Fairfield board approves dual-credit agreement, hires and new teaching positions for 2025–26

The Fairfield Community Schools board on May 8 approved a memorandum of understanding with the University of Indianapolis by and through the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning and accepted a Rural Early College Network grant for Fairfield Jr‑Sr High School intended to expand dual-credit opportunities. The MOU and grant were presented by Superintendent Dr. Carrie Cannon; the board approved the MOU by unanimous vote on a motion by Tyler Rensberger, seconded by Aaron Rink. Dr. Cannon told the board the Rural Early College Network grant is competitive and “will allow students the opportunity to earn dual credits and a pathway to college.” The agreement with the University of Indianapolis was approved as part of the consent/action items. Assistant Superintendent Monica Kegerreis requested and the board approved staffing and program changes for 2025–26: an additional elementary special education teacher shared between Benton Elementary (40%) and New Paris Elementary (60%); a PE/middle school computer science teacher at Fairfield Jr‑Sr High School; an additional social studies teacher and an additional science teacher at Fairfield Jr‑Sr High School; and a 50% French teacher position at the high school. Each position request passed unanimously with motions and seconds as recorded in the meeting minutes. The board also approved internal transfers at Millersburg Elementary‑Middle School and New Paris Elementary School, including the transfer of Joshua Vargas from English to social studies at Fairfield Jr‑Sr High School and the transfer of Kathy Plank to be 50% French and 50% English teacher at the high school. Those personnel moves were approved as consent items. The MOU with the University of Indianapolis and the Rural Early College Network grant position the district to offer students additional college-credit opportunities; the board’s approvals included authorization to implement the staffing needed to support the program expansions.