SHERBURN — The Martin County West (MCW) School Board met on Monday evening. The evening began with a public hearing about renewing an expiring operating levy, which was approved and brought up at the regular school board meeting later.

In the financial report, Superintendent Cori Reynolds said that 83 percent of the budget has been used. The enrollment report cited 625 students enrolled, which is a steady number. Reynolds congratulated the FFA on their good showing at the national convention and the 43 sixth graders who took CPR lessons. She mentioned the first graders who were hatching chicks and ducks. The board renewed the operating referendum for 10 years, which was to expire soon.

Business Manager Dan Schroeder reported on the budget overview for the 2025 to 2026 school year. He explained that restricted funds could only be spent on certain things, and unassigned funds could be used for everything. The unassigned had revenue of $8.2 million and had expenses of $8.8 million, and the assigned had about $9 million. The assigned had things like school readiness, which has a deficit of about $120,000 and must be addressed.

There is a debt service fund that the state adjusts. The fund balance helps the cash flow, and the savings after the new school is up and running will help that fund balance then. The Minnesota Education Association is not sure of what they will do, and the school districts need to have a plan since enrollment, staffing and prices may change things. The preliminary budget (not including construction or debt services fund) was listed as revenues $10,282,755 and expenses $10,238,201, and the low balance was $43,554. The total of all funds was $17,583,582 in revenues, expenditures $ 50,725,220 and a balance of minus $313,186,638.

After several questions, the board decided that the approval be tabled until the next meeting and that the business manager present a plan to help with the school readiness deficit to help the board plan what they can, perhaps use some of the basic skills funds. The manager remarked that this board asked many questions, which was good. The approval was tabled.

The sections of students now is 17, with an average of a little less than 20 per section in the elementary grades. The board approved a request from Reynolds to use a target of 10 additional students to make an additional section. This all depends on the skill level of students and any extra help they may need.

Junior and Senior High Principal Autumn Welcome reported that graduation is at 2 p.m. on June 1, and plans are ready. They will have an Awards Day on May 30, the last day of school. All evaluations were done, and a few handbook items were handed in.

Trimont Elementary Principal Michelle Baker reported that they had a Dare Graduation, which was well attended. They will have an Awards Day (not on the 30th). Field days were a good end of the school year event. The Assessments are done, and classroom assignments for the coming year are being worked on.

Committee reports from the board were given.

The board went into closed session considering the purchase of the Welcome School properties.

The next meeting of the MCW School Board will be at 6 p.m. on June 16 at the Elementary School Board room.

In other business, the board:

— Approved the employment of Hannah Clough as an elementary teacher.

— Approved the addition of Jarvis Weber as a volunteer golf coach.

— Approved the employment of Courtney Fritz as a sixth-grade teacher.

— Approved the reassignment of Adam Williamson as a fifth-grade teacher.

— Approved the resignations of ESPS Duane Youngwirth and Tammy Laporte.

— Approved the resignation of Custodian Lee Obernolte.

— Approved the resignation of Assistant Cook Arlene Hoomes.

— Approved Dawn Sandbulte to authorize electronic funds transfers, the Larkoski Computer Services contract, and Jake Helmstetter as Technology Coordinator.