The Fairmont School Board on Tuesday heard from Education Minnesota Fairmont president Joice Forster, who spoke about American Education Week, which is this week. Forster said some ways the group works to show its appreciation and give back include ringing the bell for the Salvation Army during December and putting on a school-wide food drive every March. It also sponsors youth soccer team and T-ball teams, and it gives a scholarship through Dollars for Scholars.

The board heard from Steph Johnson of the Martin County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. She was present to share some information about the group.

“Our mission is working together to eliminate alcohol, marijuana and prescription drug abuse in young people in Martin County by helping them become leaders and supporting them in making healthy choices,”

She said the coalition meets once per month. Members across Martin County come to the meetings, and they try to have student members of the youth coalition (YOCO) present as well.

The school board accepted donations:

Carpet Plus in Fairmont donated a piece of grey level loop commercial carpet valued at $191 to the Fairmont High School robotics team.

Fairmont firefighters donated $1,350 to CER for T-shirts for elementary girls and boys basketball programs.

Fairmont firefighters donated $500 to help fund the second grade spring field trip to the Como Zoo.

The board also canvassed the votes from last Tuesday’s school board election and certified Rufus Rodriquez, Mari Myren and Michael Edman as the winning the three spots on the board that were up for election.