Fillmore Central Board Member Emily Ellis Onsager was recognized for her six years of service on the school board and presented with a plaque during the regular December 18 meeting. The board expressed their gratitude to Ellis Onsager for her time and dedication.
The Fillmore Central School Board reviewed the 2018 levy and held a Truth in Taxation meeting. The total levy came to $1,668,386.46 with $943,431.29 going to the general fund, $77,600.96 going to the community service fund, $549,934.94 going to debt service, and $97,419.27 going to OPEB. This is an increase of 2.64% from last year’s levy. The 2018 levy was approved.
A representative from A & F Consulting was present at the meeting with updated plans for the high school and football field renovations. The high school renovations included moving the office area from the second floor to the first and making it the main entrance of the school for security purposes. The library would then be moved to where the offices currently are. The books in the library would be downsized to allow for extra seating space. Renovations would also be done to the cafeteria and kitchen, such as adding a second check-out station to the lunchroom to expedite progress through the line, which would give the students extra time for lunch. The plans included updated gender equality locker rooms as well.
The football field renovations will be starting in the spring of 2019 as soon as school dismisses for the summer. A new grandstand will be built as well as bathroom facilities, which will have doors on both sides of the building. One set of doors will be accessible from outside of the football field to allow campers access to the bathrooms during the summer months. Those doors would be locked during football games to keep people from entering without purchasing a ticket. The bleachers will stay where they currently are, but the football field itself will be moved 15-20 feet to the north. The construction is planned to be completed by the time the 2019 football season starts.
The board did not need to approve the renovations plans at this time, but did approve A & F Consulting as the owner’s rep for the projects.
Principal Heath Olstad reported that the holiday concerts at both the Preston and Harmony locations were well received. “Hats off to our fine arts department, and the support our community and families give to our students,” he commented.
Kathy Stafki was hired for SAC in place of Emma Breitsprecher during sports activities. It was reported that 32 students are out for wrestling this year and so Walker Ward was approved as an assistant coach. He had previously been approved as a volunteer for the wrestling program.
The 2019 driver training fees were approved at the same rate as last year. The cost is $330 for Fillmore Central students, $380 for out-of-district students, and $40 per hour for extra behind-the-wheel time.
The board discussed options for lawn mowing in the upcoming summer months. Over the last three years, the total cost of paying someone to mow at both locations was $9,725, $7,845, and $9,075 consecutively. Superintendent Richard Keith asked the board to consider purchasing equipment so that the district’s maintenance department could take over the mowing. “I’m for looking into it,” board member Jim Love said. “It would save you money down the road.” The rest of the board was amenable to the idea as well, and Superintendent Keith will obtain quotes for the equipment needed so the board can make a decision at a future meeting.
The next Fillmore Central school board meeting will be held on January 22 at 6:30 p.m. in Harmony.