Building and District Updates

Summer is coming to an end and we are beyond excited to get back to school! We have been working hard to get buildings ready for your son or daughter. Please take some time to check out the August update as there are some important changes on the horizon.

1. Open House times for all things back to school
2. Bussing....what is changing?
3. Mission and Vision
   
4. New Director of Operations and Community Support Specialist
5. Cell Phones
6. Building Updates
7. November bond vote
8. Communication Outlets
9. Supply List
10. Superintendent's Message: Get ready!

Please see times below for our four buildings. Details will be sent from the buildings.

Thursday, August 21st, 2025

Washington 4:30-6:00

Pence 5:30-7:00

Middle School 6:00-7:30

High School 9th/New Student Orientation 6:30-8:00

The biggest change this fall is the elimination of the hub. Start times begin with the HS at 7:55 and go from there. These can be found on the district calendar, but there is a picture below as well. Changes at Washington will be the catalyst for this new approach, and the details around those shifts are found in Mrs. Buckley's August newsletter linked below. We will continue to provide cross town bussing options and our current plan is to use bus 18 in the morning and buses 18 and 9 in the afternoon. More details connected to cross town times will be sent soon.

Matt Tyler is thrilled to join the Fairfield School District as the Director of Operations. Matt grew up down the road in Mt. Pleasant, and has spent the past 15 years in operations management throughout Iowa, Missouri and Texas. Matt Has four children, three of whom attend school in Fairfield, and married to FHS teacher Larissa Tyler. He is most looking forward to ensuring students have safe and positive experiences through smooth transportation and top-notch facilities.

I am Bethany LaRose and I will be the Community Support Specialist for the District. I have worked as a nurse at Jefferson County Health Center for the last decade. I am a Fairfield High School graduate but grew up in Connecticut. I have three children, two who attend school in Fairfield. When I am not working I am busy with my kids' activities. My boyfriend also coaches high school boys' basketball at Cardinal so we spend a lot of time doing that. If not at a sporting event we are probably watching one on TV.

As was shared last May, we will no longer be allowing phones during our instructional day. HERE is the letter that was shared earlier, and below is the board policy that was approved in July.

Per state legislation and FCSD School Board Policy 503.09 cell phones will not be permitted during instructional time. Instructional time is defined as the entire school day-from the moment a student enters the school building (including passing time and lunch) until the last bell rings.

Personal electronic devices means any device that is capable of electronically communicating, sending, receiving, storing, recording, reproducing and/or displaying information and data. This may include but is not limited to electronic communication equipment, mobile phones, smart phones, video game devices and portable media players.

Personal electronic devices that have been specifically authorized under a current individual education plan (IEP), a Section 504 plan, or an Individual Health Plan (IHP) are exempt from this policy. Parents or guardians of students may request to building level administration that a student retain access to the student's personal electronic device during instructional time if the parent or guardian can establish there is a legitimate reason related to the student's mental or physical health for the student to retain access during instructional time. This reason must be tied to the student's multi- tiered system of support framework

Buildings will be operationalizing this and more details are linked in their building newsletters below.

BE SURE TO CLICK ON THESE LINKS CONNECTED TO EACH BUILDING!

I think most of you know this already, but on November 5th all district residents will have the opportunity to vote on a bond that would help fund the construction of a new middle school. Some key talking points connected to this revised plan are as follows:

*We have cut costs by almost 7 million dollars.

*The GO bond request that will be on the ballot reads like this, "Shall the Board of Directors of the Fairfield Community School District in the Counties of Jefferson, Henry, Van Buren, Wapello and Washington, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $39,500,000 to provide funds to build, furnish, and equip a new middle school building, including site improvements?"

*We also listened to the nearly 500 respondents that filled out the survey last spring and will not be moving 4th grade to the new space which allows us to save some money.

We do need 750 signatures to get the vote on the ballot so if you are able and willing to sign please do so.

We have a variety of ways to stay connected with all things FCSD. Please check out these options connected to the district as a whole, and like or follow them!

Follow us on Facebook by clicking HERE

Follow us on X by clicking HERE

Follow us on Instagram by clicking HERE

This is going to be one of the best years ever for FCSD. We are so excited to welcome your son or daughter back to school. Our vision is to be the destination district in SE Iowa and we are dedicated to making that happen. Our new 5 year strategic plan will be shared in the upcoming weeks and we know we cannot do this alone. It is going to take all of us to ensure Fairfield is the district of choice! As always, please reach out if you need anything.