Fairfax Board of School Directors – Meeting Summary
Monday, January 12, 2026

Appoint treasurer for Fairfax Town School District Bank: Due to a recent staffing change at the town office, the board discussed the need to appoint a new treasurer. The finance manager will follow up with the town manager regarding next steps.

Leave of Absence Request: The board approved a leave-of-absence request for Julie Robbins for the FY27 school year.

Staffing Updates: The board acknowledged the upcoming retirements of Dana Hamm, Middle School Math Teacher, and Megan Sutter, Middle School Interventionist. We thank them for their years of dedication and service and wish them the very best in their next endeavors.

Construction Update & Open House: Superintendent Tague reported that construction continues to make steady progress and remains under budget. Staff are preparing for a successful open house on Thursday. The board looks forward to celebrating the new space with the community and thanks everyone involved in making this project a reality.

Approve FY27 Tuition Rate: At the recommendation of the finance manager, the board approved tuition increases aligned with the state average:

• Elementary Education: 6.6% increase to $17,000

• Secondary Education: 6.7% increase to $20,000

FY27 Budget: The board approved continuing the Fletcher bus route at a cost of $20,335, reflecting approximately 3% growth under the current contract. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a detailed budget review, including discussion of historical spending trends, tax impacts, and the long-term sustainability of the education funding system. Salaries and benefits remain the largest drivers of the budget. The board warned a total budget of $22,822,478, representing a 6.96% increase over last year and resulting in an estimated 8.44% tax increase—well below the initially projected tax impact. While the board recognizes that these budget increases are unsustainable and largely outside of local control, members remain committed to fiscal responsibility and continue to advocate for state-level changes to help address rising costs. 

Budget Communications Planning: The board reviewed the budget communications pamphlet, which will be mailed to all voters in mid-February. The board thanks Hannah Welburn for her creativity and work on these materials.

Policy Review, Second Reading: The board adopted the following policies:

• CL42: Foreign Exchange Student Admission

• CL43: HIPAA Policy

• CL52: Student Tuition Payment Policy

The board made revisions to CL53: Student Tuition Waivers for Grade 12 Students, which will be reviewed again at the next meeting.

Policy Review, First Reading: The board reviewed the following updated policies, which will return for a second reading and possible adoption at the next meeting:

• A25: Role & Adoption of School Board Policies

• A26: Board Member Education

• B5: Employee Unlawful Harassment

• CL45: Student Life-Threatening Allergies

• CL48: Student Head Lice

Next Meeting: The next School Board meeting will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026, in the school library.