The Fayette Board of Education on Wednesday learned of a volunteer effort to build a new concession stand at the high school football field and urged those involved to continue pursuing donations. The board also approved next school year’s calendar, an increase in adult meal prices, and a summer school schedule.

During its regular monthly meeting on February 15, the board heard an update from Justin Cross, who is spearheading the effort to make improvements at the football field. Mr. Cross told the board he believes a 30x30 building could be constructed entirely with donations. He expects the project cost to range from $50,000 to $70,000.

“I have a lot of people very interested in giving,” he said.

Mr. Cross said he already has donations lined up from the athletic boosters, of which he is a member, and the Fayette Optimist Club. Still, he wanted school board approval before seeking additional funds.

“I fully believe we’ll have about $70,000,” Mr. Cross told the board. “Doing our own labor, concrete the right way, tying in the sewer and everything… it’s fully doable.”

Ideally, the new concession stand would include bathrooms, but that depends on how much money is raised.

The proposed concession stand would consist of a wood-framed building on a concrete slab and skinned with metal. It would be built in an area between the ag building and the football field, where a wooden storage shed currently stands. The shed stores gameday equipment such as yard line markers and goal post padding, which would likely be moved to the current concession area on the back side of the home bleachers.

The project is the first in a more significant effort to transform the home team experience at the football field. Other aspirations include building new bleachers on the north side of the field, effectively switching the home and visitor sides. The press box would remain in its current location above the existing bleachers that would become seating for visiting fans.

Anyone wishing to donate or seeking more information can contact Mr. Cross at (660) 537-3288.

Calendar, summer school, 

adult lunch prices

Among several items approved by the BOE last week include the calendar for the 2023-24 school year. The first day of school will be on Tuesday, August 22. The final school day is Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The calendar has three and a half snow days built in. 

The board also approved a 16-day summer school schedule beginning Wednesday, May 31, and ending Friday, June 23. Classes will meet from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, for the elementary, middle, and high schools. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

Summer school is provided for students who completed Kindergarten through fifth grades. It has not been determined if upcoming Kindergarten students will be allowed to attend. 

“We might not be having incoming Kindergartners depending on staffing,” said Daly Elementary principal Cheri Huster. “We’ll know that soon.”

Summer school classes will be provided for those middle and high school students who need credit recovery.

Board members also approved a rate hike for adult food prices. Lunch prices increase from $3.50 to $3.80, and breakfast prices rise 20 cents from $2.50 to $2.70.

Food service director Paula Volkmann asked the board to consider expanding the freezer space at the elementary school. She also reported the prices for commodities are expected to go up by around $9,500 next year.

The board meets regularly at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month except for June. April’s meeting has been moved to Monday, April 17, to comply with the law requiring the meeting to occur within 14 days of the April 4, 2023, municipal and school board elections. During the reorganization meeting, the board will vote for a new president and vice president and swear in new board members.