FAIRMONT — The Fairmont School Board both made and heard significant reports during its meeting on Tuesday evening.

The Fairmont Speech Team reflected on its season and success. Head Coach Kathleen Walker explained that the team had claimed first place in the Sectional 2A tournament for the ninth year in a row, and third place in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) State Speech and Debate tournament for the second year in a row. She shared with the board that the students have done exceptionally well.

“[I’m] really proud of everybody that has worked really hard and has represented Fairmont well and the Speech Team well,” she said.

Four students, sophomore Leon Yang, senior Isaac Thomas and senior Alayna Haefner, described their individual triumphs and reflected on their memories of the recent tournaments and season altogether.

Haefner has been in Speech for four years and competed in the Original Oratory category. At the State tournament, she claimed second place.

“It’s a huge accomplishment. I’m sad that my speech career has come to an end, but its been very fun and it’s been a great season,” Haefner said.

Thomas has been in Speech for two years and competed in the Humorous Interpretation category. He recalled to the board that he had joined the speech team at the persuasion of fellow tennis teammates. Thomas took 11th place overall in the State tournament. Thomas competed in the online Last-Chance National Qualifiers tournament and took 77th out of 143 individuals.

“I had a lot of fun,” he said.

Yang completed his third year in Speech and also competes in the Humorous Interpretation category. Yang claimed second place at the State tournament. After expressing indifference to his silver medal, he remarked he was still proud of his accomplishments.

“It drives me to keep moving forward,” Yang stated.

The Fairmont Speech Team’s qualifying students will compete at the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC) for the first time from Thursday, May 15 to Sunday, May 18. Following, qualifying students will compete at the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) tournament from June 15 to June 20 in Greater Des Moines, Iowa.

“It’s been a great year, records have been set,” said Coach Erik Walker.

Board members Michael Edman and Dan Brookens, and Superintendent Andy Traetow each commended the Fairmont Speech Team on its culture and attainments. Traetow explained that the team is among the most successful extracurriculars at Fairmont Area Schools.

Moving to other matters, after more than a decade of collaboration with Chartwells, Fairmont has started a contract with Taher Food Service. Four staff members of Taher Food Service thanked the school board and expressed that they are pleased to work with them and ‘bring excitement to the cafeteria’.

Traetow presented in the Superintendent’s Report that there has been a mild decrease in student enrollment. Additionally, he met with the Buildings and Grounds department. Many equipment, flooring, paint, lights, concrete and trees will be replaced.

“The Buildings and Grounds are doing phenomenal to get things done in a timely manner,” Traetow commented.

Brookens acknowledged and accepted donations of $100 from Drew and Kathryn Schellpeper, $500 from Midco and $500 from Master Electric Company. These funds will benefit the Anne Frank Tree Project by Natalie Flaherty. Brookens told the rest of the board that the tree will be the 16th tree sapling from the original chestnut tree grown by Anne Frank.

“I didn’t realize how high of an honor this is,” Brookens said. “This really says a lot about Natalie’s work.”

In other business, the board:

— Approved the employment of Matt Lytle as a special education teacher, Jon McDonough as a high school long-term substitute teacher and Patti Strukel as a high school long-term substitute teacher.

— Approved the resignation of Leticia Cordova from high school paraprofessional, Barbara Diaz Guardamino as elementary paraprofessional, Maisy Jorgensen as elementary teacher and Allissa VanBrocklin as elementary teacher.

— Approved the retirement of Elementary Instructional Aide Sheila Supalla. The board thanked Supalla for dedicating 33 years to Fairmont Area Schools.

— Approved the Martin County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition/Empower Memorandum of Understanding. Traetow explained that Fairmont Area Schools and MCSAP have been in alliance for more than 10 years.

— Approved Thursday, May 29, to be the last day of school for seniors who have completed assignments, fines paid, detention time served and are on track to graduate.

— Approved a district-wide early release. Fairmont Elementary School will be dismissed at 1 p.m. and Fairmont High School will be dismissed at 1:15 p.m. on June 3.

— Approved the summer School Board schedule. According to Mari Myren, there will only be one school board meeting each in June and July. The normal schedule will return in August.