Schools change model

This week the Fairmont School Board passed a motion to return to hybrid learning at the Fairmont Jr/Sr high school and continued in-person learning at the elementary school. They also voted to resume all extra-curricular activities. Unfortunately, this decision didn’t last long, as the Minnesota Department of Education stepped in on Thursday and directed that Fairmont Jr/Sr High go-to distance learning as of Monday, October 5, and the elementary school go to distance learning October 12. This directive was due to the rapid rise in COVID cases in the area.

We commend elementary school administrators Andy Traetow and Michelle Rosen for having a plan that the Department of Education deemed good enough to safely keep the elementary students in-person learning for an additional week.

Fmt. Sales tax nets $2.2M

The Fairmont half-cent local option sales tax has generated more than the City had originally forecast. With $2.2M sitting in the fund from 2017-2019 collections and anticipated 2020 increased collection, the City can look forward to improving the recreation amenities in Fairmont.

In September 2018, the Fairmont City Council voted to allocate $600,000 of the tax money annually to the proposed Community Center. With excess money available they now will be holding discussions on how to spend this. We encourage you to let your councilperson know your thoughts and we are glad that all this money will be reinvested in the community.

Group highlights Fairmont

Fairmont Area Life, a partnership between the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce and the Fairmont Economic Development Authority, will be making people aware of what the city has to offer through a unique new digital campaign. The digital campaign will target the seven-county Twin Cities metro area. With the unrest in the Twin Cities and the ability to work remotely, Chamber members saw this as an opportunity to promote the quality of life and lower cost of living in our area to entice Metro families to check out the Fairmont area.

Thank you Fairmont Area Life, for finding a unique way to promote our quality schools, health care facilities, fine arts options, our chain of lakes, and low cost of living to the metro area.

Wear a mask

Wear a mask! It is not that hard! Our students need to be “in” school, our businesses need to stay open and the well-being of our community depends on it!