The Fairfax R-3 School District Board of Education met February 12, 2024. Jon Graves, board president, called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Also in attendance were: Brett Johnson, Chance Clement, Crystal Woodring, Miles Smith, Treyvor Umbarger and Theresa Larson, board members; Nick Kemerling, superintendent; Jeremy Burright, principal; and Karen Burke, secretary.
Monica Bailey with ACDC talked to the board and handed out a flier with information with reasons as to why we should vote yes to renew the economic development sales tax.
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as presented.
Consent Agenda
Board members reviewed minutes of the November meeting, and the financial report.
The monthly bills in the amount of $285,340.21 were approved for payment.
Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Kemerling updated the board with the facility projects. The bell/paging/door is finished. The school has received bids for floor tiles/removal and disposal. Tuckpointers were here but do not have a bid ready at this time.
Principal’s Report
Dr. Burright reported on several activities, including County Band Day, the 100th day of school, courtwarming, FCCLA Week, and Senior Night.
The PD Committee and administration are meeting to work on the PD schedule for next year. Tentative dates have been identified and they will be working with staff to determine a focus for PD days. One focus that will most likely be mandated for teachers is LETRS training. This is PD on the methodology for literacy. Elementary and high school ELA will most likely be required to complete this training. Training in LETRS takes place over the summer and would require an additional time commitment from teachers.
Dr. Burright also shared information on reading scores.
Consent Agenda Approval
The consent agenda was approved.
New Business
Fairfax R-3 is talking with Tarkio about the cost of transporting Vo-Tech students together next year. They currently use a school van to transport students. Board members voted to approve payment to First Student in the amount of $1,302.96 for January Vo-Tech transportation.
The school currently has $2,200 left from the grant used to pay for Connections Counseling and Wellness. These funds are scheduled to run out in early March. Board members voted to make the payment of $1,919.40 to Connections Counseling and Wellness for January services.
The condensate pump and float located in the kindergarten room were replaced. Payment of $5,470 to Waldinger Co. for boiler repairs was approved.
The furnace unit that heats the second grade room and elementary SPED room recently stopped working. Meek and Sons determined the unit was bad. These units are scheduled to last 20 years. Board members approved payment of $3,850 to Meek and Sons for a new furnace unit and repair of exhaust pipe in the elementary.
Payment of $2,612.04 to Falls City Mercantile for food service items purchased in January was approved.
The 2024-25 school year calendar has been viewed by staff and was ready for board review. Board members voted unanimously to approve the 2024-2025 calendar as presented.
Board members voted to make payment up to $2,844.95 to Windstar Lines for bus rental to the after prom event.
Board members approved payment of $44,320 to MUSIC for insurance. This is a 14% raise in rates from last year ($38,787), which is less than other districts in the area. The rise was due to rates holding steady for the past several years and an increase in payouts due to natural disasters and workman’s comp claims.
The next regular meeting is March 20, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
