FAIRFAX — The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School District has received approval from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to run an operating levy Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Action items on the Monday, May 18 virtual board meeting agenda include the school board deciding on an amount to be included in the August ballot question.

Other meeting action items include the board deciding on superintendent candidates to be interviewed. Candidates will be presented by Harold Remme and Ed Waltman at the meeting.

In his school board notes, GFW Junior/Senior High Principal Justin Johnston reported some of the district’s largest class numbers in its College Now classes.

“It is outstanding to see so many of our students pushing themselves to get the free college credits,” Johnston wrote in his notes.

“Students and staff put together an outstanding virtual Spring Fling Talent Show,” Johnston added. The show can be viewed at https:///www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sdDb07-MJ or on the school district Facebook site link.

Johnston reported students are showing great progress in their individual Student Learning Goals.

He credited staff with doing an outstanding job in the district’s distance learning program.

In her board notes, GFW Elementary Principal Jennifer Thompson said she is waiting to hear if the district will be able to hold in-person summer school classes. If so, it would be held Aug. 3-14.

Thompson reported 44 kindergarten student enrollments are confirmed, the summer musical is cancelled and the status of art camp will be determined at the June meeting.

Facility Manager Dave Sellner reported Robert Timm will become the Dashir Management Services, Inc. Facility Manager at Buffalo Lake Hector Stewart Schools. He added that Brian Weir accepted a GFW maintenance position and a new elementary daytime custodial worker in Gibbon is sought.

In addition, Sellner reported asbestos abatement work began in the Winthrop school, and Larson Construction will replace a steel roof and support poles on the Winthrop bus garage, work that is covered by insurance after a hail storm.

The virtual meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 18.

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