WINTHROP — The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) Board of Education is scheduled to discuss the sale of former Fairfax Middle School building in closed session in the junior/senior high auditorium, Monday, Nov.16.

The Minnesota Open Meeting Law allows a school board to close a meeting to develop or consider offers or counter offers for the purchase or sale of real or personal property to be sold by the school board.

On Oct. 19, the school board directed GFW Superintendent Jeff Horton to negotiate a purchase agreement with a Burnsville firm, Retro Companies, Inc., who offered $ 75,000 for the former school buildings and property. Horton said that was the only property offer received by the school district by the Oct. 2 deadline.

Horton said he would meet with the Fairfax Economic Development Authority (EDA) and other interested local organizations and the school district facilities committee to gather input on what they feel are the pros and cons of selling the former school and property.

Last year, the school board decided to close one of its three school sites as a way to save money in light of the school district operating in statutory operating debt.

After the closed session, the Nov. 16 board meeting would reconvene to open session to consider an action item, if any, related to the closed session.

Junior/Senior High School Principal Brittany Galetka reported students and staff are enjoying adding homerooms back into the schedule.

“The schedule was changed to help students make a meaningful connection with students and teachers,” Galetka reported. “It is also a time where students can meet with other teachers for intervention services. Teachers can request students to meet with them to finish missing work, retake a test or get more support from the teacher. This time will help support students who need help catching up in class or distantly.”

Galetka reported teachers feel supported with more prep time created by early Friday release times.

Elementary Principal Jennifer Thompson reported that SEL (social, emotional learning) teacher Dan Paur is working with students on the 7 Mindsets and will meet with small student groups for behavior and social intervention.

Thompson said the first T-Bird Way assembly was held virtually and students watched it in their classrooms.

In addition, teachers are meeting with parents in virtual conferences.

“We have a good response. Many of our families are participating,” Thompson reported.

GFW Facility Manager Dave Sellner reported OSHA-required personal protective equipment (PPE) safety training was done in October.

Sellner reported inspection audits and results were shared with each custodian audited. He said advanced health and safety began building walk-throughs for Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) inspections.

Project progress included contact MR Paving & Excavating for track repair estimates, gym air handler shaft bearings were replaced, track cracks were filled in to prevent further damage, and C & H Sports will assess the track next week.

In addition, Sellner will meet with the Garland Co. to discuss long-term room maintenance and replacement costs. As assessment have been done.

Back-ordered items including sanitizer, handy wipes and hand soap were received. Disposable mask inventory is sufficient.

Sellner reported 20 more eight-foot, poly banquet tables were purchased to replace round tables in the Winthrop school lunch room and four table racks were bought to accommodate the tables.

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