The Fairfax R-3 Board of Education met January 16, 2020. Board president Mike Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Jon Graves, Chris Smith, Sam O’Riley, Doug Miller, and Josh Oswald, board members; Fairfax R-3 Superintendent Jeremy Burright; K-12 Principal Dustin Barnes; Secretary Karen Burke; and Shelby Hurst and Lexi Heck, CTA representatives. Board member Marshal Oswald was absent.

A thank you card and donation to the art department was received from the family of Dana Osburn for the use of the building.

Mike Lewis presented the agenda and it was approved.

Financial Report/Monthly Reconciliation:

5.1 Approval of the minutes of the November 19 Regular Meeting R0411.

5.2 Financial Report R3160

5.2.A. 2018-19 Year Expenses $223,294; Revenue $207,199; 2019-20 Year Expenses $263,246, Revenue $338,705

Note: Monthly expenses are $39,952 higher than in 18-19 and revenue is $131,506 higher than 18-19. Also, the most recent payments from the county for property taxes put the property tax revenue $100,000 over the school’s budgeted amount.

5.2.B. Monthly Budget Comparison

5.2.C. Fund Balance Report: $889,439 2019 – 20 / $665,442

Payment of Bills:

The January monthly bills in the amount of $127,406.37 were reviewed and approved for payment.

Special Report:

Lease Purchase Account: $58,665. This will be used to pay for fire alarm installation and the remainder of the lockers. Locker payment has been submitted and it should show up next month.

Superintendent’s Report:

Construction Follow-Up: There will be a follow-up walk-through on the January 31 for construction ending in January 2020.

Transportation Update: The van goes in for repairs on January 20.

Proposed Calendar: No concerns/questions from staff. Calendar is for review in the board documents. Approval of the calendar will be done in February.

Proposed Salary Schedule: The school needs to be ready for a mandate from the state on minimum salary requirements. Dr. Burright’s last conversation with Nancy Greeley indicated that the state might also push to increase the minimum master’s salary to $40,000. This would have a detrimental effect on Fairfax’s long-term budget and if this happens without additional state funds, Fairfax R-3 would most likely need to go back to the voters prior to the end of the levy sunset to keep the district in the black over the long-term.

Principal’s Report:

Mr. Barnes reported on the following general information: Second semester has started and they have had to deal with some weather and a lot of sickness to start January 2020. Teachers had a work day on January 6. Tarkio Tech is hosting two career days at Tarkio Tech and some of the Fairfax students will be attending on January 29. There will be a half day dismissal on January 22 for Professional Development, and there is no school Monday, January 20. The Atchison County Spelling Bee will take place at Rock Port on February 5 at 2:00 p.m.

Athletics – The Fairfax Tournament is in progress.  Gates are slightly down from last year. They are working on contingency plans in the event of bad weather on Friday. The Northwest Missouri Tournament starts on January 27. Co-op applications have been accepted by MSHSAA.

There has been discussion about a variety of topics at MSHSAA area meetings, including: splitting girls’ and boys’ basketball seasons, varsity volleyball going to five sets next year, and possible expansion of junior membership to allow sixth graders to play.

Consent Agenda:

Board members approved the consent agenda.

New Business:

Board Candidate Ratification: (signatures needed). A special meeting for the ratification of candidates was set for January 22 at 7:30 a.m.

Approval of ECC fire alarm upgrade contract: The recommendation was for approval of the Electronic Contracting Company’s contract for fire alarm upgrades as presented. This is the final copy of the ECC contract which has been reviewed multiple times by legal and includes a clear completion date and damage of $500 per day if they go beyond this date. The ECC fire alarm contract was approved as presented.

Board members approved the Class of 2020 senior trip itinerary as presented.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m. The next regular board meeting will be Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at 6:30 p.m.