Fairmont Area School Board approves revised and preliminary budgets, facility plan and routine contracts; schedules Crest Refrigeration abatement hearing

The Fairmont Area School Board on Monday approved a set of routine but consequential financial and operations items, including the revised 2025–26 budget, the preliminary 2026–27 budget, and a 10-year long-term facilities maintenance revenue plan tied to 2025 bond proceeds.

Superintendent Nicole Traenow reported the district finished the school year with 1,600 students in kindergarten through 12th grade (preschool not included) and said buildings and grounds staff have a list of about “110 projects for the summer” to address routine maintenance and repairs. “We hire additional help for exterior projects and student workers to support cleaning and moves,” Traenow said.

Jessica, the district’s finance staff who presented the financial overview, summarized state-aid changes and revenue projections: the state funding formula rose 2.69%, from $7,481 to $7,683 per pupil, and the district projects about $17.8 million in state revenue for fiscal year 2026–27. Jessica told the board the general fund is projected to decrease by $421,000 for 2026–27 and that the revised 2025–26 projection shows a decrease of $218,000. She also noted that COVID-related federal funds have expired and that salaries and benefits make up roughly 69% of general fund expenditures.

After the presentation the board voted to approve both the revised 2025–26 budget and the preliminary 2026–27 budget in a single motion; board members thanked Jessica for preparing clearer trend information for future packets.

The board also approved the district’s long-term facilities maintenance plan, a 10-year spreadsheet of projects and revenues that identifies major work such as the tennis-court resurfacing the board noted is a significant near-term expense. The plan reflects proceeds from 2025 bonds issued for long-term facilities maintenance.

Among other routine business, the board approved: - Revisions to Policy 432 on incentive compensation (second reading and approval). - Renewal of the district’s Minnesota State High School League membership (last year’s fee: $2,225). - An amended 2025–26 school calendar required by the state to reflect actual days. - Continued fee freezes for participation and admissions for 2026–27 and no increase to most extra-duty worker stipends (contracted AD slots may differ). - Renewal of a vented-milk contract with Head Start and other food-service arrangements.

The board called a public hearing for 5:15 p.m. on July 14 to take comments on a requested five-year tax abatement for Crest Refrigeration that would cover approximately $36,000; Dan, who introduced the resolution calling the hearing, clarified the motion approved only scheduling the hearing, not the abatement itself.

On personnel matters the board approved recommended hires — including Jill Monahan (long-term substitute), Michael Hobbs (high school math teacher), Madison Sinn (elementary long-term substitute), Heather Willis Mann (elementary long-term substitute) and Lydia Plug (elementary fourth-grade teacher) — and accepted the resignation of Scott Curtis, dean of students, effective June 15, 2026. The board also called for the district’s general election on Nov. 3, 2026, to fill three four-year board seats; the clerk will include on the ballot the names of individuals who file affidavits of candidacy.

The board adjourned after a short operations committee report that recapped a 2½-hour committee meeting on preliminary budget items, substitute pay, insurance-provider options and online learning (the latter tabled for future consideration). The board’s business concluded with unanimous or voice approval on the items presented; where a roll call was recorded, members’ aye votes were logged in the minutes.

The board meeting covered routine governance steps and set a public hearing where community input will be invited before any decision on the Crest Refrigeration abatement.