At the November 16 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, the board approved a resolution canvassing and certifying the referendum vote results. The vote, which took place on November 7, asked the voters to revoke the district’s current referendum of $292.15 per pupil and replace it with a new one of $783.36 per pupil. The proposed increase was due to a number of factors including declining enrollment, rising costs and inflation, and the expiration of federal COVID relief funding. Nearly 24% of eligible voters turned out to cast their vote for the referendum with 300 voting for the referendum and 409 voting against. Board member Craig Britton noted in the coming months, the board will need to discuss the next steps for moving forward since the referendum did not pass.
The fall sports season has wrapped up. Cross country runner Autumn Rakosnik qualified to run for the state tournament. The football team completed their season as Section 1A champions and the volleyball team as Section 1A runners-up. “All sports had a very positive, amazing season,” Superintendent Heath Olstad commented. The winter sports and activities are getting ready to start and include basketball, wrestling, and One Act.
The Veteran’s Day program at the elementary and high school buildings was scheduled to take place on November 10, but due to the early out for the football game that evening, it was rescheduled for November 13 instead. Thanks were extended to all who made that program possible, including the sixth graders who read their essays during the elementary program.
Elementary Principal Jim Peters reported that an average of 180 students are having breakfast at the school each day, with that number sometimes reaching nearly 250. As of now, there is no charge for breakfast or lunch for students in the elementary and high school.
There are multiple job postings available at One Block at a Time and the SAC program.
A maternity leave was approved for preschool teacher Jessica Bradt. Kelly Doherty’s resignation from the One Block at a Time childcare center was accepted. Holly Knutson was approved as a volunteer wrestling coach.
A transfer of $892.50 from the lunch and milk assistance fund to the milk break revenue account was approved for students who need assistance paying for milk break and healthy snack cart at the elementary school. Another transfer of $726.06 from the lunch and milk assistance fund was approved to the sales to pupils’ funds to eliminate past due balances in student lunch accounts from before June 30, 2023.
The copy machines at both district locations are near the end of their five-year lease. The board reviewed a number of quotes for new copiers. References were obtained for the two lowest ones. Superintendent Heath Olstad recommended approving the quote from Marco as their other customers that he talked to were very happy with the equipment and the customer service. The board approved the quote.
The World’s Best Workforce annual report was approved by the board. It has been posted on the school’s website for the public to review.
The next school board meeting will be held on December 19 at 6:01 p.m. at the Preston meeting room and will open with the annual Truth in Taxation meeting.
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