FAIRMONT– The Fairmont Area School Board on Tuesday discussed new organizational items that will follow into the 2024-2025 school year.

There was no old business to discuss, according to Board Member Nicole Green.

The school board agreed, for future school board meetings, to designate 5:15 pm, the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, in Fairmont Elementary School’s Budd Room, for scheduled meetings.

The school board agreed to designate several banks across Martin County– including US Bank, Profinium, and Bank Midwest–as depositories for school funds, and authorize the superintendent and business manager to sign release agreements for pledged securities for collateral purposes and initiate and approve electronic funds transfers.

The school approved to set the compensation for school board members at $2,400 and $3,000 for the president of the school board. School board members will receive $75 for a half day and $150 for a full day of service.

The school board approved the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding with Counseling Services of Southern Minnesota. This will allow students and families to have a healthy, correct outlet for mental health guidance and service. Board Member Julie Laue stated that this is completely necessary.

Regarding participation and admission fees for school events, Green expressed a desire to refrain from any price increase.

“We like to see commitment [from families and students],” said Green.

She and the school board explained that a possible increase in fees would consequently provoke a decrease in event involvement from both students and families.

Board Member Dan Brookens shared the contract plan for Minnesota Motor Bus transportation. The contract will extend for three years throughout the 2024-2027 school years until its next inevitable renewal.

“We have a good relationship [with the bus company]. We’d like to keep it that way,” stated Brookens.

Board Member Mari Myren shared positive feedback on T-Ball and Football programs for CER, noting that there was a significant increase in participants.

The school board approved the renewal of the joint food service contracts for the 2024-2025 school year as follows for Saint John Vianney, Saint Paul’s Lutheran, and Southern Plains Education Cooperative.

In other action, the board made the following designations:

— The Fairmont Sentinel as the official newspaper for the Independent School District #2752.

— Mat Mahoney as Title IX Compliance Officer and Humane Rights Officer for Independent School District #2752.

— Jessica Korte as District Transportation Safety Director.

— Kim Niss as the 504 Coordinator.

— Brooke Schultz as Federal Programs Administrator.

— Andy Traetow as Home School Coordinator.

— Mary Cole as MDE Identified Official.

— April Tordsen as the Homeless Students Liaison.

— Jessica Korte as HIPAA Compliance Officer.

— Tyler Garrison as the Health and Safety Coordinator.