The Fairfax R-3 Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting February 18, 2021, followed by an executive meeting for personnel. Financial information for the district was reviewed , which consisted of the following information:

Year to date revenues for the 2020-2021 school year are $1,753,519 and expenses are $1,075,446. This compares with last year’s revenues of $1,723,040 and expenses of $1,106,936.

Revenues and expenses for the month of January were reviewed and indicate that revenues for January 2021 were $1,043,549 and expenses were $169,746.

The current fund balance is $1,897,026, which is an increase over 19-20.

All bills were approved for payment.

The district also still has $6,036 in its lease purchase account which must be spent on the district facilities.

The district is receiving approximately $100,000 in ESSER II money which will most likely be spent on costs related to activities necessary to maintain LEA operations and services and employ existing staff. This means the district will use that money in 2021-2022 to offset normal expenses and free up money in its general revenue. The money in general revenue can then be spent as the district desires.

Snow Day Makeup

Makeup days are May 13 (full) and May 14 (half). The district has used 32.9 hours of distance learning hours out of 36 total. Each district is only allowed 36 total hours of distance learning to substitute for inclement weather. There have been two actual snow days which requires the district to make up the time. With the May makeup days, the school will have 1,045.05 hours for the year. Future snow days will need to be made up. If possible, the district will use its remaining distance learning hours, so parents should be prepared.

Sub Pay Increase

The board approved a new daily rate for short-term substitutes of $85.00 per day. Long-term substitutes will still make the same, $100.00 per day.

General Discussion

The board members reviewed the long-term financial plan, how it relates to the plan for the facilities, and to the sunset of the district’s levy. The board also quickly discussed how a bond issue allows districts to continuously have a budget for facility repair and upgrades. Please keep in mind that it is not the intent of the board or district administration to run a bond issue, this discussion was for information only.

The board members dis-cussed potential projects which might be completed with the general revenue “freed-up” from the allocation of the ESSER II funds.

The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. The next regular meeting will be March 18, 2021, in the school library.