The Fairfax R-3 School Board held a regular meeting June 26, 2025. Miles Smith called the meeting to order at 6:28 p.m. Also in attendance were: Brett Johnson, Stephanie Stevens, Crystal Woodring, Treyvor Umbarger, Courtney Grossman and Shelby Hurst, board members; Nick Kemerling, superintendent; and Karen Burke, secretary.

Visitors

Jill Kingery spoke to the board requesting the possibility of surveys being sent to the community to have their voices heard. She also spoke of her concerns of the Edgenuity in Science class and also fulfilling teacher assignments. She touched on the surface of the football field and how FYF helped to raise the money for the bleachers.

Sheriff Andy Riley spoke to the board about the possibility of bringing back the school resource officer program and what it might look like for the school’s side of the budget to help support it.

Agendas

The agenda was approved as presented.

Board members reviewed the following minutes: May 22 – regular and executive, May 30 – special executive, June 3 – open and special executive, June 23 – special executive, and June 24 – special executive

The financial report was also reviewed. The all fund balance was $2,551,921.62 as of April 30, 2025.

The monthly bills in the amount of $35,967.90 were reviewed and approved.

Superintendent’s Report

Mr. Kemerling gave updates on the summer building projects, floors, mowing, and gutters. A community member asked permission to work on the school grounds for betterment projects. Something to keep in mind is the Fairfax School Centennial 100 years dedication (March 19, 1926). A co-op meeting was held with discussion only and there is nothing to approve at this time. The proposal from Rock Port to start up a softball program will be discussed.

New Business

Board members voted to approve the following payments:

• Riddell, $3,092.45 for the reconditioning of 11 helmets and the purchase of six smaller helmets for the junior high team.

• S&S Appliance, Clarinda, Iowa, $1,269.96 for the purchase of a stackable washer/dryer combo.

• Rentavan Lincoln, $2,990.37. This was for the minivan the school leased during the junior high track season to help with transportation of a large number of spring sports participants.

• WBN Lawncare, $1,200 for May mowing and trimming.

• Tuition reimbursements to Melanie Lucas, $2,346, and Jayme Koop, $2,514, for the spring semester.

• Hillyard, invoices in the amount of $1,326.02 and $1,394.90.

• First Student, $1,235.52 for May transportation.

There was discussion on the SLP fee for the 2025-26 school year. Previously, Fairfax R-3 has paid 20% of Mound City’s SLP’s salary, but Fairfax was using her services more than 20% of the time. Board members unanimously approved the updated salary of $21,500 payable $10,760 per semester for the 2025-26 school year to Mound City for SLP services.

There was discussion on changes to the 2025-26 EA Wolves handbook. Changes include the following: addition of junior high athletics philosophy, listing co-op colors of silver, black, and orange accent, adding Craig to list of 275 Conference schools, allowing parents to contact the building principal to allow other parents to sign out their child for ride home from game, updated dual sports procedures, and updated gate fee for home ball games. Board members voted to approve the 2025-26 EA Wolves Handbook as presented.

Board members discussed the AMI Plan. A total of 76% of parents surveyed responded they are in favor of using AMI days when applicable. Board members voted unanimously to use AMI days when necessary to allow Fairfax R-3 to count virtual learning days toward the required school calendar, preventing the need to add extra days at the end of the year.

The original bid for the playground fencing project was given by Bundy Fencing of St. Joseph. That bid has expired. Board members voted to add/update the fencing on the playground at a cost of up to $8,000.

The school’s current credit card holders will be leaving the district so the names on the school credit cards need to be updated. Board members voted to add Karen Burke and Laura Wright as card holders for the school’s Bank of America cards.

The budget document was shared and reviewed. Board members voted to approve the Fairfax R-3 2025-2026 budget as presented with estimated revenues of $2,668,572.64 and estimated expenditures of 2,651,616.84.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 p.m.