Fairfield Area School District officials said they plan to keep early elementary class sizes small while preparing for rising costs, growing student needs, and long-term infrastructure upgrades during a wide-ranging “state of the district” presentation Monday night.
The April 13 study session, which featured updates from administrators across the district, focused on academics, staffing, facilities, technology, athletics, and a preliminary look at the 2026–27 budget.
Board President Laura Fisher opened the meeting by addressing a surge of community feedback about class sizes, particularly in second grade.
“We have received a lot of communication from the community,” Fisher said, adding that the district will aim to keep kindergarten through second grade classes at 20 students or fewer.
Administrators later confirmed staffing adjustments are being recommended to meet that goal, including adding a fourth second-grade teacher to reduce projected class sizes from the mid-20s to the high teens.
Superintendent Thomas Haupt said the district is balancing instructional improvements with long-term planning for facilities, technology, and leadership.
“Our presentation…focus[es] on providing the board with a good understanding of where we are and where we’re heading,” Haupt said.
Haupt proposed two new positions: one focused on supporting a future leadership transition and another to strengthen the district’s technology infrastructure. Both could be brought to a vote later this month.
He also highlighted ongoing maintenance needs, including aging equipment such as freezer compressors and an outdated elementary school generator.
Assistant Superintendent Aaron Taylor reported a notable increase in special education enrollment, even as overall district enrollment has declined.
“We have experienced a significant increase in our special education students,” Taylor said.
The district currently serves some students outside Fairfield due to specialized needs, a situation that could become more costly as intermediate unit services change.
Taylor said the district is also working to strengthen early interventions and curriculum alignment, with major subject areas—including science, math, and business—already updated.
Business Manager Scott Wilt presented an early look at the 2026–27 budget, warning that rising payroll and benefit costs could exceed available revenue under state limits.
The district’s Act 1 index caps any tax increase at 4.1%, which would generate about $457,000 in new revenue.
However, projected payroll increases alone are estimated at $610,000.
“That would equate to about a 5.5% increase,” Wilt said, “however, we’re capped at 4.1%, so I’ve got some more work to do.”
Wilt emphasized that no tax decision has been made and that the budget remains in draft form.
Technology coordinator Nicole Steele-Zepp said the district now supports more than 3,300 devices and over 60 software systems, along with growing cybersecurity responsibilities.
“Our job is to support both the operational and educational functions of the district,” she said.
Upcoming priorities include upgrading network infrastructure across all buildings and managing rising device costs amid global chip shortages.
Co-athletic director Jacob Shifflet said increasing student participation is driving higher costs for uniforms and equipment, though he described the trend as “a good problem.”
Meanwhile, Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Joseph Herman detailed a long list of aging infrastructure, including a 1973 freezer compressor and a generator that “most of the time won’t even power the emergency lights.”
“We do have older buildings, older systems, and we’re trying to keep them running,” Herman said.
No public comments were made during the meeting.
The board will continue budget discussions in May, with a final vote expected in June. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for April 27.
District officials said the full presentation will be posted online for public review.
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