Fairfax R-3 Board of Education met July 20, 2017. Board Vice-President Jon Graves called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Board members present were Chris Smith, Mike Lewis, Doug Miller, and Marshal Oswald (6:31 p.m.). Absent were Sam O’Riley and Josh Oswald. Others present were Fairfax R-3 Superintendent Jeremy Burright, Fairfax Principal Dustin Barnes, and Secretary Karen Burke. Representatives from the class of 2017 were also present.
Jon Graves presented the agenda, which was approved as presented. The board reviewed the minutes from the June 15, 2017, regular board meeting. The board also reviewed the financial report and the monthly reconciliation report indicating a liquid balance of $392,625.95 as of June 30, 2017. Dr. Burright reviewed the fund balance with the board, indicating a total balance of all institutions at $887,259.38 as of July 20, 2017. The July monthly bills in the amount of $39,361.36 were reviewed and approved for payment.
K-12 Principal’s Report
• Gym closed starting on July 20th – First week of August for cleaning.
• Dead week starts Saturday, July 22, and goes through Sunday, July 30. Facilities closed for athletic practices and camps.
• High school athletic practices start Monday, July 31, at 7:30 a.m. in Tarkio.
• Registration – Wednesday, August 9, from 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. in the school library.
• 7th grade orientation-Wednesday, August 9, at 6:00 p.m.
• Teacher work days start Monday, August 14.
• First day of school, Thursday, August 17.
• EA volleyball scrimmage, August 17, at 5:00 p.m. at Tarkio.
• First football game is Friday, August 8, at Southwest Livingston (Ludlow).
• EA Wolves volleyball tournament will take place on August 24th and 26th at both Tarkio and Fairfax locations.
• We will have Midwest Data in at the first of August to make sure all computers are back up and running for the teachers when they get back.
• Fairfax alumni have donated money to digitize all of our composites. They are currently with WC Farmer who is getting them digitized for us. We are planning on attempting to add a link under the school website alumni page to display all of them.
• Update on Project Lead the Way: To date we have received $2,000 in donations – $1,000 each from the Kiwanis Club and Xi Lambda Beta.
• Working on meeting with all Fairfax and Tarkio Administration to go over coop details and bring everyone up to speed on current procedures and direction.
• Looking forward to a great school year!
Superintendent’s Report
• A correction needs to be made to our fund 4 account. Doug Miller made a motion to transfer $7,337.36 from fund 1 to fund 4 for the cost of software and technology to correct the deposit in fund 4. Mike Lewis seconded the motion and the board approved it.
• Windows: The third floor windows are too high and too heavy for our summer crew to manage. The windows have already been purchased, bids have been taken to finish the project. We received two bids. Mike Lewis made a motion to accept Tenn Harbin’s bid to do the window job. Doug Miller seconded the motion and the board approved it.
• Water Drainage: When the sewer was repaired for the locker room, it was discovered that the downspout from the gym roof drained into the city waste system. The city feels the roof needs to drain to the North or South edge of the property and go into the storm drainage. This could be a costly project. We will talk with the city and check for more information.
• Lighting in Parking Lot: We need lights in the cafeteria parking lot for security purposes. Dr. Burright will get some prices and check options.
• Commodities bids have been put in.
• Tax levy paper work is done. We will have an open tax hearing on August 17th at 6:25.
• The tax levy has to be submitted in September.
The board voted to approve the consent agenda.
Tarkio does not want to share a bus at this point. Dr. Burright will check with Central States on the bus grant and will talk with an Apple bus representative. Mike Lewis made a motion to postpone definitely until the next board meeting. Chris Smith seconded the motion and the board approved it.
Doug Miller made a motion to cash in the CD with BAC in Florida in the amount of $148,664.51 to be moved into fund 1. Chris Smith seconded the motion and the board approved it.
Because we are a new board/superintendent partnership and because we wish to run a levy increase this year, it is recommended that we spend time discussing and defining roles, means of communication, board meeting procedures, and vision for the district. Dr. Burright would like to meet with each board member independently and then bring discussion back as a board to consolidate ideas and develop a single vision.
Tax Rate Hearing: Mike Lewis made a motion to have the tax rate hearing meeting at 6:25 p.m. on August 17 with the regular board meeting to follow. Doug Miller seconded the motion and the board approved it.
Class of 2017 fund raising money. Dr. Burright’s recommendation was given to the Board of Education for a one time board override of Regulation 3100 for the class of 2017. Doug Miller made a motion to go with Dr. Burright’s recommendation. Chris Smith seconded the motion and the board approved it.
Recommendation to modify Policy 3100: Mike Lewis made a motion to approve Policy 3100 as modified with the modification of removing B and D and in C changing the wording current students to current classes. Doug Miller seconded the motion and the board approved it.
The regular board meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.