Fairfield schools score as well as, and in some instances exceed, state averages over a number of education indicators.

An annual summary report mandated by Texas Education Agency was presented to Fairfield Independent School District trustees last week by superintendent Katie Ryan.

The report covers the 2008-09 school year.

FISD is made up of 62 percent white, 20 percent African American and 17 percent Hispanic students, and is rated as a “recognized” district by TEA. The rating is the second highest given by the state agency.

The district exceeds state averages in its dropout rate, a low .3 percent compared to 2.2 percent in Texas, college bound students (56 percent), a student teacher ration of 12.3 to one and serious offenses, none compared to 2.4 percent throughout the state.

Attendance is slightly lower than the state average, 95.3 percent compared to 95.5 percent, SAT scores are one point lower at 986 and ACT scores are 0.4 points lower at 19.5.

The district also trails the state average in Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test results, barely in most subjects but by six percent in science.

FISD trustees started work this year to bring teacher salaries up to the state average of $47,159, but have not gotten there yet. The average teacher salary in Fairfield is $44,441.

“We will work on the number of Gold Medal performance awards we receive,” Ms. Ryan says. “We also will continue to increase and pass the state average on ACT and SAT scores.”

Last year the district received five TEA Gold Medal performance awards at the senior high school, two at the junior high and one at the elementary school.

A bright spot in the annual summary is wide range of student accomplishments in University Interscholastic League academic competition, athletics, band, agricultural science and other extracurricular activities.

“That shows you have a well-rounded school system. That is what pleased me the most about the report,” Ms. Ryan says.

The report also shows that the district ran its finances in the black by $1 million.

Board members approved Contrax Furnishings of Dallas to provide all furniture for the new intermediate school, a contract estimated at $400,000.

Contrax is part of a state buying cooperative which eliminates the requirement of the district to seek bids for furnishings.

The superintendent reports that administrators and teachers will look at samples, such as for desks, science laboratory equipment and cafeteria tables, and submit an order to the company. Final price will be determined after the order is submitted.

Recognized for service to the district is the board of trustees, in keeping with January as School Board Recognition Month in Texas.

In a separate called meeting last week, the board reviewed performance by Ms. Ryan over the past year and approved a 2-year employment contract extension.

The superintendent was hired in 2010 under a 3- year contract that pays a salary of $115,000 and provided for vehicle mileage reimbursement.

Board members left the salary unchanged but changed the vehicle mileage reimbursement to a $200 monthly mileage allowance.