The Fairfax R-3 School Board held a regular meeting October 15, 2020. Mike Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Sam O’Riley, Jon Graves, Chris Smith, Josh Oswald, and Brett Johnson, board members; Jeremy Burright, superintendent; Dustin Barnes, principal; Karen Burke, secretary; and Melanie Lucas and Kristi Duering, CTA representatives. Miles Smith was absent.
A thank you was expressed to those who donated to the Vernon Rhoades memorial.
The agenda was approved as presented with additions.
Financial Report
R3160
• Last year total YTD revenues totaled $248,328
• This year total YTD revenues totaled $208,875
• Last year total YTD expenses totaled $350,646
• This year total YTD expenses total $317,730
5.2.A. Monthly
Reconciliation
5.2.A.1: 2019-20 year expenditures were $105,511, and revenues were $212,289
5.2.A.2: 2020-21 year expenditures were $74,902, and revenues were $168,757.
5.2.B.: Monthly
Budget Comparison
5.2.C: Fund Balance Report
• Last year YTD $918,355
• This year YTD $1,110,287
The October monthly bills in the amount of $105,196.33 were reviewed and approved for payment.
Superintendent’s
Report
• ECC Contract Update: Talked with the vice-president of the corporate and the agreement was to deduct $10,000
• Taking one day per month to work with Kerry on maintenance tasks.
• Transportation Update: Fairfax R-3 is working with Apple bus and splitting the cost of transportation to Vo Tech with Mound City and Craig. This arrangement began as an emergency last year and continued into this fall. Because of the work on Hwy. 46 Apple notified Fairfax that they would now be partnering with Tarkio, Rock Port, and West Nodaway for transportation. This arrangement did not involve a contract and is cheaper overall for Fairfax.
• Board Training: According to MSBA the board training offered by MUSIC in the past is no longer sufficient for annual board refresher training. However, board members can do a single session together and project it in order to fulfill the requirements. Dr. Burright will work on setting this up. The school has until March 2021.
• Title IX decision maker training is tomorrow.
Principal’s Report
Mr. Barnes reported on general information about the quarter ending and parent/teacher conferences.
• Teachers – PD Update: They are working on revising and rewriting the curriculum, updating it to the newest Missouri Learning Standards. Some of it was rewritten a couple of years ago and just needs some revision. Some curriculums were still aligned to old standards and needs to be updated.
The following classroom updates were reported:
• Counselor: A virtual career day was held October 7. Students used Missouri Connections to learn about careers they may be interested in based on an interest survey. Next, they used that information to explore careers on Edge Factor and to make a plan for courses they want to pursue. They also worked on their four-year plans.
• Band: Drumline is preparing to send in their submission for the virtual drumline competition at Trenton.
• English: Using money donated by the Morgan Foundation, Mr. Barnes has purchased 39 books for the classroom library. He has selected a mix of young adult favorites and best sellers, classics, books for reluctant readers, and more, hoping to reignite a love for reading in junior high and high school students who often stop reading independently by the time they get to this age.
Mr. Barnes also reported on sports:
• The last home football game will be Friday, October 23, at Fairfax.
• District Volleyball is the week of October 26 at Rock Port.
• Junior high volleyball and football seasons are complete.
• Junior high basketball has started practice and their first game is Monday, October 26.
• High school winter sports practices for those not still competing in fall sports starts Monday, November 2.
• The first on-site drug test for extracurricular activities took place.
• Fairfax and Tarkio schools will each have their own postseason recognition for high school fall and winter athletics instead of a large banquet. Coaches will decide if it is a meal, or just drinks and dessert, etc. This will limit the crowd size and will make it more applicable for those in attendance.
• The 275 Conference meeting will be October 29. They will be discussing conference champions and possibly guidelines for winter sports. At this time, the consensus of the conference seems to lean more towards each school and community deciding what restrictions or regulations they will put into place, rather than a uniform conference rule. Some schools have expressed concern with winter indoor sports such as basketball as this usually draws large crowds and is in the middle of flu season as well. It will be much more difficult to allow for social distancing during basketball season without any spectator restrictions or guidelines.
––
The consent agenda was approved.
Hiring OPS is not recommended at this time. The estimated cost would be $115,000, which is over budget.
New Business
Board members voted unanimously to approve the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion in St. Joseph, Missouri, as the potential location for the 2021 prom.
The first of two equal payments to ACES is due October 31. Board members voted unanimously to approve the first payment of $8,243.55 to ACES for special education services.
Dr. Burright reviewed the October 2020 budget with the board. Board members voted unanimously to adopt the changes to the 2020-2021 district budget as presented.
Money from the county CARES Act could be used towards the purchase of a water bottle filling station. Water fountains are shut off and this would give the elementary, second and third floors access to cooled water bottles. Board members voted unanimously to approve the expenditure of $1,767 for installation and a one-year contract for a bottle filling station from Metro Pure Water.
After discussion about settlement for late completion, $41,657 is the amount due Electronic Contracting Company. It represents a $10,000 credit and does not include legal fees. Board members voted unanimously to make a single payment to ECC for $41,657.
Funds come through a matching grant that will allow the school to repair/upgrade many access points and extend the WiFi outside the building. Board members voted unanimously to approve the expenditure of grant money up to $11,000 for hardware and services related to extending the district’s WiFi capabilities.
Student laptops would be purchased through COVID money if approved. Funds come from state or county money or a combination of both. Board members voted to approve the purchase of student laptops and accompanying services and software in the amount of $6,996.50.
Board members also unanimously approved the snow bid from Todd Fogg for $350 per push and $30 per bag of ice melt.
The next regular board meeting will be Thursday, November 19, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. The regular board meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
