The return to school was a smooth one for Mathews County Public Schools, according to superintendent Nancy Welch, who provided a brief update during Tuesday’s school board meeting, which was held in the Mathews High School media center.

Enrollment is slightly above the figure the 2022-2023 budget was based on. As of Tuesday, there are a total of 921 students enrolled in pre-Kindergarten through 12th grades. Subtracting the 25 pre-K students (who do not count toward state funding) leaves Mathews with an Average Daily Membership of 896, which is six above the 890 ADM figure upon which the current budget is based.

The custodial staff did an amazing job getting the schools ready for the Aug. 29 opening, Welch said, with all the major building systems such as HVAC and water up and running on Day One. In recognition of their hard work, the custodians were presented certificates of appreciation at the start of Tuesday’s meeting.

Speaking of facilities, Welch said the HVAC installati...