1. Mark these important upcoming dates
- Tuesday, Sept. 5: First day of school
- Saturday, Sept. 9: Dedication ceremony for three new school buildings
- Friday, Sept. 15: Home football game against Lakota East, 7 p.m.
MORE: Fairfield staffers rally before start of historic year
2. Three new schools welcoming students
Today marks a historic first for Fairfield City Schools. The city school system is opening three new schools: Central Elementary, Compass Elementary and Fairfield Freshman School as classes begin for the 2017-2018 school year.
Of the district’s 10,000 students, about 20 percent will begin learning in the new schools today.
Fairfield and Fairfield Twp. residents approved a tax hike in 2014 to pay for most of the $80 million price tag for the schools, with the state school facilities fund paying a portion.
3. School board race is uncontested
No new voices will be joining the Fairfield Board of Education this fall.
Three current board members — Dan Hare, Michael Berding and Brian Begley — are all seeking re-election to three open seats. In addition, Carrie O’Neal is seeking re-election to one unexpired term on the board.
VIDEO: Take a tour inside the new Central Elementary
4. New position targets bullying
The Fairfield Board of Education approved in July the district’s new “Bullying and Harassment Officer,” a position “to coordinate district preventives and training for students, staff and parents.”
Donna Martin, currently Fairfield Schools’ coordinator of district information, was appointed to the job starting Aug. 1.
“While serving as the Bullying and Harassment Officer, she will coordinate initiatives such as anti-bullying and anti-harassment workshops, training, and programs,” said Fairfield Superintendent Billy Smith.
5. Schools see new leadership
New principals will lead several schools in the district this school year:
- Kyle Jamison has been named director at Fairfield Academy.
- Melissa Muller is the new principal at Fairfield West Elementary.
- Karin Franchini will be principal at the new Creekside Middle School.
- Asha Lambert will be principal at the new Compass Elementary.
- David Maine will be principal at the new Crossroads Middle School.
New assistant principals in the district include: Lisa Pugh (Crossroads Middle School); Chrissy Zboril (dean of students, Fairfield Academy); Asha Lambert (Compass Elementary); Terrez Thomas (Fairfield West Elementary); Jen Mott (Fairfield High School); and Aaron Blankenship (Fairfield High School).
Staff writer Emma Steifel contributed to this report.
About the Author