Kristina Mathews, high school counselor, told the district’s board of directors at its January study session that students can independently take the course through the National Highway Safety Administration at a cost of $74.95 per student.

Superintendent Thomas J. Haupt told the board few districts offer driver's education and finding teachers certified in the subject is challenging. Mathews said enrollment in driver’s education has decreased significantly since Fairfield stopped requiring the class three years ago. Haupt classified the savings in dropping driver’s education as "minimal" and added students have expressed more interest in an independent study.

"The technology option is certainly more agreeable to kids," he said.

More students took the class this year than in recent years since the district made it known it would be the last year, Mathews said.

The district will also no longer offer an internship through Quad Graphics due to low enrollment, Mathews said, and pre-calculus will be dropped so the school can offer advanced placement calculus. Mathews said advanced placement calculus is weighted higher than pre-calculus so it helps students earn a higher grade point average. She added dropping pre-calculus is not expected to hinder students’ preparation for the advanced class.

Trip abroad

The board also heard from foreign language teachers Ute Cline and Tara Phillips about a student trip to Germany and Spain planned for June 2024. Cline and Phillips are excited about the opportunity, which will be the first time Fairfield is taking students to both countries on the same excursion.

Cline said Fairfield has a close relationship with a high school in Frankfurt, Germany, so students will stay in their German peers’ homes and attend their classes. Frankfurt students will visit Fairfield in April, Cline said, for a similar experience. Cline is still seeking families to host the Germans and anyone interested should contact the district office.

Athletic safety

Board Vice President Jack Liller commended district staff for its athletic safety protocols. Liller said he contacted Haupt about district policy after Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during a game on Jan. 2.

Haupt said the district has eight automated external defibrillators (AED) strategically placed throughout the campus. The district is considering purchasing portable AEDs, Haupt said, to decrease response time. District staff regularly change batteries to ensure the AEDs work when needed, Haupt said.

"I would have bet dollars to donuts that if we had one, it was out-of-date," Liller said. "We have eight so kudos to them."

Liller said he also learned athletic trainers are assigned to sporting events where the possibility of injury is high. The board encouraged everyone to become certified in CPR. Haupt said the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association is debating whether all coaches should be CPR certified.