The Fairfield ISD School Board was recognized for school board appreciation month at the Jan. 12 FISD School Board meeting. They were given goodies and videos were made by the campuses. Board members are President Kevin Benefict, Vice President John Fryer, Secretary Kim Whitaker, Eric Chavers, Ashlee Daniel, Penny Meredith, and Jeff Wright.
FISD Superintendent Joe Craig recognized Fairfield Junior High Counselor Steffanie Lane for receiving the “Stellar Counselor” award from Region 12 for the month of January.
Keith Whitaker spoke about his concerns regarding the design of the new high school. He expressed concerns about the amount of glass in the building, both on the exterior and potentially in the CTE classes, and potentially the general education classrooms. He noted that all the windows are currently covered at all campuses and asked if the windows were ballistic proof. He also spoke how students will be distracted by other students by having so much glass throughout the campus.
Jeffrey Floyd, from Claycomb Associates Architects, reviewed the plans for the new high school after collaborating with faculty and staff members during inservice on Jan. 5.
Kevin Sprinkles, retired superintendent at Cameron ISD, then spoke to the board regarding the “Learning on Display” design concept they used when building their new Career and Technology building a couple of years ago.
The board was presented with the 2024-2025 financial audit. No findings were found and FISD was told they have a healthy fund balance.
The board approved new course offerings at the high school and junior high. Due to budgets, all courses may not be offered this next school year.
The classes that were approved to be added at the high school were: Education & Training Career Pathway (CTE- grow your own teachers), Principals of Exercise & Wellness (CTE), Dual Credit Public Speaking, and Sports Officiating. JH and HS Theatre (MS Theatre 1, 2, 3; HS Theatre Arts 1, 2; HS Technical Theatre 1, 2, 3, 4; and HS Theatre Production 1, 2, 3, 4 was also added. JH Jazz Band (Jazz Ensemble 2, 3) were added courses as well.
The board accepted the donation from the Fairfield Education Foundation for the grants they awarded teachers last semester.
The board approved the purchase of new AV equipment for the cafetoriums at the elementary and intermediate campuses. This will include new projectors, screens, and audio equipment.
The board approved the MOU with Texas Kids Nutrition, a food service that will provide a full meal to each student after school each day. The district plans to start this in February.
Enrollment at FISD is 1,521 students.
Craig noted that there have been 15 applicants for the Fairfield Junior High Principal position. He hopes to have the individual hired at or before the March 9 school board meeting.
Craig also noted that SB 546 is a new law that requires all school buses to have 3 point seat belts installed by Sept. 1, 2029.
“Retrofitting an existing bus is around $35,000, which doesn’t make financial sense for a bus that is already almost 10 years old,” Craig said. “Our plan will most likely be to not retrofit any existing buses, but to upgrade when we purchase new buses. Our activity buses, small buses, and 1 new route bus all have 3 point seat belts.”
Filing for the school board is now open until Friday, Feb. 13. Seats up for election are Kevin Benedict’s and John Fryer’s.
The board went into closed session at 9:40 p.m. and reconveined at 10:24 p.m. Craig noted that he has received a retirement letter from Shelly Bean, effective at the end of the school year.
The meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
