The Fairfax R-3 School Board met February 19, 2025. Miles Smith called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Also in attendance were: Brett Johnson, Shelby Hurst, Chance Clement, Crystal Woodring, Treyvor Umbarger and Courtney Grossman, board members; Nick Kemerling, superintendent; Karen Burke, secretary; and Lauren Clark, Lexi Heck, and Melanie Lucas, CTA members.

The agenda was approved as presented.

Consent Agenda

Board members reviewed the minutes of the January 23, 2025, regular and executive sessions.

In the financial report, it was reported that the fund balance as of January 31, 2025, was $2,843,693.

The monthly bills were approved for payment.

Superintendent’s Report

The D.A. tank on the boiler which holds the return water was replaced on February 17 by Waldinger of St. Joseph. This tank was fabricated to fit through the two doorways and navigate the stairs down to the boiler area. Due to the weight of the tank, anchors were secured in the block wall to lower the tank down the stairs.

The FACS/AG room furnace quit working last week. Hometown Comfort of Rock Port was contacted and it was determined that the furnace needed to be replaced. Eric Bressler had the furnace replaced within three days. He will return to do exhaust work on the roof when the weather allows.

One of the furnaces in the library quit this morning. Eric Bressler was contacted. He removed the blower motor, and had it fixed before noon.

Jeff Jobes was contacted this morning regarding a large water/steam leak in the art room register. He will be picking up parts in the morning, then fixing the issue. Jeff also looked at a dishwasher issue and will be repairing that once parts arrive. The washer/dryer combo also quit working this morning. Jeff gave contact information of a dealer in Clarinda to contact for a replacement.

The school has been approached about the possibility of getting more AED machines.

The board was updated on EA Wolves’ activities and upcoming events.

Principal’s Report

The 70th annual County Band Day was held February 3 in Rock Port.

The Atchison County Spelling Bee was held February 4 at Fairfax R-3 School. Aliyah Pearce was the winner and Brody Landess was an alternate.

AMI days have been in effect twice as of this report.

Teachers are in the process of completing SLO’s and evaluations will be completed in time for the March meeting.

Plans are in the works to expand/create an Early Childhood Special Education classroom for the three special needs preschool students who need services. So far the hiring of personnel has been the primary roadblock.

State testing will occur in the month of April and staff are reviewing possible schedules.

Play Day is scheduled for May 2.

New Business

The following payments were approved: Falls City Mercantile, $3,447.31 for food items; First Student, $1,453.92 for December Vo-Tech transportation; and EUNA, $2,725 for SpedTrack services.

There was discussion on the co-op agreement which would take effect with spring 2025 baseball, and include high school and junior high football fall 2025, and baseball spring 2025-26. Craig will be in charge of their own transportation. If Craig does not provide a coach in an area of need, there will be a $500/athlete fee. Board members voted unanimously to approve the presented co-op agreement between Tarkio, Fairfax, and Craig.

There was discussion on the 2024-25 calendar. Current projected hours are: 1,036.655. The calendar modification will allow for a 1:08 p.m. dismissal instead of 12:08 p.m. dismissal on February 26, 2025 (adding one hour) and a full day on April 17, 2025 (adding 6.617 hours). Total projected hours after the calendar modification are 1,044.272. Board members voted unanimously to modify the 2024-25 school year calendar with the changes recommended to make up for missed hours due to weather.

The board reviewed the presented 2025-2026 school calendar and looked at the changes. Board members voted to adopt the 2025-2026 calendar as presented.

Discussion was held on the HUDL agreement. This service is for athletic event filming and will cost $14,500 per year. This is a $500 per year increase from the previous contract which is set to expire this summer. This is an EA Wolves shared expense. Board members voted to approve a three year contract for HUDL video hosting/sharing/streaming services.

Co-op representatives Miles Smith and Crystal Woodring shared with the board the items that were discussed at the co-op meeting, including the mission statement, general discussion, sixth grade participation, coaching, and the co-op agreement.

A donation was made to help pay for Boys and Girls State tuition. Board members voted to accept the donations in the amount of $300 from both the Masonic Lodge and Fairfax Optimist Club.

Mr. Kemerling discussed the House Bill 711 open enrollment with the board members. The board approved a resolution showing the district’s opposition to HB711.

Board members voted to approve a school bus driver or contract with First Student for prom and after prom transportation.

Erate Bid Proposal

All bids were added for review, but Midwest Data Center comes in top of the school’s scoring rubric mainly due to being local, familiarity of services, and there would be no transition which would happen if the school switched providers. Board members voted unanimously to accept Midwest Data Center as Fairfax R-3 School’s majority internet and hardware provider for the next three years.

The next regular board meeting will be Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.