The 2010-11 school term will be three days shorter than state mandate if Fairfield Independent School District receives Texas Education Agency approval for a waiver asked by trustees last week.

Proposed is a 177-day instructional year, with the missing three days slated for additional staff development.

The three staff development days fall on, or close, to the holidays of Columbus Day, New Year’s Day and President’s Day.

Classes in Fairfield would start Monday, Aug. 28, and run through Thursday, June 2.

Thanksgiving break is set for Nov. 24-26, Christmas is Dec. 17-Jan. 3 and spring break is March 14-18.

Additional holidays for students and staff are: Labor Day, Sept. 6; Columbus Day, Oct. 11; Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 17; April 22; and Memorial Day, May 30.

Staff development days are Aug. 18-19, Oct. 12, Dec. 17, Jan. 3, Feb. 21 and June 3.

Three calendar options were presented to FISD staff who voted overwhelmingly for the option approved by trustees.

The state mandates that a school year run for a minimum of 180 days.

After funding a program the past couple of years to provide school supplies for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grades, the school board approved a scaled back modification.

Under the change, the district will buy non perishable items such as scissors, rulers and safety/health items which include antibacterial gel.

Parents are to be responsible for providing pencils, paper, notebooks and other supplies that are used throughout the year.

“I would like for us to do something,” superintendent Katie Ryan says. “I think it will be a very nice balance.”

Trustee Teresa Vandiver pointed out that the program under which the district has been providing school supplies came about because of growing supply lists required by teachers.

The superintendant plans to address out-ofcontrol supply lists by requiring teachers to submit their lists to her for review, and she may strike items she deems unnecessary.

The reason for limiting the supplies purchased by the district is that it has been found that students are wasting and losing supplies.

FISD spent about $80,000 this year in providing all supplies needed by students through eighth grade.

To ease the purchasing burden on parents, Ms. Wade will require that all teachers complete supplies lists prior to the end of the school year so that parents can make those purchases over the summer, instead of all at once when school starts.

Trustees also will consider providing some supplies this year for high school students.

Even though the district is modifying its school supplies purchasing list, Ms. Ryan declares that no student will do without.

The board approved a school meals program to deal with students who have negative balances in their cafeteria accounts.

Ms. Ryan reports that six Fairfield students are carrying negative balances totaling about $875.

Students with negative cafeteria balances will still be served, but meals provided those students are not going to be the same as received by other students. The meals must meet nutritional guidelines, but may consist of a peanut butter sandwich.

Trustees approved the less expensive meal plan for cafeteria delinquencies for students who have a deficit account of $50, or more.

Students will still be charged for the simpler meals, but at a lower price.

One purpose of substituting the simpler meals is to prompt parents to apply for the reduced-price meal program, if they qualify. The district receives federal reimbursement for reduced-price meals served to students.

The board approved a facilities use plan that drops fees to organizations and businesses utilizing FISD facilities in favor of seeking donations for use.

Ms. Ryan reports that many organizations, such as those involving youth programs, have been allowed to use FISD facilities, such as the high school auditorium, cafeterias and sports fields, at no charge. Businesses have been on a fee schedule.

Donations made for facilities use will go toward a college scholarship fund.

Fees will continue to be charged for facilities use for school sports playoff games.

The board agreed to postpone changes in staff pay until budget figures for 2010-11 are estimated.