(Fairmont) The Fairmont School Board is considering putting another building bond referendum before voters. The district’s previous 21-point-7-million-dollar referendum failed in November 2025. It included improvements to the fine arts learning center, a secure entry and office addition, locker room renovations, building updates and districtwide maintenance projects. Superintendent Andy Traetow says the district is now reviewing inflation and construction lead times to determine what a new proposal could look like. If the board moves forward, the district could potentially seek voter approval in February 2027. Traetow says the district would need to file paperwork with the Minnesota Department of Education by the end of September to meet that timeline. He emphasized that meeting the deadline would not commit the district to holding a referendum. The board also approved updated staff handbooks, including new safety requirements. Adults accompanying students off campus will be required to wear safety vests, and staff members and other adults in school buildings will be required to wear identification badges during school hours. The board also approved several staffing changes, including hiring Heather Willemssen as an elementary teacher and extending Kaitlyn Freese’s contract for the full school year.