FAIRMONT– The Fairmont School Board held its first meeting of the new year on Tuesday. The meeting marked the beginning of a new term for school board members Mari Myren, Mike Edman, and Jen Harris. This meeting was the first for Harris who ran uncontested for the seat vacated by Rufus Rodriguez. Both Myren and Edman have served on the board previously.

Harris is the parent of three students attending Fairmont Area Schools. When asked for comment she said she was looking forward to contributing to what her children learn and being a voice for peoples’ interests or concerns.

After Myren, Edman and Harris took their oaths of office, the board elected Nicole Green as president, Edman as vice president, Myren as clerk and Julie Laue as treasurer. Positions remained the same as in the previous term with the exception of Edman replacing Rodriguez as vice president. No positions were contested.

In Superintendent Andy Traetow’s report to the board, he stated the new vocational expansion at Fairmont High School is fully operational and this was the last time he intended to use his report as the primary way to deliver updates on the project to the board. He also noted the district is beginning to create its calendar for the 2023-2024 school year and beginning its next strategic planning process with an organizational meeting on Jan. 16. The report provided no new updates regarding health and safety.

Traetow also said a feedback survey regarding Cardinal Community Days has received a total of 281 responses from families, staff and students. While the survey was originally intended to be distributed before the start of winter break, delays led to surveys being distributed between Jan. 4 and Jan. 9.

Laue encouraged recipients to complete the feedback survey.

“Please give your honest opinion whether you are pro or against. We need everybody’s opinion so that we can make the best decision for all of our students,” said Laue.

The survey will be open for responses until the end of the day on Friday and a full summary of responses will be presented to the board during its next meeting.

The board did not discuss the final results of last year’s standardized tests, but discussion is planned to be held at its meeting later this month when building principals are in attendance.

The board heard no celebrations or community reports. Its next meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on Jan. 23.

In other business, the board:


– Unanimously approved school board committee assignments.

–Voted to accept donations of $1,148 from the United Way of Fairmont for support of early childhood programming, salary costs for an elementary outreach coordinator and

help with childhood dental; $12,500 from CHS for FFA, vocational education, and the elementary backpack program; a $16,238.54 donation from the Fairmont Athletic Booster Club for athletic equipment and programing.

— Approved the employment of Zoey Roggow as a special education paraprofessional.