SHERBURN — The Martin County West School Board had a meeting Monday evening and received an update on the progress of the new school building and approved a draw for construction expenses of $2,420,900-plus for R. A. Morton Company.

The company president presented a construction report citing that they were on schedule and making good progress. The plumbing workers were working on pipes, floor heating and ductwork. The electrician’s 12 staff were everywhere working on their projects. The framers worked on the second-floor media center and in the science area. The concrete projects, which are very important to the other areas since the levelness and flatness affect the next layer, the floor, are having a pre-installation briefing meeting the next day. Inspectors are on the job too, since the concrete must be perfect, especially for the floor’s underlayment. The roofers are working on the shelter roof. The sprinklers are all on A and B, and they will work in the gym now. The board asked a few questions and thanked him for his report.

Dawn Sundbulte gave an online report about the budget. She mentioned that the fund balance was in good shape and comparable to other schools she works for. There will be budget discussions and hopefully approval in June. One of the questions pertained to transfers and she explained that sometimes some of the funds from unassigned are used in restricted projects. She also mentioned that legislation on state funding is not finalized and this affects the revenue part of the budget.

Superintendent Cori Reynolds shared that 76 percent of the budget for this year has been used and that enrollment was currently 614 students. She talked about events that happened in the school district lately, such as the Forensic Class learning from Officer Clint Cole about evidence and fingerprints. She said sixth-grade students learned CPR and first-grade students made books after they chose an animal and reviewed references about it. The books were titled “If I Were an Animal I Would Be.”

MCW High School Principal Autumn Welcome explained that testing has completed. Open positions include Ag/Industrial Arts and Science. Summer School is being planned and evaluations were completed for staff. They are working on the master schedule. All staff and volunteers who helped make the Prom a success were thanked. Graduation will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 29, which is the last day of school with early dismissal. The awards presentation is at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 28.

Trimont Elementary Principal Michelle Baker shared that the teachers are excited about the new reading curriculum for next school year. Their testing is also complete. The teachers planned each day’s special ways to celebrate the end of the school year. Second-grade students were escorted by sixth-grade students to familiarize the students with the new school and staff. Sixth-grade students transitioning to seventh-grade visited MCW High School.

Sherburn Elementary Principal Nickole Bowie explained that the Student of the Month recognition, Pizza with the Principal, music concert, second-grade visit to Trimont and Law Enforcement Day were successful. News for next year was that the reading corps and math corps teachers will be in Sherburn again. Bowie gave updates on the Community Education and Recreation programs. Mini Magic Gymnastics will be at the Fairmont Armory for one more year. The dance recital was successful. Preschool is going well. Spanish classes for beginners, intermediate and traveling will be offered. During the summer the Storybook Theatre will do a week long camp and Coach T will have his football camp. There may be a basketball camp.

In other news:

— The board approved hiring the following: Summer Custodians Zane Borchardt, Login Pankonin and Jake Whitehead. The 2026-2027 sixth-grade teacher Matthew Beckendorf, 2026-2027 third-grade teacher Sarah Glidden, 2026-2027 special education teacher Darcy Greenwood and summer school teachers Ryan Melkert, Chelsie Brolsma, Darcy Greenwood, Teresa Jensen and Karis Hagen.

— After comparing the Brady Martz and Clifton Larsen auditor’s quotes, the board approved the quote for auditing services for 2026-2028 from Brady Martz, who will report virtually from the office in Fargo.

The Martin County West School Board will meet at 6 p.m. on June 15 at Sherburn Elementary School.