The Fayette R-III Board of Education held its regular business meeting at the Fayette High School media room on June 23, 2021. 

Coach Tom Oakley shared some of the accomplishments of high school track season and several athletes were present, and recognized by the board at the opening of the meeting for placing at the state meet.  

The district’s nurse, Kelly Beeler, reported on the success of the district in handling the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic during the year and cited the collaboration of the local health department and physician offices in helping meet this challenge through contact tracing, which was carried out for each positive COVID-19 case that was identified.

Nurse Beeler also reported that there were unusually low numbers of strep throat cases in the district during the 2020-21 school year, and no cases of influenza. She said that mask wearing, increased use of hand sanitizer and improved hand washing by students and staff were all contributing factors in this. 

The board approved the 2021-22 budget as presented by Superintendent Jill Wiseman, with a budget amendment anticipated in September when updated financial information will be available. Breakfast and lunch will continue to be available at no cost to district students during the upcoming school year, due to USDA extension of the pandemic lunch benefit.

In addition to the budget, the board approved Superintendent Wiseman’s Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Service Plan, which is a revised version of the previous re-entry plan to address COVID-19 response. Board approval of the Safe Return Plan, and posting of the plan on the school district website, are requirements for receiving Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III funds. ESSER III funds are part of the American Rescue Plan Act passed on March 11, 2021, and can be used, among other purposes, for addressing learning loss, and for funding after-school and summer programs. 

Based on a recommendation from Gary Beeler, Superintendent Wiseman and CMS Principal Brent Doolin, the board unanimously approved the purchase of a new Chrysler Voyager minivan and the trade-in of the district’s 1994 Ford Econoline 150 van. This follows the district’s current transportation upgrade schedule.

Mr. Beeler was also recognized by the board for receiving a 100% approval rating by the Missouri State Highway Patrol in its 2021 annual bus inspections. 

Although the board does not traditionally meet during the month of July, members did schedule a policy committee meeting for July 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the District office. The next regular meeting of the school board will be August 18 at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are open and the public is invited.