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FAIRMOUNT, ND NEWSLETTER June 2004 IN THIS ISSUE: * Upcoming Events * Fairmount news * School News * Houses for Sale in Town * Recipe * Quote for the day UPCOMING EVENTS June 15th Tuesday – Bridal Shower for Cassandra Braun. 7 pm at the Community Center in Fairmount. Couple is registered at Walmart and Bed, Bath and Beyond. June 16th – Blood Drive at the Fairmount Community Center from 3 pm to 7 pm. Call Corrine Kaiser (474-5789) for an appointment. July 1st – Have list or description of items donated to the White Elephant Sale in Fairmount to Jayne Allen. July 31st – Have recipes to Renae, Carmen, or Deb for the community cookbook. August 28th
– White elephant sale. Anyone willing to donate an item for the white
elephant sale needs to get the item or a description of the item to
Jayne Allen at 474-5910 by July 1st.
If you have an item that you would like to have on consignment
talk to Jayne about the cost. FAIRMOUNT
NEWS The FCD group
is working on a cookbook recipes submitted by past and present residents
of Fairmount. They need to be
submitted by July 31st.
Submit to Carmen Swanson, Renae Swanson or email to Deb at maddinnd@rrt.net. You will also need to include a short history
of your life. Example: Maiden name (if a married woman), year graduated,
spouse information, children, occupation and present where abouts.
We would like to have the cookbook ready the summer of 2005 when
we have the All School reunion in July. Water bills
may no longer be paid at the bank.
Please mail to PO Box 132, Fairmount or drop off at City Hall
104 N. 1st St. SCHOOL NEWS
The Fairmount School Board held a public planning meeting on May 4 to discuss the state of the district and possible options for the district’s future. Following that meeting, the Board considered the facts and the opinions expressed at this meeting and concluded the district is doing well and shall remain open as long as student numbers warrant running a school, and patrons support the operation of that school. Financially, the district is sound. Taxable valuation has grown from $1,979,400 in 1998 to $4,089,921 in 2003. That increase has enabled the district to increase general fund revenue from $366,189 in 1998 to $746,124 in 2003. Since most of this increase came from commercial properties, such as the Alliance Pipeline and Horizon Milling, local homeowners and farmers have not solely borne the brunt of this increase. In the past, the district’s voters wisely sanctioned the use of three extra levies: building, special reserve, and technology. These funds significantly benefit the district and make the general operating fund adequate to operate the district. However, during the years from 1999 to 2004, total enrollment of students declined from 146 students to 110. School census figures indicate this decline shall continue into the foreseeable future. Since state school revenue is based upon student numbers, the total amount of state aid received by Fairmount declined from $391,477 in 1999 to $308,670 in the current budget year. Despite the decline in numbers and state aid, we have increased our ending budget surplus from $66,229 in 1999 to $207,108 in 2003 while increasing staff salaries, maintaining the building, and providing a fine educational program. A comparable surplus is anticipated for the current year. These funds enable the district to meet unexpected expenses and are needed to continue providing quality education into the future. The Fairmount building is in excellent shape. Because the district has a Building Fund levy, money is available to maintain and improve the structure. Brick repair has been done regularly; the heating system is well maintained and adequate. Repairs to the roof and to the waste removal system will be needed in the future, but building fund revenues should prove sufficient for those projects. The educational program at our school is strong. Fairmount High School offers a full range of basic college preparatory courses. In addition, students may take specialized electives via our interactive TV system, an arrangement between ten regional high schools, two vocational centers, and the North Dakota State College of Science. Also, students may take college courses, either on campus at NDSCS or via the interactive TV system, and receive dual high school and college credit for those courses. Fairmount school belongs to the Richland County Vo-Tech Center, located in Wahpeton. This center offers one of the finest vocational programs in the state and affords students a wide range of vocational choices. Students with special needs are served by the South Valley Special Services Unit, a consortium of 13 school districts offering courses tailored to the individual needs of students. As part of our effort to serve the diverse needs of Fairmount’s changing population, FPS participates in a five-school project to provide after-school programming. This effort began with Federal funding through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative., a grant that provided four years of funding to begin after-school programs. Although the grant has ended, the five schools are committed to continue this service. Before-school supervision is also available. An aide is present at 6:30am to supervise children whose parents must depart for work. Our breakfast program supports this service and offers nutritious meals to all students and staff. Fairmount’s technology backbone is modern, extensive, and equal to any in the area. With nearly 100 computers available to students and staff and a strong LAN as well as connections to the Internet and the World Wide Web provided by the state’s EduTech system, our students and teachers have full access to the many resources available via technology. Fairmount belongs to the Southeast High Tech consortium, which provides specialized equipment and learning materials to introduce students to an ever changing variety of technologies, ranging from DNA modification to laser communications. Many other programs and activities provide students with enrichment options. Our Robotics program, which began with a three-year $30,000 grant from NASA, offers secondary students a unique opportunity to study applied technology by designing and building a robot for competition at regional and national competitions. Few North Dakota students enjoy this opportunity. Our music program offers vocal and instrumental opportunities for all students and has a history of outstanding success. Speech competition and our drama program involve many students every year. Fairmount High School is in a cooperative with Campbell-Tintah, Minnesota, for most sports. Rosholt, South Dakota and Hankinson, North Dakota, join this co-op for baseball. Starting in the fall of 2004, football will be played in a three-school co-op that includes Fairmount, Hankinson, and Campbell-Tintah. Track is provided through a co-op with Rosholt. Athletic offerings include: Girls’ volleyball, basketball and track; boys’ football, basketball, track, and baseball. Most programs begin at the elementary level. In summary: This district is financially sound with a solid infrastructure and excellent academic and activity programs for students. This is true because Fairmount Public School enjoys unparalleled public support. Thus, the School Board has concluded that the school shall continue to operate into the future until such time that patrons and parents express a desire to change our structure or operation. HOUSES FOR
SALE IN TOWN Here are the houses for sale in Fairmount listed with Action
Realty
Action Realty 642-4700
Click on attached website for Fairmount Listings http://www.actionrealtorsltd.com/Fairmnt.htm 202 3rd St S. contact Rosendahl Realty 474-5521 4 bedroom house, newly remodeled, new kitchen, $45,000, price is negotiable. Lots on SE side of town $1.00 Contact the City For Sale by Owner
For Sale: 1991, 3-bedroom ranch house
with 30’ x 56’ storage building on 5 acres on hwy 11 by Fairmount.
$130,000. 701-474-5829 Recipe
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