The Fairfax R-3 Board of Education met April 18, 2019, at the School Library. Board president Mike Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m. Present were board members Josh Oswald, Sam O’Riley, Chris Smith, and Jon Graves. Marshal Oswald was absent. Others present were Fairfax R-3 Superintendent Jeremy Burright, K-12 Principal Dustin Barnes, and board secretary Karen Burke. Representing the CTA were Deb Wyatt and Donna Million.
A congratulatory letter was read for Fairfax R-3 being accredited once again.
The board reviewed the minutes from the March regular and executive meetings and the April special meeting. The board reviewed the financial report and the monthly reconciliation report indicating a liquid balance of $1,460,689.81. Dr. Burright reviewed the fund balance with the board, indicating a total balance of all institutions at $98,988.00
The April monthly bills in the amount of $82,468.29 were reviewed and approved for payment.
Lease Purchase Update: The current balance is $246,649.42 (which does not show the recently approved payment).
Insurance Clearing Account: The current balance is $201,355 (roofing project).
Superintendent’s Report
Insurance and Salary Schedule: The board was presented information regarding the MPR insurance rates for 2019-20. Currently the district pays 77% of the least expensive, individual premium. This equates to $389.82 per month for those employees that opt-in to the school’s plan. If the district chose to pay the same percentage cost from the new premium, the amount would be $586.54.
Construction Update: All construction should be finished April 19. The total construction cost was $1,800 more than what had been originally budgeted. This includes change orders that needed to be made for repairs to the drain in the junior high boys’ locker room, the installation of a light over the gym entrance, and the repair of a sewer drain in the ceiling of the faculty workroom.
The roofers will once again be here this summer to remove and reinstall the roofs on the new gym and connecting areas. The insurance claim from 17-18 is still covering these roof repairs.
Transportation: One bus is back in the shop for repairs after the highway patrol inspections on April 8. It should be back on site soon and re-inspected on April 22. Money from the DNR grant for the new bus has been received and the bus has been ordered. The local volunteer firefighters will be in charge of demolishing bus 95 after the new bus comes in.
Personnel Restructuring: With special education numbers being down and Mrs. Seymour retiring, there has been some rearranging with some personnel assignments. The enrollment cap in preschool has been increased and a para assigned to this half-day program. Also, Miss Lauren Clark will gain the responsibilities of the speech implementer.
Principal’s Report
The high school band earned a 1 rating at contest! Pre-K and kindergarten screening took place April 10. There are six kindergarteners at this point and 13 potential preschoolers.
Textbook and curriculum needs and wants are being evaluated at this point.
Elementary Field Day will be held May 3.
MAP Testing – The elementary window is starting on April 29. The junior high and EOC testing window will begin May 6.
Mr. Barnes reported they are working on finalizing the master schedule for next year.
Mrs. Hedlund will be working with students on their scheduling and four-year plans soon.
Senior trip will be May 9 and 10.
The Alumni Banquet will be held the evening of May 17.
Graduation will be held May 19 at 1:00 p.m.
Finals will take place the week of May 20.
The Academic Assembly will be held May 24.
Fairfax R-3 will be having half days on May 23 and May 24. Teachers will work in the afternoon to get checked out and to fulfill their checkout day contract.
All spring sports are off and running. They are working on extra-duty coaching assignments with Tarkio and have many covered.
The Fall and Spring Athletic Banquet will be held May 21.
Board members voted to approve the consent agenda.
The discussion on bleachers was tabled.
Approval of Graduates: Board members voted to approve the 2019 slate of Fairfax graduates pending completion of graduation requirements.
Extra Duty Assignments: Board members voted to approve the 2019-20 slate of extra duty assignments as presented.
Aces Social Worker Letter of Intent: Tabled until May.
Chromebook purchase: Board members voted to approve the purchase of chromebooks from the Project Lead The Way donations at a cost of $6,830.
A bill from Paula’s Cafe in the amount of $1,137.50 was received after the deadline for the board meeting. Because of the flooding in Craig and the impact on Paula’s Cafe, it was decided to pay this bill now rather than wait until after the May board meeting. All funds come from the class of 2020 SA account.
The next regular board meeting will be Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 6:30 p.m.
