FAIRMONT — The Fairmont School Board on Tuesday heard from activities director Mat Mahoney, who offered highlights of the previous school year and a preview of what’s to come.

“Last year, we had a really good year in the activities department,” he said. “We had four teams make it to the state tournament and we had a handful of individuals compete at the state level.”

He noted the achievements of Emma Koehler, won went to state for Triple A, track & field and cross country; coach Bob Bonk, who was named girls cross country national coach of the year; and Luke Becker, a Fairmont graduate who was drafted by a Major League Baseball team.

Mahoney also said he has been tracking student violations, which include chemical violations and code of conduct violations. During the 2016-17 school year, there were 53 student violations, with 31 from students in some sort of activity or sport. Last year (2017-18), there were 45 violations, but only four from students in an activity or sport.

“It was really fun to see the student athletes behaving and being good kids not just in the classroom but also out on the streets,” Mahoney said. “It was a really successful year.”

He said that going into this year, there are 43 activities, including sports, clubs, drama and fine arts. Of the 43 activities, all advisers will return this year.

“We have a total of 416 kids out for a fall sport,” Mahoney noted.

He also talked to the board about the Minnesota State High School League’s video, “Why We Play,” which began in 2015. The purpose is the education behind sports and the value of playing. Mahoney said each head coach in the district has created a purpose statement describing what they hope to accomplish and what lessons they hope to provide students. More information on the video can be found on the website: www. mshsl.org

Turning to another matter, the board heard from Fairmont Elementary Principal Jim Davison regarding the elementary school family handbook.

“There are not any changes in here at all,” he said. “In all my years of doing this, I’ve never had a year when we haven’t had any changes.”

Davison said the school worked to perfect the handbook over previous years. This year, several groups including summer school parents, deans of students, social workers and the Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports teams all read the handbook and could not find anything they wanted to change.

The board approved the handbook.

In other business, the board accepted the following two-year contract settlements, all of which will receive 50-cent per hour increases each year of the agreement: aides, bus drivers, online computer instructors and media technicians.

In other news, the board:

o Approved a medical leave request for Pam Brolsma beginning Aug. 27 and extending through Jan. 19

o Approved the employment of Jessica Carson as a long-term substitute to fill in for Pam Brolsma.

o Approved a medical leave request for Rusty Burnham beginning Aug. 9 and extending through Sept. 6.

o Approved the resignation of Kathleen Davison, Title I aide, who has served the district since 2008.