SHERBURN– At the Martin County West School Board meeting last Thursday, there was discussion about the reading curriculum, which has been looked into at the school district for two years. There were several varied curricula used and a new one was tried in 2007. The inconsistencies, lack of fidelity and achievement gaps necessitated a revision for a district-wide curriculum with variety and consistency. A list was compiled and then samples were ordered from several curriculum sources.

The Minnesota Department of Education rubrics were considered and the standards were aligned. The field was narrowed down to two from five. The staff was surveyed and gave valuable feedback. The teachers liked experienced teachers and consistency across the district and a teacher manual and student printed resource. The feedback was overwhelmingly approving of the HMH reading curriculum.

The representatives of the teachers explained the parts of the curriculum that fit best at MCW. They mentioned smooth transition, fewer consumables, teacher-friendly, cross-curricular, science and social-based units, a wide variety of teacher tools, many options for high achievers and struggling students, writing and grammar included, follows the “I Do, We Do, You Do” teaching model, and is adaptable to different minutes scheduled in classrooms. It does not have a pre- school curriculum but it can be adapted with LETRS-trained staff.

The cost is about $53 per student and there is a Capital fund that is earmarked for this purpose. Monitoring effectiveness was mentioned and there are several monitoring measures such asl PLCs, CAPTI scores and online assessments analyzed.

The board approved of the new curriculum and meetings with parents, open house family meetings, shared information via newsletter and social media updates are planned.

Business Manager Dawn Sandbulte from schoolmanagementservices.org, gave an update with data sheets and side-by-side comparisons from other years. The surplus and deficit in the budget are in good shape. Budget will be based on ADM (average daily membership) with an enrollment figure of about 615 students. She mentioned that the budget is conservative and that the bond issue makes some differences. There will be personnel meetings discussing enrollment, and final approval is estimated for May or June. She will inform the board monthly. The legislature would help if they would pass an education bill and not cut special education or at least rule on the matters that would pertain to school budgets.

The meeting continued with principal reports and committee reports.

MCW Principal Autumn Welcome said the school play, “The Olympians”, will be performed on March 26-28 at the Sherburn Theatre. The Senior Class Trip to Washington D.C. will be March 29-April 4. Spring sports have begun, including softball, baseball, track, golf and soon trap shooting.

Trimont Elementary Principal Michele Baker mentioned the successful “You Matter” project that posted positive notes of encouragement on every student’s locker. The students saw a presentation, War of the Currents, sponsored by FREA and Great River Energy. Cooperation was the character trait focused on in March, and Courage will be the trait in April.

Sherburn Elementary Principal Nickole Bowie reported on the successful Book Fair, ice skating fun and upcoming Kindergarten Round Up on March 26. There will be an early dismissal on March 27 for teacher training. Bowie spoke about the CER offerings, which include 55 Alive Driving course, Mini Magic Gymnastics, Spanish classes for youth and adults online, robotics, indoor walking and planned summer activities.

Spring Break will be from April 3 to April 6.

In other news:

— The board approved the hiring of the following: Jarvis Weber for assistant Track coach this spring; Ryan Melkert for Junior High Baseball coach this spring; Emily Hansen, long-term substitute for second grade; and Meta Tewes for secondary Agriculture Business teacher. Sydney Andrews was given advancement to ESP step 9. The board accepted the resignation of Rodger Taylor as a sixth grade teacher.

— The board passed the consent agenda containing things such as the draw of $3,642,527-plus for construction expenses, financial reports and donations.

— The board accepted with thanks the donations from the Sherburn Lions Club of $1,000 and $500 from Rev. Joshua Caldwell from the Assembly of God Regional Worship Center for the trip to the Science Museum for the third and fourth graders. Several sources for the expenses of the trip were used, one was the Vikings contribution. Later in the meeting, the teachers from those grades reported that the trip was an amazing and outstanding experience and the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

— Superintendent Cori Reynolds said the welding students who visited the construction site got to learn valuable skills while welding the precast panels. The construction manager said most of the construction is on track, ahead in some aspects and behind in others.

The Martin County West School Board’s next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on April 20 at the Sherburn Elementary School.