FAIRMONT – The Fairmont School Board approved policies and policy changes for open gym rules, Hunt fund allocations and grade replacement at Tuesday’s meeting.

Superintendent Andy Traetow said the gym policy is to make sure their practices in that area align with the Minnesota State High School League.

“It clarifies that for our school district coaches,” he said. “As well as anyone outside how that needs to operate and be structured.”

Open Gym can run from September through May and is required to be open to all students with no cap. The policy also establishes a few rules. Attending an open gym cannot be a prerequisite for membership on a team. High school coaches are allowed to supervise an open gym, but cannot provide any coaching or training in their sport during that time.

The Hunt fund allocation changes establish the school’s plans for funds received from the Hunt Farm sale.

“A year and a half ago, we sold that property and have reinvested the proceeds,” Traetow said. “This was a discussion with the operations committee on what percentage of that annual net revenue we will expend each year for scholarships and student enrichment, and then what percent will be reinvested. Ultimately, the idea is to expend 90 percent of it and reinvest 10 percent of the annual proceeds each year.”

As for who will be in charge of the expenditures, Traetow said it will be a group effort.

“We put in there it’s the responsibility of you as the school board in consultation with the director of finance and business management and the superintendent,” he said. “You as a board will retain ultimate authority over how those funds are used and allocated in a process that will set us up for long-term opportunities to meet our student needs.”

In addition to this establishment, an application will be created for those looking to find uses for those Hunt Farm funds.

A small yet important change was also made to the grade replacement policy. The rule had been that, if a student re-takes a class and receives a higher grade than before, that grade will replace the original on the student’s transcript.

Now, instead of having to re-take the whole class, students will be able to re-take specific required components of a class. This assists students who, for one reason or another, struggled or failed to complete certain assignments or sections of a course but otherwise were successful.

The policy states that the policy falls in line with Fairmont Area School’s goal for all students to be successful.

“We need to ensure that students have the necessary opportunities available to achieve this goal,” the policy reads.

All three policy changes were approved unanimously.

In other news:

— Several small quality improvements are being worked on. Traetow said there have been some coating issues, so flooring in the concession stands is being replaced. Cameras for Hudl footage and padding for baseball dugouts are also being added. He said Building and Grounds Director Tyler Garrison goes to regional auctions as part of his job and was able to secure a water trailer for summer watering projects while also selling a trailer, school vehicle and other outdated or unnecessary equipment.

— Five companies have signaled intent to place bids for Fairmont’s food service provider position. Traetow said Chartwells has been their longtime supplier and has submitted a bid again, but they are weighing their options. All five have agreed to meet with the school on April 14, and the deadline for bids is April 30.

— Work is continuing on the 2025-26 preliminary budget. In discussions with the operations committee, Traetow said it has been recommended that potential expenditure reductions be drafted for possible inclusion in said budget. That list has been completed, and 2025-26 expenditure plans will be completed in the next few weeks.