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Fairmont board approves $745,100 in reductions and non-renewal of four probationary teachers
Summary
The Fairmont Area School Board approved proposed expenditure reductions totaling $745,100 for fiscal 2026–27 and passed resolutions to non-renew four probationary teachers, citing enrollment declines and rising costs; the board said it will support affected staff during the transition.
The Fairmont Area School Board voted April 14 to implement $745,100 in expenditure reductions for the 2026–27 school year and approved non-renewal resolutions for four probationary teachers, actions the board described as necessary to maintain the district’s fiscal stability.
Superintendent Trainor told the board the reductions fall within the 2–3% target set in February and reflect multi-year adjustments the district has been making since FY2023. “We have been proactive over the last five years,” the superintendent said, summarizing the district’s approach and the current recommendation to reduce expenditures by $745,100.
The package of reductions includes $395,000 in staffing-related savings (through retirements and section reductions), $150,000 reallocated from excess food-service fund balance under federal guidance, $64,000 in technology savings, $42,800 in district operations changes, $38,300 in curriculum reductions, $25,000 in activities savings, $20,000 in buildings and grounds deferrals, and $10,000 in classroom supply reductions.
Board chair Nicole Green introduced and moved the formal non-renewal resolutions under Minnesota Statute 122A.40, subdivision 5, naming four probationary teachers whose contracts will not be renewed effective June 5, 2026: Madison Sinn, Kay Jepson, Samantha Cleese and Andrew Mohler. Each resolution passed by roll-call vote. Green acknowledged the human toll of the decision and stressed it was driven by the district’s revenue and enrollment outlook.
The board also approved related personnel items on the consent agenda: new hires for a long-term elementary substitute and a special-education paraprofessional, and the acceptance of a resignation from a high-school science teacher. Director of finance Jessica alerted the board to a separate, ongoing billing issue with Minnesota Energy that could affect near-term cash flow — the district has identified an estimated retroactive high-school charge of about $61,000 and an outstanding elementary bill of roughly $30,000 while it works with the utility to reconcile meters.
Nicole Green said the board will continue to communicate with affected staff and families and will press state leaders for more sustainable school funding. The resolutions direct the administration to notify affected employees in writing and to provide transition support where possible.
