Submitted by Jeremy Burright, Superintendent
The Fairfax R-3 School Board met in regular and executive session February 17, 2022, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the school library. The next regular board meeting will be March 17, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. in the school library. The board will have an open work session regarding the district budget on March 7, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. Both sessions are open to the public.
The Boosters were thanked for the purchase of a backpack vacuum.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Burright thanked Lauren Clark for presenting information about the Reading Olympics program. Ms. Clark discussed how this program works, what the prizes will be, and who is currently in the lead. This program is designed to encourage reading outside of the classroom.
The district fund balance is at $2,085,362 which is $188,336 more than last year at this time. All bills were approved for payment. Year-to-date revenues are $1,854,920 and year-to-date expenditures are $1,219,125. A number of possible changes were discussed regarding the budget for 2022-23. The most controversial possibility was the reduction in staff through not filling the FCSE position. This change is one of many significant changes that were discussed in order to increase teacher pay to a possible $35,500 base, hire a full-time maintenance position, and hire a para to manage online learning. At this time, we are still in the discussion phase. We will continue to look at all potential ways of reallocating our current revenue to fulfill the need for a better employment package and facilities that are well-kept. Other potential sources come from an early pay-off of the lease purchase debt and reducing expenditure allocations in athletic travel and in SPED purchased services.
Overall, initial estimates indicate the proposal discussed with the board still allows the district to place over $500,000 in our reserves over the life of the 2018 levy. Originally, we estimated only adding around $22,000 to our reserves by the time our levy expires in 2025. We will continue to discuss possibilities for our budget in the March 7 work session, which will be open to the public. Our board is committed to having a district that is financially strong, with facilities that are well cared for, and a staff that is highly qualified and committed to our district. We are committed to doing that with our current level of revenues so that we can demonstrate good fiscal stewardship to our community.
Facilities – Due to the high cost of our single facility improvement bid, the board decided not to accept the bid and to explore other avenues for the completion of the identified work. The board discussed, and tabled, the proposal to place thermometers in the classrooms. Our third quarter cleanliness surveys indicate we need to improve our ability to repair the facility and to be able to keep areas clean that are often skipped because staff must be reassigned. While dusting was an issue in all areas, on the bright side there were areas that many feel were satisfactory. The full survey results are available upon request.
Transportation – We have finally found a 10 passenger van and the board approved a budget item of $38,000 for this purchase. Due to the cost of the vehicle we have found, the board increased the original line item for this purchase from $30,000.
Federal Programs
Teacher Surveys – questions:
• Strengths: Teachers felt aligning lessons to standards and curriculum and school climate were strengths.
• Opportunities: Teachers felt that our budget and collective work on strategic planning were areas where we have opportunities for improvement.
Community Surveys – questions:
• Strengths – Communication regarding learning, school climate, and school safety.
• Opportunities – Budget, classroom discipline (fairness), community voice with planning and policy.
Personnel – Teacher retention survey data:
• Strengths – Admin. support, calendar, daily schedule, workload were all items that indicated positive results.
• Opportunities – Pay, insurance, physical working conditions, and stress level were all items that indicated an opportunity for improvement.
• Eleven out 18 respondents indicated they planned to stay in teaching and the same number indicated they were comfortable staying at Fairfax indefinitely.
Leave rewrite was discussed with the board and an opportunity for questions was presented. Final approval is scheduled for March 17.
Dr. Burright discussed the information presented in his communication plan to the board. The biggest change will be quarterly submissions to the local paper along with quarterly status checks. The superintendent communication plan will be posted on our website on the superintendent’s page.
New Business
The board rejected the Herner bid of $325,000 for facility improvements.
The board identified repairing water drainage on the east side of the new gym, concrete work around the building, and playground safety as short-term facility priorities in that order.
The board tabled the lease purchase payoff, revised salary schedule, full-time maintenance position (22-23), and online learning para for the March 17 open session.
The board approved the 2022-23 district calendar as presented.
The following other items were also approved:
• AVG antivirus purchase, $1,639
• Optimist Basketball Tournament fee waiver
• Payment to Midwest Recreational for snow removal, $1,050
• Payment to Atchison County for election costs, $1,471
• Payment to Gallagher Bassett for liability insurance, $1,619
• Asbestos removal by Gerken Environmental for $13,200 which will be paid by insurance
• Elementary floor replacement by FDC for $43,300
In executive session, Fairfax R-3 K-12 Principal Dustin Barnes’ contract was renewed and extended one additional year. Mr. Barnes was approved as the EA Wolves’ Golf Coach.
