The Fairfax R-3 School Board of Education met September 16, 2021. Present were: Brett Johnson, Jon Graves, Josh Oswald, Mike Lewis, Miles Smith, Sam O’Riley, and Theresa Larson, board members; Jeremy Burright, superintendent; Dustin Barnes, principal; Karen Burke, secretary; and Ryan and Jill Kingery.
All bills were approved for payment.
Jill Kingery addressed the board regarding the district’s change from valedictorian and salutatorian to the cum laude recognition system.
A donation of $966 from the Taylor McCartney Softball Tournament was received for the elementary school.
The financial report was reviewed. The current fund balance is $1,1,446,000. End of August expenditures were $80,499, and end of August revenue was $66,729.
Superintendent’s Report
The school is requesting bids for snow removal and will vote on snow removal in the October meeting.
The board will have a work session prior to the November regular meeting for compliance training.
The large gates at the football field will be locked in order to prevent vehicles from driving on the track. There will still be access for walkers and those who want to exercise.
There has been no follow-up for a comprehensive Sunshine Law request that was received in August. At this time they are not actively collecting data for this request.
The board discussed the potential scope of construction work for the summer of 2022. Included in the conversation was a new PK play area, a new area for swings and new swings. Additionally, they discussed the potential for new asphalt and the possible replacement of the drainage culvert that runs the length of the playground. The scope of this project is not finalized.
The board also discussed the possibility of paying off the lease purchase agreement early. Eliminating this debt would put about $70,000 per year back in the general budget that could be used on other needs within the district. Nothing was finalized on this item. The board will be reviewing the playground project and early payoff options and deciding which direction to go in October.
New Business
The board discussed the change from valedictorian and salutatorian to the cum laude system and gave the administration the directive to propose how the honors speeches would be assigned.
The budget was amended to include the additional revenue from increased local taxes and line items were included for the purchase of a new 10-passenger van and additional maintenance and repairs. While these purchases are not finalized, the school now has funds allocated to these items that would allow these purchases if or when the specific purchases are approved by the board. Additionally, the board approved a fund 1 to fund 4 transfer for $18,442.35 for the purchase of new cafeteria tables.
The board approved the 2021-2022 ACES contract for the school’s special education co-op.
The board approved changes to the following board policies and regulations. While these essential board policies are discussed with staff each year during compliance training, all board policies apply to staff members.
• Policies: 0320, 0324, 2420, 2710, 2770, 4120, 4320, 4322, 4867.
• Regulations: 4320
• Additionally, the board approved changes to policy 4630 preventing a staff member from participating in a romantic or sexual relationship with a student immediately after graduation.
The board approved the purchase of additional Chromebooks through a state grant.
The board approved payments to Rick Harrington and Josh Ohlensehlen for work on the elementary bathrooms.
The board approved the installation of four additional security cameras, two in the ag shop and two on the north side of the building.
The board approved two items for discussion in the next athletic co-op meeting: heat contingency for volleyball in the Fairfax gym and administrative presence at athletic events.
The board approved a preschool tuition waiver for PK students that are placed in quarantine or isolation by DHSS.
The board approved the sale of the old cafeteria tables by online auction with a reserve price of $50. A notification will be published in the Atchison County Mail for two consecutive weeks and the tables will also be placed on swap and shop.
The board approved the expenditure for the FFA trip to the national convention.
Old Business
The board discussed how wearing masks and being vaccinated still exempt individuals from quarantine.
They also discussed how the Missouri attorney general has started a class-action suit against Missouri school districts who have mask mandates in place.
No change was made to the school’s safety plan. They will continue to hold school without mask mandates, mandatory physical distancing, and without limiting visitors.
Citizens are asked to please remember that staying home while sick and proper hand hygiene are key elements in the school’s current safety plan that is still in place. Additionally, while there is less risk of contracting COVID from a surface, they still have materials to clean desks. Let them know if you need these materials.
The next board meeting is October 21, 2021, at 6:30 in the school library.
