators contract, also an increase in the insurance and retirement and salary. The coaches will get a 5 percent increase the first year and a 3+ percent the second year. The board approved the two-year contract with the staff, and the staff development plan.

The board reviewed the list of proposed reductions: reduce assistant FFA advisor, reduce coaches to two for junior high and 3.5 for high school, reduce conferences to 4 people for MSBA and 1 each for superintendent and all principals, reduce one custodian, sell a truck, reduce advertising, eliminate frontline budget program, reconfigure central office and transportation, conduct early childhood screening in-house, close the pool, code some salaries in food service differently, eliminate AOM in the high school, reduce math teacher by attrition, replace CSA, eliminate high school esp position in media room, reduce supply budget (books) to $4 from $8 per student, eliminate two routes in transportation, sell 2 buses, sell Welcome Bus Barn (there is space at Trimont). Proposed to add a tech assistant at the high school to stay on site. Mark L. would train in the person and when he retires they would be the tech. The board hopes to get grants and help from the state. The board did not act on any reductions or the addition of tech position. They asked for more details to help decide what to eliminate, change or add.

The board approved hiring the following coaches: Philip Rotunda, head baseball coach, Tyler Wille, assistant baseball coach, Mark Jagodzinske, Junior High baseball coach, Courtney Schultz-, Junior High softball, Darrel Ziegler, head softball coach, Jennifer Clow, assistant softball coach, Grant Carlson, assistant softball coach, Carter Wille, head track and field coach, Stannetta Svoboda, assistant track and field coach, Jordan Neduzak, head golf coach, Noah Anderson, assistant golf coach, Jeremy Glidden, clay target, and Alicia Swanson, robotics coach.

Moving to other matters, the finances reported were about 58 percent of the budget used so far. Dan Schroeder, the Business Manager, gave a budget update. The general fund has a healthy fund balance but may decrease about $318,000. The lower enrollment projected would mean less expense but also less income. The CER is kept by most schools so the students can benefit from the special projects without raising fees and sometimes for free. The board asked for more details on the projection to help them know if things are feasible and what needs to be cut, etc. When asked about unemployment insurance Schroeder projected an increase and not sure of the impact yet. A deficit of $300,000 was predicted and when all funds are included perhaps a deficit of $600,000.

Superintendent Reynolds reported that the website was updated and the press release was sent last week and a brochure was mailed this week about the community open houses. One more will happen from 5-7 p.m. on April 29. There is early voting available March 29. The office will be open on the following Monday.

In other news:

— The board approved an ALICE book donated to the elementary library from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, and $258 in classroom materials from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture to the first grade.

— The Board hired three esps, and a volunteer softball coach and accepted resignations from Amanda Fiorentino-Anderson, an English teacher, Reada McConnaughy, a math teacher, Tyler Wille, football coach and Samantha Chukuske, special education.

— The board approved the school calendar for the 2024-2025 school year.

— The district’s liquid asset fund will have an interest rate of 5 percent and that will be a budget enhancement.

— The board approved adding Dan Schroeder to authorization for electronic fund transfers and bank transactions and to take Ashley Olson off that list. The board also approved the yearly adjustment of educational programs and positions.

The next meeting of the Martin County West School Board is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on April 15 at the Sherburn Elementary School.