The Fairfax R-3 School Board of Education met April 16, 2025. Miles Smith, board president, called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. Board members present were Brett Johnson, Shelby Hurst, Stephanie Stevens, Crystal Woodring, Treyvor Umbarger, and Courtney Grossman. Others present were Nick Kemerling, superintendent; Karen Burke, secretary; and members of the staff.
The agenda was approved as presented.
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda was approved. It included the following:
Review of minutes of the March 20 regular and executive meetings and April 1 special and special executive meetings.
The board asked for a budget comparison from previous year to date.
The fund balance report was reviewed and bills were approved for payment.
Superintendent’s Report
The applicant for the science position has decided not to pursue the opportunity at this time.
Midwest Data Center will start working on the gym sound system project soon. They will also be adjusting the camera angles on the south door safety feature
They are still waiting on additional bids for the playground fencing project which will be needed prior to the start of next school year.
Wyatt Noel from Oregon will once again be mowing the banks while the school mows the football field, playground around, north lot, and around the buildings
Galen Vernon will be spraying weeds around the buildings and will work on the fence and ditch areas on the football field when he has appropriate weather. He will also be treating the areas outside of the track for moles.
Jeremy Lewis treated the football field in March as part of his five times per year schedule. He also delivered grass seed to fix some bad spots on the football field
Mr. Vernon will be scraping and painting the exterior portion of the band entryway, along with replacing some of the wood that has rotted.
Mr. Vernon and Mr. Kemerling have started to compile and prioritize a summer project list and should have that completed early next month.
They are still waiting on volunteer availability to start the swingset project.
East Atchison Wolves Update
A report was given on spring high school and junior high sports. The Fairfax Scholar Bowl team qualified for the 275 Conference Great 8 Tournament. Cowen O’Riley was named Second Team All-Conference.
Coaches were working on the summer schedules.
Principal’s Report
The band performed April 4 and 5 at Branson.
Elementary Ag Day was held on Wednesday, April 9.
Preschool and kindergarten screenings were held. Eight kindergarten students and six preschool students were screened (including current students).
Other information shared included end-of-year activities, including the academic banquet, NHS induction, the seniors’ last day, senior trip, finals, the last day of school, awards assemblies, and graduation.
New Business
The following bills were approved:
First Student, $4,450.29. This payment includes Vo-Tech transportation, trip transportation, and prom transportation will come out of the junior class SA account.
Falls City Mercantile, $2,354.79. This is the cost of food for breakfast and lunch services.
There was discussion on what other benefits staff receive in addition to salary. Data was compiled to compare Fairfax R-3 against other schools in the area. Documentation was shared with the board.
Board members voted to approve the renewal of an expiring contract with Capital Business for the school’s copier services. The school’s yearly use was assessed and there is a five-year plan that should save $1,300 per year. Capital Business will also replace the three current machines with upgrades.
The senior class currently has $6,419.78 in their account and the trip should cost around $4,125. Board members voted to approve the itinerary and budget for the senior trip.
Board members approved the payment of $6,490 to Mound City for the second half of the school’s yearly SLP service. Fairfax R-3 shares an SLP with Mound City and pays 20% of her contract for 7.5 hours per week of service.
Board members voted to approve the payment of up to $12,652 to MEUHP for last year’s assessment.
After the administration intern position is posted for 10 days a candidate can be recommended to the board. This position will only be filled when the school has in-house candidates who currently have a degree in administration, or are enrolled in an administrative program. Board members voted unanimously to approve the creation of an administrative intern job for in-house candidates only to gain leadership experience through supervised, hands-on experience.
There was discussion on Vo-Tech transportation. Fairfax has been asked to consider switching Vo-Tech transportation from sharing with Mound City and Craig to joining Rock Port and Tarkio. The school would still benefit from First Student Transportation and the savings could be between $2,500 and $3,000/year.
Payment of $2,056.50 to Riddell for the purchase of six junior high football helmets was approved.
The meeting was then adjourned. The next regular board meeting is May 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
