FAIRMONT- The Fairmont School Board held their first meeting of the 2022-2023 academic year on Tuesday evening. Over the course of the proceedings they approved finances, employee contracts and other organizational items for the upcoming school year.

In his report to the board, Superintendent Andy Traetow noted that the district’s enrollment remains relatively unchanged, and as a result the amount of funding the district receives from the state is stable.

He also provided a series of updates for ongoing infrastructure projects.

The epoxy floors in the vocational center being built at Fairmont High School are approaching completion. Workers will soon begin to install the dust collection system in the building’s workshops. Delivery of the center’s air conditioning systems has been delayed and the district is installing a temporary alternative which will operate in the interim. Components for the large door to the center’s construction area have arrived and installation is scheduled to begin on July 18.

Infrastructure projects funded by the state’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds remain ongoing. The high school weight room’s remodel is nearing completion; some equipment has already been installed while new cardio equipment is expected to arrive early next week. The replacement playground at Fairmont Elementary is nearly complete, but the district is awaiting the arrival of some remaining components. New common area furniture for the high school has been ordered, with installation tentatively scheduled to begin in mid-August. The high school science classroom being remodeled has received new paint and flooring, but fixtures and furniture have yet to be installed.

Traetow stated that he had not received any updated information from the Department of Health or the Department of Education regarding the upcoming school year, and the district plans to proceed with the 2022-2023 school year as planned.

Traetow concluded his report by noting the success of Fairmont students at state events, particularly the baseball team’s victory at the state championship.

The board went on to approve receiving three grants; two $500 grants from the Land O’Lakes Foundation and the CFS Foundation for the high school’s FFA, and a grant of $207 from the Martin County Historical Society to bus 1st and 3rd grade students to field trips at the Pioneer Museum and Heritage Acres.

In new business the board adopted a resolution calling for school board meetings to be held at 5 pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month in the upcoming year. This is a continuation of last year’s policy. The district also approved designating Rupp, Anderson, Squires, & Waldspurger P.A. as the district’s legal counsel.

The district approved a slate of resignations which included social studies teacher Teresa Kiehl, business teacher Breanne Greiner, math teacher Brad Haugen, elementary teacher Liz Kvebak, science teacher Steve Lebert, and custodian Dan Quinn.

The board approved employment for evening custodian Tyler Majeske, special education teacher Joelle Thomas, social studies teacher Lara Ellis, kindergarten teacher Luke Beyer, math teacher Morgan Beyer, preschool teacher Bianca Nagel, and online learning and study hall aide Kara Rowan.

The district is still looking for high school agriculture and business education instructors, as well as another 4th grade teacher. Traetow said that the amount of new hires for the upcoming year is consistent with previous years; since the 2015-2016 school year the district has hired 11-20 new teachers, and plans to hire 17-18 staff for the upcoming year.

The board then entered a closed session to evaluate Traetow in accordance with Minnesota statute and subsequently adjourned. The next board meeting is planned to be held on August 9, but this may be subject to change contingent on a quorum not being present; at least one board member will be unavailable on August 9.