GIBBON — The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) school board discussed future plans for the GFW Intermediate School building once it is vacated, Monday.

On Feb. 28, the school board approved a resolution by a 4-2 vote to close the Fairfax school at at the end of the 2019-2020 school year. The action came despite a $250,000 offer for up to four years of free utilities for the Fairfax school from the City of Fairfax.

Fairfax City Administrator Nicholas Johnson asked the board if the Fairfax Economic Development Authority (EDA) could have the right of first refusal (a contractural right that gives its holder the option to enter a business transaction with the owner, according to specified terms, before the owner enters into a transaction with a third party).

Johnson said the Fairfax EDA would like to be allowed to match an offer on the school building.

Phil Klenk, GFW board chairman, said the board could consider a resolution for the request at its April meeting.

Lonnie Seifert, GFW Superintendent, said he talked with the district’s attorney about the future of the Fairfax school.

“We could put restrictive covenants on it, so it couldn’t be used for educational purposes that would compete with GFW,” Seifert said.

The board also discussed:

• Possible sale of the Gibbon football field now used for soccer games. Seifert said the school district pays $150 weekly to mow the field. The board favored listing the field for sale.

• A preliminary budget reduction proposal to cut four positions to save $460,900.39 next school year. Seifert said he looked at cutting cutting positions without cutting programs like eliminating a full-time art position but adding art to another position, such as adding to a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) position to create a STEAM position.

Seifert said the spring kindergarten roundup may have to modified to one-on-one visits with parents off the school site.

• Unanimously approved a 2019-20 and 20-21 classified (food service, paraprofessionals, secretarial, and library aids) staff contract. Terms include a 50 cents per hour hike the first year and 25 cents an hour hike the second year.

Health insurance was revamped with three-tier coverage, $300, $450 and $500 per month. Community education and secretaries with summer hours will receive $575 per month.

Seifert said the school staff has nine days to do a distance learning plan but that online class testing may be done later this week.

“We’ll be working on instructional videos from teachers that would enable students to ask questions after watching them,” Seifert said. “All students in grades 4-12 have a Chromebook and charger but not all have Internet. We’re working on Internet hotspots for them.”

Seifert said distance learning will be available for disabled and English Language Learner (ELL) students too.

“We’ll have free cold lunch and breakfast meals at all three sites for kids age 1-18, to be picked up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “ Seifert said. “We’re also packing backpacks with donated food.”

Seifert said childcare including staff children will continue at the Gibbon school.

“We have enough room to keep kids apart,” Seifert said.

He said all district hourly wage earners will continue to be paid while the school is closed. Seifert said bus drivers may be used to deliver meals and homework packages at times.

“If students are not online for a couple days of distance learning, they’ll get a call asking if they need help,” Seifert said.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.