The Fairfield (Ind.) School Board on Aug. 28 unanimously approved claims totaling $753,403.86 and payroll claims of $431,349.92, accepted multiple staff resignations, ratified new hires and substitutes, approved several donor gifts and authorized an out‑of‑state field trip and disposal of obsolete textbooks.

The actions were taken at the Fairfield Community Schools Administration Office after an earlier executive session. President Marilee Keim called the public meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.; all five board members — Marilee Keim (president), Brian Wogoman, Tyler Rensberger, Aaron Rink and Sarah Elledge — were present. Aaron Rink made a motion to amend the agenda to add late-arriving consent items; Tyler Rensberger seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Why this matters: the approved claims and payroll cover district operations and the personnel actions affect staffing across elementary, junior high and high school programs for the start of the 2025–26 school year.

Board action and key approvals
Tyler Rensberger moved and Brian Wogoman seconded approval of the consent agenda, which passed unanimously. Consent details included approval of the Aug. 14, 2025 minutes, claims of $753,403.86, payroll claims of $431,349.92 and 13 professional leave requests listed in the packet. The consent agenda also recorded multiple resignations (including Jacinda Metz, Benton Elementary kindergarten teacher; Kristina Troyer, educational assistant; and Jim Jones, vocational coordinator), and numerous employments and substitute appointments for district classrooms and activity positions.

The board also approved temporary teacher contracts for Heather Kuhns and Karissa Miller and a supplemental contract for Jeff Ulrich, which were noted as signed in the meeting records.

Donations and activity approvals
Superintendent Dr. Carrie Cannon requested and the board approved several donations: $12,500 from the Fairfield High School Alumni Association Blue/Gold (with $7,500 earmarked to cover student tickets for the first half of 2025 and $5,000 to be split between boys and girls cross country for a golf cart or Gator); $1,480.70 from the Fairfield 12th Man Football Booster Club for additional helmets; two gifts from Robert Hyndman (a $500 donation to the Jr‑Sr High Student Assistance Fund and $400 to the cheer team); $1,150 from Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hartman for girls basketball warm-up pants; and an anonymous $2,000 gift to Benton Elementary. Aaron Rink moved approval of the donations; Brian Wogoman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The board approved an out‑of‑state field trip for Benton Elementary sixth graders to Camp Amigo in Sturgis, Michigan on Sept. 30, 2025. Sarah Elledge moved the field‑trip approval and Tyler Rensberger seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

The board also approved disposal of obsolete agriculture textbooks at Fairfield Jr‑Sr High School on a motion by Sarah Elledge, seconded by Tyler Rensberger; that motion passed unanimously.

Superintendent and administration reports
Dr. Carrie Cannon, superintendent, told the board the district is "off to an exciting start," saying students and teachers are settling in and noting strong attendance at junior high sporting events. She also highlighted the first radio broadcast by a new CTE class and expressed appreciation to staff who supported the project. President Marilee Keim said she was "impressed" by the student broadcasters and thanked teachers and administrators for the start of the school year.

Meeting context and process
The meeting lasted about seven minutes from call to order to adjournment; all formal votes recorded in the minutes passed unanimously. Chief Financial Officer Dr. Brandon Penrod was absent and did not present a report. There were no public comments during the meeting.

Next steps
The minutes show routine operational approvals and personnel updates that put new hires and temporary contracts into effect for the current school year. No follow‑up deadlines or contested items were recorded in the meeting minutes.