FAIRFAX — The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) school board Board members reviewed on Monday, an Oct. 11 letter from Minnesota Education Commissioner Dr. Brenda Cassellius’ review and comment on a two-question bond referendum coming up on Nov. 7.

The first ballot question would authorize $37.9 million in bonds to finance land acquisition and major facility upgrades at the Winthrop school and minor upgrades at Gibbon and Fairfax schools.

The second ballot question would authorize $1.565 million in bonds to finance a larger gym addition at the Winthrop site. Passage of the second question is contingent on first question passage.

The final project component is a long-term facility bond issue that does not need voter approval. It would fund $2,000,261 in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, sprinkler system and deferred maintenance upgrades at the Winthrop school. The total amount of the proposed projects is $41,662,057.

“The proposed minor renovations at Gibbon and Fairfax will do little to make these facilities more suitable and cannot alter the age of the facilities or the lingering, on-going maintenance costs associated with older structures,” Cassellius wrote.

In addition, she wrote, “operating cost inefficiencies and redundancies associated with maintaining multiple aging attendance centers will continue to exert budgetary pressures on the district and will likely impact future educational offerings as enrollment continues to decline. The most expedient long-term facility solution for the GFW school district appears to be a new PK-12 facility.”

In her review and comment statement, Cassellius wrote that she provides a positive review and comment on the bond project.

GFW Supt. Tami Martin said she was unable to personally talk to Cassellius, only to her subordinates. She said Cassellius’ statement that the cost of a single, new facility being similar to the proposed modifications of three existing schools is not entirely accurate because the estimated cost of a single facility did not include everything proposed in the project.

The board also:

• Approved hiring Jon DeRock as the head boys basketball coach for the 2017-2018 season, pending a background check Monday.

The board also approved hiring high school paraprofessional Whitley Rose, for six-plus hours a day at $11 an hour, pending a background check; and granted a family and medical leave request by first-grade teacher Tara Rettman.

• Approved transportation longevity payments to Jennifer O’Connor for 25 years of service and Jerry Pelzel for 30 years of service.

Martin said the South Central Service Cooperative is coordinating an all-day tour of Jordan Middle School to observe its student personal learning plan programming which she plans to attend.

• Reviewed unpaid lunch balances including accounts for $373.66 that now qualify for free or reduced-price lunch; and accounts of $1,708.53 that have more than $20 charged now. The Class of 2017 has five unpaid accounts totaling $404.70; Class of 2016 $173.91; and Class of 2015 $19.30. It was decided to send one more letter for 2015 and 2016 unpaid accounts.

• Dashir Management Services, Inc. reported that the insurance company estimated hail damage to the school district at $194,000. Two firms, Jay Larson Construction and Laraway Roofing Inc. of New Ulm were contacted for repair estimates.

In addition, the Gibbon school boilers passed internal inspection and were operated to verify they were ready for winter. A fresh air intake on the smaller boiler did not open all the way but will be taken care of before the heating season begins. Boilers in Winthrop and Fairfax schools were also operated.

The report added that Isakson-Gag Plumbing & Heating of Gibbon replaced a nine-year-old water heater in the Fairfax school at a cost of $14,000.

The report concluded that school surplus items will be part of the Mages Land Company & Auction Service fall consignment auction that begins at 9 a.m., Oct. 28. Items include cafeteria tables, student chairs and miscellaneous items.