SHERBURN — The Martin County West School Board met on Monday evening. Technology Coordinator Jake Helmstetter presented a One-to-One Technology Initiative Report from the last year.

Four-hundred-thirty iPads were purchased with COVID-19 money in 2023; they replaced the very old and slow equipment. In the beginning, there were five carts with iPad equipment, and there was significant time wasted as each student had to sign in, and some students needed quite a bit of help. After the summer of 2024, each senior student got an iPad, and the SAVIR model was started. The teacher training continued throughout the year. The concern of student responsibility was worked on with the iPad experiment. In the beginning, there were about 50 percent of the students who were not prepared, and by the end of the first week, there were only 10 out of over 100 who were not prepared.

The digital testing (MCA and ACT tests) was a concern, but the digital testing went much

smoother than the pencil and paper method. Again, the teacher training helped with the transition. In May, the devices were to be handed in, and that was also a good experience, and training helped teachers put grades into the system. The student’s responsibility was worked on, and plans are to mark students who are not prepared or not charging iPads as tardy and use the 1,2,3 system with three strikes, the parents are involved more.

The iPads are integrated in K through 12, and the students who have used the iPads in previous grades are significantly more successful at the digital part of the courses. The carts will move to one-to-one next year in junior high, and the iPads will not be taken home but will be based with the cart at school. The board members asked questions about using iPads for data to help teachers keep track of students, how much time young students spend using the iPad, which was no more than 20 minutes a day.

The difference between iPad and computers was discussed, and different systems or products and their specific best attributes. The question about iPads and phones in the classroom was answered by High School Principal Autumn Welcome with the plan for a phone storage in each room and teacher enforcement. She explained that it should help with the anxiety of the students to know their phone is near but not in their hands, and that if emergencies are noted, the teacher and student can work that out as the phone would be in the classroom.

The meeting continued with the district’s special events noted by the superintendent. Sports accolades were mentioned as Bear Kosbob went to the state track meet, Knox Larson went to the state golf tournament, and Maddie Carlson and Emily Anderson were softball stars.

The board approved several resolutions and action items that are annually needed such as: long term maintenance (10 year plan) for the district facilities (only the most immediate issues), maintenance for the Arise Academy building of the Coop with Southern Plains Education proportionally to MCW’s share, authorization with funds transfers and files and recertification.

Superintendent Cori Reynolds reported 625 enrollment and reported the average enrollment for each year, as asked by a board member at the last meeting. She also reported that the opening of bids for the new school project was done on June 10, and the confirming of low bids and a special meeting will be held, hopefully in July, to award contracts. There were three areas with no bids that will be resubmitted for bids.

When it came to approval of the 2025-2026 budget (with one nay vote), the business manager explained some questions and answered the questions posed about the deficit in the school readiness item at the last meeting. The proposal was to move $50,000 a year to the school readiness from the unassigned fund. Reynolds reported some operational adjustments, such as payroll and benefits by SMS to just be payroll, and the district operations assistant taking over the benefits, and posting a building and grounds supervisor and the owner’s representative at each building site.

The totals on the budget were $10,430,414 for revenue and $10,386,680 for expenditures, with a balance of $43,554. Welcome mentioned that they are working hard on hiring needed teachers and are almost filled. Trimont Principal Michelle Baker mentioned that the office is open but will be closed in July for maintenance work. Sherburn Elementary Principal Nickole Bowie mentioned that they have been interviewing to fill positions and that the maintenance work is great, with most rooms cleaned already. Bowie also listed CER programs and classes. The Twins camp had about 50 participants and was very good. Things coming up are: preschool registration, need for advisory members, Storybook Theatre in July at Sherburn Theatre, Coach T football camp next week, tackle football, mini magic gymnastics has at least 3 sections, Spanish classes in August, Kinder Kamp is ready, Wrestling Camp just started, and there may be pop up classes for adults with last minute preparations, these need some adult teachers willing to teach adults.

The Board went into closed session about property sales or purchases.

The next meeting of the Martin County School Board will be at 6 p.m. on July 21 at the Sherburn Elementary School building.

In other news, the board:

— Approved letting bids for milk, fuel for transportation and snow removal for the coming school year.

— Approved a leave of absences of Megan Morgan and Jenna Bermeister for the next fall and winter.

— Approved the hirings of Alyssa Martini as Trimont Elementary, Arleigh Anthonisen as high school custodian, Carolyn Kascht for Trimont administrative assistant, Sami Jo Helmers-Nelson ELA, Brittany Bass and Erin Morris KinderKamp teacher and Liz Denn KinderKamp Special Education Teacher, Ryan Melkert, Sarah Glidden, Courtney Fritz, Karis Hagen, Chelsie Rolling, Teresa Jensen and custodians Zane Borchardt, and Jazzmyne Burmeister for summer school staff members

— Approved Head Coaches, including Football Coach Tom Elliot, Volleyball Coach Kayla Zehms, Cross Country Coach Stanneta Svoboda, Boys’ Basketball Coach Phillip Rotunda, Girls’ Basketball Coach Cliff Anderson, Wrestling Coach Adam Williamson, Gymnastics Coach Annie Post, Golf Coach Jordan Neduzak, Track and Field Coach Lee Carlson, Softball Coach Darrell Ziegler, Baseball Coach Jon Traerow, Trapshooting Coach Jeremy Glidden, Theater Director Alaina Baker, Knowledge Bowl Coach Logan Pankonin and Robotics Coach Alicia Swanson.

— Offered contracts to probationary teachers, including Physical Education Teacher Parker Anderson, Kindergarten Teacher Brittany Bass, English Teacher Summer Firchau, Sixth Grade Teacher Courtney Fritz, Art Teacher Helena Johnson, Second Grade Teacher Maia Ringnell, Special Education Teacher Chelsie Rolling, Fifth Grade Teacher Jon Traetow, Science Teacher Jarvis Weber, Social Worker Heather Winter and High School Academic Dean Jordan Neduzak.

— Approved the resignations of Science Teacher Alexandria Lange and English Teacher Julie Clare.

— Accepted the donations for $1,475.96 to the Preschool from Donor’s Choice and $661 for the kindergarten equipment from Lakeshore Learning.