The Fairmont School Board heard the district’s plan for students’ return to in-person school next  week . Elementary students will return on Monday, Jan. 18 full-time in-person, and high school students will begin on the same day in a hybrid model. Elementary co-principal, Andy Traetow, pointed out that this week marks 10 months of COVID-19 and distance learning for schools. He said since June alone there have been six changes and updates to the state’s learning plan.

The board approved the 20-21 Adopted Budget. Supt. Joe Brown presented the Review and Comment required by the Minnesota Department of Education in order to hold the bond issue special election for the vocational wing expansion scheduled for Feb. 9th. The school board also approved the slate of election judges at the Fairmont Precinct polling place – The Knights of Columbus Hall and the Ceylon Precinct polling place, Old City Hall 112 Main Street.

Supt. Brown informed the board and the public about his working to hire a married couple from Chile to serve as ELL teachers in the district. He said the process was a lengthy one in obtaining their work visa, but they have arrived in the states and Abraham and Synthia Sepulveda have been working for the district since Jan. 4.

The board accepted donations from The Fairmont Athletic Booster Club in the amount of $13,854.50 for purchase of athelic items and Grace Lutheran Missions in the amount 0f $500 for the C E R Adult Literacy Program.