School Year 26-27 Info!!!

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY, THE MISSION OF FAIRFIELD SCHOOLS IS TO PROVIDE A SECURE AND RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS GAIN KNOWLEDGE, GROW IN WISDOM, DEVELOP CONFIDENCE AND VALUE LEARNING FOR LIFE.

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and

success have no meaning.” Ben Franklin

Hello Fairfield Community, Parents and Students,

We have officially begun the August countdown to the first day of school for 2026-2027, and I am excited for the fresh start of a new school year! We are fortunate to have the same dedicated veteran staff returning as we continue our mission of providing a rigorous and enriching educational experience that prepares every student for success.

Continuity and experience are tremendous strengths for our school, and we are pleased to welcome three new members to the Fairfield team. We are pleased to welcome Megan Krone Dunlap to the Fairfield teaching staff. Megan will teach junior high mathematics and Health/Physical Education, and she will also serve as our head volleyball coach this year. Angel Diaz will join us as a paraprofessional, and Cari Ostberg will work part time in the business office. Welcome, Megan, Angel and Cari!

We are also preparing for a transition in the Elementary. We will all miss Terria Arps and are grateful for the care and commitment she has given our students and school. Katie Dailey, whom we hired last year in preparation for Terria's retirement, will step into the position. This thoughtful transition will help provide continuity for our elementary students, families and staff.

We are also excited to announce an important transition in our athletic leadership. After many years of dedicated service as Athletic Director, Mike Schmidt will be passing the responsibility to Marshall Lagge. We sincerely thank Mike for the time, commitment and steady support he has given our students, coaches and athletic programs throughout his years in the position. Marshall recently completed his Master's Degree in school administration, has been recognized several times as Teacher of the Year and has been asked to speak at graduation on multiple occasions. As a respected educator and well-known member of our community, Marshall brings strong relationships, fresh energy and a commitment to clear, positive communication. We are excited about the thoughtful changes and leadership he will bring to the district, and we are confident he will do

an outstanding job serving our students, coaches, families and community.

Our summer crew - Eleni Geday, Matt Barta, Cora Hirst, Mary Mathison and Brooke Shalz - has worked very hard to make every part of the school shine. Our maintenance crew has also been busy preparing the building, keeping the grounds looking great and working through the never-ending list of repairs and upgrades around the facility. Their hard work has the school looking its best and ready to welcome staff and students.

We are especially looking forward to completing the first phase of much-needed air conditioning in the Elementary before school starts. This upgrade will make a meaningful difference in the learning environment, and our elementary students and teachers will benefit greatly from it.

Our student-built duplex project will begin with the start of the school year. The plans have been finalized, and the foundation is being poured in August so everything will be ready for students to get to work. I would like to thank Steve L'Heureux for his design work, Rob Porch for his architectural and final planning work, and Sonny Fellers and Jason Stott for the excavation and foundation work. Mr. Rogers is excited to begin this new housing project with his students, and we look forward to watching their work take shape throughout the year.

The quote from Ben Franklin at the head of this letter has significant meaning in our school: “Without

continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”

We are always striving to do and be better as educators, as people and as an institution. We work hard to instill that same growth mindset in Fairfield students. Growth and improvement require us to push boundaries and move beyond our comfort zones. Problem-solving and achievement require effort, and that effort has value regardless of the outcome. Every member of the Fairfield team shares the goal of providing the best education we can for our students and community.

This year marks my 31st year in education and my 21st year in Fairfield. I feel very fortunate to serve as superintendent of Fairfield Public Schools and to work alongside such a caring, skilled and dedicated staff. We are equally fortunate to serve an outstanding community and student body. Together, we will continue moving forward and providing our students with the opportunities, support and encouragement they need to become capable, confident and successful in life. I remain grateful for the trust this community places in our school and proud of the people who make Fairfield such a special place.

Let's make this an exceptional year and continue our “Tradition of Excellence!”

Dustin Gordon

Superintendent, Fairfield Schools