The Fairfield ISD School Board approved Pogue Construction as the Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) for the district’s bond project. The other eight companies that submitted proposals were Jackson Construction, Berry & Clay, HWH, BTC, WRL, SCI, CORE, and Rogers O’brien. FISD Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Kelli Moore reviewed the district’s data as well as the region and state for both the 2024 and 2025 accountability ratings. Moore noted that Fairfield Elementary and Fairfield Intermediate have moved to the Bluebonnet Learning Curriculum for both English Language Arts and Math. Campus principals also discussed their campus plans to help improve learning on the campuses, which will result in increased campus ratings. FISD Superintendent Joe Craig reported that new teacher certification laws will eliminate the ability to hire uncertified teachers through a District of Innovation plan in Math and Reading at the K-5 level starting next school year for 2026-2027. In 2027-2028, the state will not allow uncertified teachers through a District of Innovation plan in any Math, Reading, Science, or Social Studies class at any level. Criag noted that FISD has already started this transition going back to last year when the district created a plan to encourage District of Innovation teachers to complete their certifications. Fairfield’s current District of Innovation plan is in effect through June 2027. Craig noted that during the spring of 2027, he will assemble a committee and determine if the district wants to extend the plan for another five years. The board approved a Tier III stipend for certain paraprofessionals in the 2025-2026 compensation plan that was not in place. The board approved the district’s legal retainer with Walsh Gallegos to continue to serve as the district’s legal counsel this school year. Craig noted that the district enrollment is currently at 1,528 students. He noted that the freshmen class has 161 students, which is significantly larger than any other grade level in the district. After an executive session, Craig noted that he had received a retirement letter from Fairfield Junior High Principal Cari Martin, effective at the end of June 2026. The board approved the Emergency Operations Plan and the Active Threat Annex that Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Rick Hartley presented.
