FAIRMONT — The Fairmont Knowledge Bowl team sent its coach and a few student members to tell the school board about the organization Tuesday night. The Knowledge Bowl team is a way for the students to flex their academic acumen as well as expand their critical thinking skills.

Competitions are held in Mankato at the Fitzgerald School and the premise is simple, buzz in first to get the opportunity to answer the question.

In a way, the objective is very similar to Jeopardy without having to answer the questions with another question.

Knowledge Bowl coach Joelle Thomas expanded on the importance of the organization.

“Our students come from a variety of different demographics, backgrounds and different areas of expertise,” Thomas said. “Within Knowledge Bowl, students are able to flex their academic athleticism, some of our students are whizzes at history, others with math, some with english.”

The Knowledge Bowl is still very similar to what it was in the early 2000s. Board Member Mike Edman was reminiscing about how little most of the technology used on the team has changed.

Student member Isaac Thomas even commented that when he boots up the box device used to signal you are ready to answer a question, it still says “made in 2002”.

After the segment on Knowledge Bowl, the board addressed some financial reports. A motion was offered by Julie Laue and seconded by Mari Myren to unanimously approve wire transfers for Feb. 2024 bills.

Another financial topic was up next as the board discussed budget resolutions for the coming school year.

Lastly the board reported on the listening session they had with the Fairmont High School student council.

The report was overwhelmingly positive, with members receiving news from the students pertaining to their safety. Many students commented on how the higher visibility of staff members in the building has made them feel more safe at school.

The agenda topic of the Open Door Health Clinic topic was moved to a future meeting for further discussion and was not covered in the meeting.

The board will meet next on Tuesday, March 12 to handle topics that have been pushed back as well as the new agenda.