The Fairfax R-3 School Board of Education met November 17, 2021.

All bills were approved for payment. The school’s fund balance was $1,232,007.

Five out of six board members completed board member refresher training November 16. This is an annual requirement for board members.

The board had a discussion November 16 regarding Thanksgiving break extension/calendar modification and ultimately voted not to extend Thanksgiving break. The board assigned Dr. Burright the task of working with the school’s staff regarding the extension of Fairfax R-3’s spring break. The school must fulfill requirements to be in session 1,044 hours. Any instructional time lost that would put total instructional hours below 1,044 must be made up.

When compared to this time last year, the food prices for the school’s lunch program have increased by over $5,000. They are going to be looking at ways to reduce this cost and ensure consistent delivery of food items.

The school will be working with community members to create a walkthrough space on the east side of the football field gate.

The school received a grant in the amount of $3,000 that will be used for air purifiers in some of the student/public restrooms.

The school is down to one reliable bus. Others are scheduled for what is hoped are minor repairs and bus 5 will be receiving an overhaul. The estimate from Vander Haag’s in Council Bluffs for the bus 5 overhaul was approved at $7,079.67.

School officials are working on submitting items to fulfill the DESE CAP.

The board reviewed the data collection framework for the school’s annual Title needs assessment.

The board also reviewed the framework for a teacher retention survey.

The 2020-21 audit was approved as presented.

The updated fee structure from the architect was approved, not to exceed $42,500. Any district construction that falls within the mandatory bid statute must also involve the supervision of an architect or engineer.

The board approved payment to Northwest Mechanical in the amount of $4,506.

There was discussion about the number of current COVID-19 quarantines.

The hiring of Kameron Schieffer as a half-time assistant,  wrestling coach was approved.

The school board met again December 17, 2021. The next school board meeting will be Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.