001Why have you been like 15 minutes early? >> Because I always start it. If I have any issues, give me 15 minutes to troubleshoot. So the thing about sponsorship geologic survey building. So she ends up as a county as well. So she came for two years actually. That was that was PGS. So she PGS she wasn't there and she was good. So, so it's a little bit different. She was talking about >> Yeah, I think so. I think she has an interesting different perspectiveologist. How are you? >> Good. room's got >> support, >> I think. So it's different for your job. I don't know. So this is really I think he has some good spelling stories. This is good. Lord Jesus Christ. I can't talk. procedure to position. Well, Not that I would I'll put
002your picture. Upstairs. I think building fire. Yeah. Eric is your first That's crazy. Right. >> It's harder and harder again. Did you answer somebody? I hope you guys don't know what It's only for sure. She's I'm This isn't These chairs are the hardest. I know you said the chair right now was hurtful. >> Sorry. >> Hey Jesse, you have a minute. ask do we know how many people complied for that position chosen position ask if we had a number >> I don't know I don't ask >> and I don't know you got you got two minutes 45 No, it's not in there. You got to go to your sibling. >> It's hard to break. >> Oh, yeah. All righty. It is 6:00. I want to welcome everybody who's here today. I need to call to
003order the Uni County School District number one board of trustees board meeting. Can everybody please join me in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. I need a motion to adopt uh today's agenda. So moved. >> Second. >> I have a motion. I have a second. You get them, Brian. Okay. Any discussion? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Eyes have it. Motion carries. I need a motion to approve tonight's consent agenda items, the minutes, approval, and payment of bills. >> Uh, Mr. Chairman, I move that we approve the consent items as listed. >> Second. I have a motion. I have a second.
004Dan, any discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Eyes have it. Motion carries. Mr. Thomas. We have some presentations. >> Yes. Um, Jesse, you want to come forward and introduce your team? >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Good evening. I was going to say good night. All right. >> Uh my name is Jesse Barnes. I'm the executive director of the UN County Safe Task Force. Uh stands for Sexual Assault Family Violence Task Force. And we're here tonight um because February is teen dating violence awareness month. And we thought this year we would like to partner with the school districts in doing a proclamation. Um, still got a hold of Mr. Thomas. Still had a hard time calling him Ryan. >> Well, if you notice, I was going to call you
005Jesse Jorgensson, so sorry. >> Um, got a hold of him and um, he accepted us to be here. So, um, this is Jade Zorf. She is the ex assistant, executive assistant and we advocate for SAFE. and Vanessa Weekly is the V victim witness coordinator for the Evston Police Department. Um, we also have Gina Sanquest who works for the Yona County Sheriff's Department, victim witness coordinator, Maria Borgo who is the district court victim witness county attorneys. and Adelaide Romeirez um she is an advocate for county safe post and Amber Ellis Peru is also an advocate um we had a conflict so not all of us can be here because it's also mountain views uh school board meeting so um that's why you only get three of us so um I just wanted to thank everyone for
006allowing us to come and just read a pock mentioned like she stated is about teen dating violence awareness and I think everybody has been privy to events that have happened here in our postdoor community and so we're trying to do the best that we can along with school districts to inform people to especially let the young people know what is a good relationship, what is a bad relationship, resources that are out there to help them if they need that. And so we want to make sure that they're aware as well as the school district and try to see if there's any way we could stop this, stop some of the violence or try to make as much of an effort as we can. Uh and again I'd like to thank everyone on behalf of the
007Evston Police Department and I think everyone knows Chief Mike Ranish and then the UN County Sheriff's Department um Sheriff Andy Cop as well and then the UN County Attorney's Office, Loretta House, who is the district attorney. Um, and again, safe and all the victim advocates, all of us who work together to try to make this a community that's safe, but also informed and hopefully us talking about it or people knowing that there's resources. Even if it's just lending a an ear, please tell me what's going on. I can refer you to someone. I can talk to someone. Let's see what we can do. any any type of effort that we can do to stop this. And so I appreciate everybody's time. I won't take too much because I also have something at 7 o'clock as
008well. And I'm going to let Jade read the clock, excuse me, the proclamation that was read that was written for teen dating violence month. Thank you. Before you do that, I just want to throw out a few stats. I'm not sure. Um one in 12 high school high school students will experience uh physical or sexual violence um in a relationship. One in five girls, one in 10 boys will experience physical sexual violence in their intimate partner relationship. And this one, I think that this one is probably one of the most important ones is according to the National Survey of Youth, 68% of teens experience educational um interference because of intimate partner violence. uh 67% experience job interference and 65% will experience financial control um during their teen years. And teen dating violence statistically starts at
009age 11. >> Wow. 11. >> And so education is very very important. >> And so to this effort of >> Yes. So we we really appreciate you all allowing us to be here and um bringing this to your attention as well. Okay. So the proclamation will read teen dating violence awareness month or TDVAM is a national effort to raise awareness about healthy relationships and prevent abuse among youth. Students deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported in every aspect of their lives, including their relationships. Una County School District number one recognizes that relationship safety is essential to student well-being, academic success, and a positive school climate. We acknowledge that teen dating violence affects young people across Wyoming, including students in our own community, and that early awareness and education can prevent long-term harm. The district is
010committed to fostering environments where students can learn about healthy relationships, seek help when needed, and trust that adults will respond with care and support. Therefore, Ryan Savis, superintendent of UA County School District number one, hereby recognizes February 2026 as teen dating violence awareness month within our district. We encourage staff, students, families, and community partners to join us in promoting healthy relationships, supporting survivors, and strengthening the safety and well-being of all students. >> You're probably lucky that you don't have to sign out with checks, but you're going to be signing up quite a bit. So just right under your >> and then we're wanting to leave some with you that maybe you can hang up on the schools >> um for the mumbling >> um then we'll also >> experience >> display it in our office.
011>> Do you all have any questions? Oh yeah, he's probably 11. >> 10. Thank you. >> Questions. Any questions from the board at all? >> Thank you for your work community. >> Yeah, I I have one. Sure. >> Yeah. Uh, and you you may not have any uh statistics or whatever with this, but of the young people that are involved that with this type of situation, u how how many of them see it happen at home? >> That's a very good question. Um, you're you're right. I don't have statistics. Yeah. Yeah. >> We do know that typically um you kids who grow up in a household where violence is >> prevalent >> um will continue on that path. That's what they know. Um not per se that they're comfortable with it, but that's >> that's
012how it goes. Um, and I think a lot of a lot of kids, um, nowadays, you might have heard the phrase love bombing. Um, where, you know, they will fight and then right away it's I love you. I'm sorry, I won't never do that again. And, um, you know, >> that happens again tomorrow. >> I think people who grow their households with violence, that's that's how love is. So, we don't know. I can tell you statistically that Well, we know 1.5 million youth will um go through violence within a year. And that's just the ones that come. >> Yeah. >> And so what I would say out of just my work, um every teen that I've ever worked with, I believe all of them have had some form of abuse in the home, um or
013at least one of the homes at some point in their life that they grew up in. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And if they didn't have abuse, they've witnessed it that it becomes normal to them. >> One of the things she did mention and we didn't mention social media is >> it actually I mean it's a good thing but it's also a bad thing. It's a it actually is a form that is utilized in some of the teen dating because when they're upset and that first thing they do is they start texting or something. Well, you don't send it out and this and this and this and it just it spreads like wildfire. I'm glad the schools don't have phones. That is one thing I don't want kids here anymore like that. I'm glad that they
014don't have that. But that social media, it's a constant fight with them because they utilize that as one of the big weapons to manipulate the person. >> Yes, I got some here. It's we're trying to >> and like I said, the biggest thing is just lending an ear listening to someone or like Jesse stated that they have a trusted adult or friend or somebody who they can tell their experience. >> I can't stop. >> That's the first step right there. Someone talking about what's going on, >> right? And so again, we appreciate >> ladies time that you guys gave us. I wish And then I wish I could say that we're going to win. It's going to take some time. We honor. >> Ryan, do you need a picture with them? >> Would you like
015a picture? >> Yeah. Why don't you guys come stand up here? >> Yeah. Good idea. No, there's space between you still. >> Shoulder to shoulder. A little closer. >> Making a mess. >> We just did once you >> Thank you. Ladies, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks for coming. >> I know you guys. >> I know. >> We'll see you. >> I didn't go. >> All righty. Thank you again. >> Thank you. >> We're back to you, Mr. Thomas. On department reports, I'm going to introduce Mr. Facel Transportation. I believe he's first and turn the time over to him. That looks good on the side of the building. Maybe we should have that put on the side of our building. Not just photoshopped. >> Yeah, it is. All right. Photoshop. >> Oh, yeah. Probably
016some presentation. You talking about that photo right there? >> Yeah, not up yet. Yeah, I think that would look good outside there. Not 25 26, but >> the building does say transportation on it. They just put the county school district across the top. >> Oh, okay. >> Well done. >> Yeah, >> we thought that was a pretty good place for that photo this year. >> Wow. bus miles. Wow. No. That's great. Especially when there's inclement weather, bad roads, and that type of stuff. >> Oh, we're breathing. There we go. >> There we go. Hello everybody. I'll try to keep this short, simple, and sweet for you. Um, as always, if there's any additional information, please ask. I may be able to answer your questions right up front. Might have to get back to you at
017a later date in time. Um, this is quick overview of our year-to-year transportation. Um, some highlights from last year. We did get the two buses approved. They are in order. They should be here within the next month or two. Um, keep the age of the fleet. Now, we did get two this last year, the brand new ones. Um, 229,441 student rides. So, we get that number by every time a student steps on a bus, we count that as a student ride. So, that's pretty impressive. You know, 230,000 rides per year basis. and no safety incidents. So, I'm pretty proud of that. >> Right. >> We did 323,000 miles, a little over. Um, no major incidents. We did have one minor fender bender, but nothing major that anybody got hurt that we had to tow a
018bus, right? And I I consider that a pretty good victory as well. This is a three-year comparison just so you can see from year to year of our average daily riders and our route miles. You can see though even though the miles are going down, ridership is staying pretty level. Um miles are going down because we've been trying to find efficiencies and routing, combining some things, just being better at what we do. So, it's another three-year comparison. This is just to let you know like activity miles and field trips. This is addition to the everyday route stuff. We do put on quite a few miles every year traveling around the state. Um, average age category. This is something I show you every year just so you know where our fleets are sitting. Um, as with
019buses and the student suburbans, we are kind of limited on what we can replace by WDE. They have a time limit. So, we have to wait for buses to either be 17 years old or 240,000 miles. The student suburbans have to be 15 years or 200,000. So, we're kind of stuck there. The age of the fleet will never really change that much when it comes to buses or suburbans just because they make us wait for so long until we can replace them. So, we just do the best we can with those, keep them running, keep them safe. Um, you can see our oldest category is the staff vehicles, which is still I think it's 15.8 8 um average age. We're working on bringing that down. A couple years ago, approached the board and knew, okay,
020we need to get a a new staff vehicle. It gets used a lot. It's our number one requested vehicle now. Still working on trying to get another one. Kind of help bring that down. Um nothing's wrong with the vehicles we have now. They are just getting older. A new category I've put on here this year is the 20 miscellaneous. I've been kind of tracking those for a couple years and I thought, well, maybe the board would like to know. That's a category of um maintenance vehicles, food service vehicles, other things around that are just not categorized as student transport or staff. Just so you kind of had an idea of where everything is at. This is another slide that I've just updated from year to year so you can see where we're at on cost
021and repair, how much it is per mile to run these vehicles. It is everything is tracking from category to category about 5 cents a mile more this year. I think next year it'll probably be about the same kind of increase. um just with all the tariffs and manufacturing and I think some vendors are taking advantage of some of that as well. You know, they're adding on some extra cost and then claiming things there. >> So, it's not really anything a reflection of our fleet as to say like it's not really more repairs. It's just getting more costly to repair. And once again, you can see I added the miscellaneous vehicles on there. That number is higher than the others. When you get into things like plow trucks and delivery vans, they do get quite a
022bit of abuse and they are kind of costy to repair. And that's why that number is so high, just in case you were wondering. operating costs um saw an increase this year. Like I said, vendor price charges, but it's across the board on everything. Uh software has gone up. Uh tooling, our training materials for training new drivers and keeping them trained, all that's gone up. Goes back to vendors, I think, are kind of they do what they got to do to stay in business, but I think sometimes they're kind of taking little advantage of the current situation. Yeah. And then it's just other various items needed for day-to-day. Everything across the board is just going up a little bit. The one good thing, fuel costs, we actually saw a decrease of $16,000 this last year
023just due to we're trying to do reduced idle times. We're doing some other things to save fuel, but fuel itself actually came down a little bit from year to year this last year. So that helps us out a little bit. upcoming costs. Um, we do have the two buses that are on order that'll be here hopefully next month is what I'm being told. Uh, those costs would be 431,440. Uh, upcoming school year WDD has approved to replace two. I'll come back to here in a minute and ask you to approve some things like that. And they've also allowed us to replace a bus for three student suburbans. So that would be question I'll have for you in a couple minutes. And in the future, all of our buses have camera systems. Uh the state requires
024that we have cameras on buses. The older systems are fairly obsolete technology. We've been piecing them together to keep them going as long as we can. We're getting to the point where parts and pieces are obsolete. And so back to this corner of what do we do now? So we've been talking to some vendors on what is the best road? I mean, do we just buy new systems? They come at a cost of $7,000 a piece. We got 34 buses to do. So that's a pretty hefty price tag. >> The thing is right now some vendors are offering an all-in-one system is what they call it. It's where the system's got GPS, it's got routing, it's got the cameras on it. That would be a good option. So we're not buying different parts and pieces
025to get what we want. Another thing that's coming up is everything's going AI. >> Yeah. So now the new camera systems have AI functionalities built into them. Something that I don't think we necessarily need to have, but it's always the nice shiny thing, right? I think if we can hold out for a little bit, cost of that will come down a little bit as well. Technology expensive. So there's that. And then planning for next year, staffing. Um, at the end of this year, we're having a couple drivers retire. Couple are meeting for some other things. We're continuing to work on recruitment. It's getting pretty hard right now. Um, you know, with the new horse palace opening and some other things, people are kind of shying away from working for the district, especially with the news
026of recalibration. You know, they just don't know what that means and so they're afraid to come work for us. But we're doing all right right now and I think we'll have everything online next year and we'll just continue to work on that. Um financial, we're going to continue looking at costs, different vendors, different manufacturers, different ways we can do things to potentially save a little money here and there. Um operation, we're always looking at routes for safety, move routes here and there, change stops. If we can do what we do better with less miles, then that's what we'll do. Um training is always a number one priority for us. continuation of that training with new updated training. Um, student behaviors and referrals. That's our number one focus this year. We're trying to work with the
027students to get the referrals down and better the student behaviors on the bus. You know, we're we're here to take them to school so they can learn, but we're also trying to help them learn how to be better on the bus is how we think about it. Our main focus is safe and reliable transportation and responsible use of district funds. So that's all I've got for you tonight. You have any questions for me? >> Um yeah, I did I I was actually sitting here. I was wanted to ask you how the hoist are working out for you. >> Are they okay? >> At first there was a little bugs in them, but the company's got them all worked out and you guys are liking them. They work really well. >> Okay, good. Just want to
028make sure our investment was >> Oh, yeah. >> worth it. Oh yeah. >> It's nice that we can have somebody come in and do their yearly certification and not have to give us the the headshake and say so. No, they're really nice and we do appreciate them. >> How many of the buses have Wi-Fi now? >> I want to say six, five, >> five. Those are um reimbursed through the state if we can prove that it's for the benefit of the driver. You would think the state would want them on for I mean as as for transportation, there might be something on the school side that I'm not aware of, but is it for transportation? They will only put them on if it helps the driver. And I'm like, well, it should be for student
029homework needs. But they for WDE on transportation site, they say no, it's driver use only. GPS or like what what would the driver use it for? >> Yeah, GPS routing, >> right? >> There was some funding available a couple years ago for them, but it is since expired and I'm not aware of any any other funding from around those. So, you might have heard in the news u they piloted for a year uh Wi-Fi for buses and this last year they took it out so one year term where they said e rate can pay for that um in fact Travis and I had a conversation I said let's give it a year and see kind of what happens and sure enough after that year came out this year and said they would not pay for
030for that so that cost is the district cost it it honestly doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I wish we could put him on every bus. It's just the funding, >> right? Yeah. It was a surprise that we, you know, my kid used it for the first time this year, so I didn't even know that was an option. >> We try to keep them on our the main activity buses, so they do have access to that. >> Anything else? >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Continuing on, Sheila Stewart, our director of food service, will be next with her budget presentation. So, good evening, Chairman Peterson and members of the board. I would like to take a few minutes to share our strategic planning goals for nutrition services and how our department supports student successes,
031wellness, and district sustainability. Last year, I shared some goals that we set forth for our department. Those goals were to improve nutritional quality and meal participation, promote nutritional education and wellness, strengthen financial sustainability, improve operational efficiency, and enhance stakeholder engagement and communication. Join me as we dive into a food inspired field trip and recap what we did to meet our goals. The magic would not help would not happen without our amazing staff. They are the heart and soul of the program. This year, my staff and I have worked hard to implement the changes needed to increase student meal participation by providing high-quality meals in schools. We have faced many challenges, including constantly changing federal regulations, decreasing enrollment, staffing shortages, and adapting menu items due to price increases to direct food cost. We work hard to
032bring awareness to school meals. On the first Friday of May, we celebrate our staff with National School Lunch Hero Day. I encourage each of you to stop by our cafeterias to watch school nutrition professionals prepare healthy meals for students. All while adhering to strict nutritional standards, navigating food allergies, and offering service with a smile. The tagline, not all heroes wear capes, is evident. Our heroes wear hairetss and willed serving utensils. As we enter our second year of participating in Wyoming Farm to School, we are excited about new opportunities. Governor Mark Gordon signed a proclamation declaring October 2nd as Wyoming's official farm to school day. Some of our staff members got to attend the first Wyoming Farm to School Expo in Casper. We were greeted by state superintendent Megan Danfelder and first lady Jenny Gordon who
033spoke on the importance of school meals and how the Wyoming hunger initiative programs are working together to end hunger in Wyoming. Um we even had students from Horizon use the farm to school corn shucking event from last year as our presentation for the tour of excellence here at UCSD. Number one, we planned a homegrown feast. Our menu consisted of sloppy cowboy joe's made with beef purchased from our very own Red Devil Ranch. Mr. Ellis and students from the FFA program helped shuck 1500 years of sweet Utah corn to serve to the entire district. Students also enjoyed locally grown pink lady. So now that I've shared some of the activities going on, let me share some of the results of current meals served. All all data is as of January 31st of this year. This year
034we launched a new cycle breakfast menu. I recruited the help of kitchen staff, students, parents, health care professionals, and chefs. We implemented proteins such as eggs, cheese, and breakfast meats to create a more balanced meal. At the beginning of the year, we were faced with a USDA sugar reduction in our breakfast items. Through some strategic menu planning and vendors reformulating their products, I'm happy to say that we are offering less added sugars to our students diets. We continue to take advantage of the Department of Defense's fresh fruit and vegetable pro program, excuse me. This allowed us to purchase fresh options, many of which are local with commodity funds. The students loved having new items. Uh I did learn a lesson serving blood oranges to little ones at Halloween. That's not a really great option if
035they don't know what that is. And we also learned that kids had no idea how to eat fresh pears. Our mission statement is feed the future. We take this role very seriously. School lunch is critical to student health and well-being, especially for children in lowincome households. It ensures that students have the nutrition that they need throughout the day. School lunches are designed to specific to meet specific nutritional guidelines, ensuring students receive a variety of food groups necessary for healthy growth and development. Eating lunch together with peers can foster a sense of community and social interaction. In addition to providing breakfast and lunch, we also provide after school snacks as well as our summer meal program that provides meals throughout the summer free of charge to children. This slide is a current snapshot of our free
036and reduced meal percentage. As a district, 44.59% of our students receive free meals. The the declining enrollment, economic downturn, rising cost of living, and lack of employment have all contributed to this factor. In addition to receiving federal funding, we offer catering to help close the financial gap. While ma while our main focus is feeding students, we have hosted bake sales, catered and have catered events inside and outside of the district. Our goals this year are as follows. Increase student participation by expanding breakfast and lunch through student driven menus and improved and improve access. Number two, enhance meal quality and satisfaction by serving nutritious, appealing meals students want to eat while maintaining all nutritional standards. Number three, strengthen financial sustainability by optimizing cost management by reducing food waste, improving procurement practices, and increasing meal participation to
037maximize federal reimbursements. Number four, invest in staff and operations by supporting and training staff to deliver safe, efficient, high-quality meal services every day. Also to upgrade kitchen equipment and facilities for better meal preparation. Um and to implement technology solutions for menu planning, ordering, and inventory management. And lastly, um maintain compliance and food safety by meeting all state and federal requirements with transparency with transparency and accountability. Thank you for your time. Do you guys have any questions? >> Yeah. Do you have a catering menu that can be accessed? >> I do not have a catering menu per se, but if you're looking for something particular, just let me know and we are happy to accommodate. >> Okay, great. I was just checking out chutery board >> or chuterie table. Yeah, >> that's been my first and
038only so far, but I think it turned out pretty okay. >> Looks good. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you guys for Thank you very much. >> All righty. That concludes our department reports. We can now move on to discussion items. >> Chairman Peterson, members of the board, I'd like to introduce Remy Woodward. She's going to provide us a update on the German foreign exchange program. Remy, come on down. And thanks for being patient. >> So, as of currently for our June trip where we're sending our Americans down to Germany, we have 10 students, including myself, and the students are currently raising their own funds to be able to participate. Um and we will be reporting to the board about that trip as soon as possible sometimes pockets. Uh for the September trip where the
039Germans will be coming here. Um we've received travel dates that the Germans will be arriving Thursday, September 17th, and they will be departing October 1st. So I think that's around homecoming time. >> That's what I was going to say. When was our homecoming game? I think it's in between then. >> It's that week. >> Okay. >> The 25th. Perfect. >> They have 17 students coming over here and two teachers. The Germans are very excited. They have a lot of applicants and they couldn't accept them all, but they tried. >> Um they will be attending schools and classes um with either a host student or another student kind of just shadowing them. so we don't have to come up with our own special schedule. Um, we will soon be asking for volunteers that hosts the German
040exchange students. As of right now, we're they're they're kind of doing like personality biography type tests over there so we can match them up with their perfect host family. Um, and we are hoping that some of the students that we're sending over there will be able to host a der exchange student. And I would like to thank Ryan Thomas and Scott Kohler for supporting me in the idea to facilitate this new program at night school. Is there any questions? >> No, I'm excited. That that's that's pretty cool. But >> were you able to secure any community support for this? >> Um, not officially. However, we've had a lot of community members coming forward talking about how they excited they are and how willing they are to participate as host families. We know that that was
041a concern um for some of the school administration was host families, but I I believe it won't be any problem. What about organizations? >> Um, the Rotary Club has sponsored $1,000 to our students for our program >> and that will be um used to um facilitate travels for any community while we're in Germany. >> So, what's the length of time you anticipate them being here? How many weeks or >> they'll be two weeks? >> Two weeks. Yes, >> they'll be in school for one week and then traveling around >> um for three weeks. >> So, a host family would be looking at two weeks. >> Just curious. >> Same for us. We'll be two weeks. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Appreciate the paperwork. General Peterson, the way up. >> Oh, just one second. Were you
042referring to people trying to donate or a route of being able to donate to this program >> when you were talking about organizations being involved with it a little bit? Is that what you were looking at? Monetary things to help support these kids. >> Yeah. >> So, I I guess that's the question is, is there something we can look at or the community can do or make them aware of it so we can make this uh happen a little easier for these kids? >> You're asking if we could if we could find a way to promote it to the community to where they might step up and and donate. >> Yes, >> I'm sure that could be done, but I'm not positive how. Unless it was something that we did through the newspaper or something
043like that, >> or the Evston I mean we have some Evston websites, you know, they're fairly active. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> And the students themselves are fundraising. >> No, they are. But what I'm saying, it would be nice to have the community involvement with it, you know, and I think that's what Brian is going down that road a little bit with >> with that. So, >> yeah, it seems like something the community might be wanting to participate in, you know, to It's a kind of a once in a-lifetime experience for some of these students to sure to get to go to Germany and spend two full weeks over there. You're both participating in school and touring around Germany and seeing what they have to offer, which is amazing. >> One of the things I'd
044suggest if we could if it work out, it'd be up to the high school, but um homecoming is pretty well representative. it might be good to put them on a float um during the parade and and recognize our student exchange students, our German exchange students on both sides, those who went and those who are here. >> And even a quick way is if you're interested, let us know. So, um that'd be one quick way we could do it, but uh there are lots of ways we can get that out. I would just >> Okay. Let us know if there's anything we can do to help. be pretty impressive for really anyone to ride a float in our homecoming parade. Throw candy. Another side of our community that many people don't see. >> All righty, Mr.
045Thomas, Chair Peterson, members of the board. This is uh um one of the things that we have done annually is our u budget development timeline principles and processes for 2627. These have always been important and I I would say that this year maybe more than others but really if you look back last 15 years probably 12 of those we've had potential budget crisis as of this time of the year um where for whatever reason um approaching the legislative session uh we're in a position where potentially we'll lose funding. Uh if you look back the last 14 years, seven of those years we've received additional funds. the other seven we actually had to reduce our uh spending uh using these budget processes and they've worked. So this year we are facing some challenges but I'm optimistic.
046So probably more than ever we need to make sure these are in place and really focus on what we believe is important as we prepare for the budget. So just going through this uh this is a tool that's been put together and John and I follow for years but uh budget principles and priorities is a balanced budget which is required by law. Uh meet the legal requirements of FAPE which is also required by law. Um and FAPE truly is not a high standard. We we do much more than FAPE which is free and appropriate public education. We provide a quality education for all individuals but FAPE is required by the law. uh our priority is to protect core pro core core programs first K12 that's language arts math social studies and science that's one of
047the suggestions that I may do as we we look at that this year is is a priority should be to protect our specialists and related arts and elective teachers too um that should be a priority in in our funding it always has been but the core is what we always have strived to protect it uh scrutinize all expenditures for possible savings reduce staffing when necessary through attrition. I think that should say reduce staffing when possible uh through attrition and uh uh I left it that way specifically. Uh I think we need to tighten that up a little bit. We're not to the point now where we'll say we're going to scrutinize every retirement or every resignation at the the possibility of saving uh funding. Roughly a certified teacher is $100,000. So, it's easy to determine
048how many positions you need to save to save a million dollars. Um, provide a salary increase for all employees. That continues to be my commitment. And I would like to be able to fund the salary schedules that we've approved over the last two years. Transparency data to stakeholders and decision makers. We've never really had a uh meeting between now and our budget session in July, but I have scheduled a public forum to review what's happening in the legislature. And really to start off with to explain how schools are funded. I think that's really confusing and not understood in our state. And honestly, we should be very proud uh how schools are funded in the state of Wyoming. We still do wonderful things. We've never said that that's not the case, that schools are well funded.
049It's just that they can they need to be continually competitive uh for teachers and continually be funded at a high rate. You may lose me for a minute. Uh transparency and we talked about that board reserve um to maintain between 7 and 12%. it. Depending on what happens with the legislation, that may be harder than ever before because now it becomes truly a moving target. If they change some of these funding streams, our carryover is going to go from 12% to 18%. Because our overall dollar dollar value or 40 million is typically what we look at for an entitlement will be decreased. So our 12% will skyrocket to 18%. Um, so we do have a buffer and we're watching that closely. it it's really kind of smok and mirrors. We're not increasing the amount of
050funding in those amounts. Same amount, just the percentage is calculated from a lower figure. And uh there are some things possibly with transportation that could impact that. But I do think we're in a positive place. Um we don't have cash flow issues like other school districts do. We don't have highs and lows and so uh a 12% carryover is is good. and is uh enough. So, we'll keep you informed as those that potentially fluctuates. Uh, and we need to continue to lobby to protect funding, a continuing ECA and then capital construction for for me now more than anything I think uh and Jiren will present next month um to maintain our major maintenance money, but we have these these uh uh projects that need to be funded and they're outside of the major maintenance dollar
051scopes really roofs. Um I've been here long enough. This is the second time we've talked about roofs set north and horizon or north and Davis in the last 15 20 years and now we're back again and uh um those are big dollar items. So with all the other things that are big dollars to maintain the schools at the level we do. So the rest is I'm not going to go through that. These these are timelines just kind of a date to put out there that I haven't added to this but I will. That is the public forum on educational funding is Thursday, February 26th at 6 PM at Evston Middle School. It will be in the paper. There's notice I think twice. Um and then we'll do a power school blast uh probably that week
052right before to encourage parents to attend. Um even with the second day of the legislative session, we're better off than we were on the first day. So, we'll keep our fingers crossed with that. Any questions? Oh, and it does down at the bottom, it does talk about um and you've already experienced our first two presentations is we do give every department an opportunity to talk to you about their budget needs and priorities. And so, uh we've switched to activities and special education with maintenance and technology. So, they're going to do a flip-flop, but we'll get that adjusted. But that is our budget priorities. Um, I'm confident uh that we will be able to continue to bring in the budget where we need to and provide staff hopefully um at minimum uh salary increase, but at
053maximum we'd like to provide the most we we possibly can. That's really dependent on what the legislators does with funding. So, that is our budget timeline and kind of processes. As always, we'll we'll keep uh I think every board meeting there is a uh budget update, a legislative update. Uh draft budgets are in May and then we have a budget hearing in June and then of course the budgets approved in July, the third Wednesday in July. So that's where we are. Questions? Um, I've heard the phrase first in first out in terms of budgeting, but I'm not sure if that's just like a back of the hand sort of thing or is that an actual like policy or I don't see that in here at all. >> No, it's it's certainly not a policy. It
054would be uh I think a procedural just kind of if you want to even get into fairness, you know, the last thing we add is probably the first thing that we lose. um if we have that kind of level cuts and those would be reflective of a more of a tier 2 or a tier three cut. Um we haven't had to go ever into tier three. Tier three would be um severe cuts, deletion of programs. Uh we've had over the last 14 years always tier one cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. Even that is not written, but it's kind of our standard. Um, I don't think I I could say that any of the last added programs aren't important. I mean, they're all important. So, how do you weigh the importance of
055one over the other? Well, you wouldn't. You would just say, look, that's kind of how this is structured. We had that discussion with administrators today. One of the last things added at our elementary is vital now, and that is our science program. um because it is a tested area, but that's not why we've added it. It's in a critical part of uh a fundamental education and it's a priority. That was the last added. I mean, is that the first we cut when we get to that level? Hopefully not, but that's where the discussion would start. Um you know, we've had history in the district for a long time. Um and we've even little talked about that is when I started at the elementary, we did not have the quality of program we have now. It
056is just built to what it is now and it is truly a premium program at a budget price. The legislators would say the opposite, but what we offer K12 is unique to us. And I think that's the important message is um the model funds our programs, but it is you um the school board through local control that determines how that funding is spent. um through your leadership in terms of direction and and now more than ever with our PLC's um getting at the grassroots of who's making the decisions about curriculum, it's our teachers. Um it would just be a shame to have to get into those tier tier 2 and tier three cuts where we even talk about programs. Um I would say and be cautious. Let's don't add any. Um let's uh let's don't
057look at anything new in terms of expenditures. Um because uh uh the two programs that we probably subsidize the most are food service and activities because in our community those are vital. So u anyway that's kind of kind of the overall picture. Um any of this can be mod modified especially as we get to the point where we do understand our bottom line in terms of our entitlement uh we look at this again but these are just guidelines that we have followed and I think we've been successful with for the last 15 years. >> Okay. Any questions at all? >> No. Okay. Okay. Okay, we can move on. Administrator contracts. Uh, Chairman Peterson, members of the board, you do have a list of administrators that their contracts will be approved uh in March. Um, again,
058there there's no representation of any increases at this point because we don't know that. Uh, there is an extra name on there. Um, just to point out that uh, Assistant Superintendent Riby uh, will retire at the end of this school year. Um, congratulations to him and his plans moving forward and and very proud of the work he's done and he'll be missed. But again, that's just for your perusal and it will be approved next month. >> Any questions? No. Yeah. So on we don't have any of that information electronically >> in our in our stuff. >> Uhoh. >> Yeah. >> He does. I don't. I >> I don't. >> We have the contracts. >> You have contracts. >> Mhm. I don't. >> There's no attachment to our contracts. >> You didn't sign into assembly then,
059did you? >> I did. >> Yeah. >> At my house. I looked at >> it, right? Cuz I don't have it. Surprise, surprise. No, >> I don't but I may assign on different >> single sign on. >> I don't have it either. That's interesting. Sherry has it. I don't have it. >> But >> again, >> I can throw throw those up on the screen if you want to see it. >> Of course. >> Yeah. So, how come I don't have it either? >> Somehow it must be the way you were logged on. Yeah. >> Now go to single right there. >> Now do single sign. >> You do that every single time it's signed into your actual account. That's >> so now you just go to meetings. Now I don't know how I missed that.
060>> See now you're signed in before anything you look at. No, we can't look at it. >> So now it should meaning list. You should be able to find it. >> Contracts. >> Yeah, they're there now. I I logged off and logged back on through my single sign on and it's there now. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, you just you lo >> Yeah. next to it. >> I can uh print one off if you'd like a hard copy. >> I got a hard copy right now. >> Okay, you do. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> It wasn't there first time. >> It wasn't because you wonder how I signed on first time. >> There you go. Always a mystery. How do you get it open? >> Click on it. >> Click on >>
061resignations. Is anyone I have a hard copy if anyone wants to see a hard copy? >> I'll take one. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Thank you. I didn't even know to say >> down. So, yeah, I changed it. So here somebody >> Yeah. Okay. >> Everybody had a chance to look through those? >> Yeah. Okay. And we're not going to approve those contracts today. That will be next month. >> Yeah. Okay. All right. That concludes our discussion items unless there's any questions associated with this at this time. Nope. Okay. We can move on to public comments. Moving on. Huh. Thank goodness. >> Nothing to say about somebody retiring the district at all? >> No, not really. No hope in talking into coming back. Okay. All right. Just ask him. Okay. With that being said,
062no public comments. We will now move on to our action items. Um, no personnel. >> Yes, there is. >> Mhm. >> Oh, was that attached in there, too? >> Yep. Okay. >> You need them? >> Should be in here. I can go through them orally if you'd like >> on the resignations. >> Yes, we have res. >> Yeah, I've got the resignations and the hires. >> Yeah. So, if roll down through those real quick, we've got one, two, three, four resignations, >> one hire and two leave of absence. So, >> correct. >> Okay. >> And our recommend recommendation is you approve all those of all those. Everybody see those? Yep. >> Y. Okay. So, I need a motion to approve the resignations and contract um as submitted. >> So, moved. >> Second that motion. >>
063I have a motion. I have a second. Jenny or Dave on the second. Uh any discussions? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. I need a motion to approve the school calendar for 26 27 and 27 and 28. >> Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion that we approve the calendar for 20 whatever the days were. >> 26 27 27 28 >> 28. >> Okay. I have a motion. >> Second. >> And I have a second. Any discussion? Janice a chance. But she wouldn't. We were waiting on you, Janice. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I was focused. I need a >> Oh, I'm sorry. I was focused. Okay, >> thanks Brian. >> Any discussion? >> Bringing that to everyone's attention. Thank you. >> Say I >> I hear motion carries. >> Yeah.
064>> Ready to move on? He's getting prepped for the next one. >> Yeah, I'm I'm seeing this right now. So, action items to approve the purchases of buses and vehicles. Chairman Peterson, members of the board, uh, Mr. Ferrell and and, uh, CFO Williams. So, come to ask for approval, um, WDE has approved us to replace two buses, bus for bus. One of them actually qualifies for DRA funds, which comes in at $55,798. Get back to DRA funds to replace that bus. That'll help us keep the age of the fleet down and it's always nice to have new buses to keep these students in. That includes uh purchase of two new camera systems for those two new buses that cost total cost would be 404 5.91 and 25. Um estimated delivery time. This is always a
065submit. They're saying July, August, they preemptively ordered a bunch that are already in manufacturing for districts like us that are going to end up ordering some. So we won't have to wait a whole another year. So if we were to order now hopefully I would say August, September is >> of this year of this of this year >> would be next fiscal year. >> Yeah, next fiscal year but the end of this year >> 26. Okay. to create. Um, and along with that, they've also allowed us to replace one bus for three student suburbans. Um, we have the six, the six student suburbans now. They're constantly used right now. The high school, we have three there that are being used pretty much every day. We've got one at Horizon and then two at transportation kind
066of flo around. We just are in desperate need of more students burdens. So that was the agreement with them and they said we could take a bus out of our fleet which would go from 34 to 33. We could turn that into two suburbans from 6 to9 and then they're just reimbured the same as a bus. They gave us up to the cost of a bus. So three suburbans would be um MSRP $689.95. They gave us a discount through their um bidding program, a little bit of a delivery fee because they are coming from out of state. Total be 196 515 and they are available. They have more. >> Those are the suburbans. And what's the difference between the bus and the suburbans? Are we going to have to pay more money? Because you said
067it was the cost of a bus. So, are we coming under or over? Does it >> under the cost of the bus? >> Okay, perfect. Okay. Yeah, we're allowed for a new bus. So, we're >> Okay. So, your proposal is two buses and three suburbans. >> Okay. Are they fast buses? >> The ones you brought out and that we raced that one time, they weren't that impressive drivers. >> We trave that much money. They should be faster. These will be uh the Thomas buses that we've been ordering. So, we'll just be keeping with the same >> and they're coming with the really comfortable seats that we tried. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. >> No, these are just be regular route buses 75 passenger just same same. >> So, you just need a motion to approve
068this. >> Talk to John first. John's done. But yes, we will. >> Are you done? >> Okay, you're done. >> John doesn't want to interrupt. >> The money man doesn't want to interrupt. >> All right. Thank you. All right. This is this is John. He's not here. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Uh Mr. Chairman and members of the board, there are some um legislative movements right now that will affect us if they go into play. And and so what let me kind of um I don't know if the recalibration bill passed this legislation or if it's something separate, >> but repres Representative Piner, this is one of his meetings and uh he's the chair of the recalibration committee. And so what they what the state is contemplating doing is is basically paying off all
069of the buses throughout the state. So right now what's happened is is that if we buy a bus, we pay for the entire bus with our money and then you get reimbursed 20% each year for 5 years. Okay. So what we've done at U101 all but in one year that I can remember is we have leased it because they'll pay the lease the the interest and everything and they you know it's like why why carry that money for 5 years but there's four years that we're we're not getting interest income on that. And so, um, the state is saying, "Hey, we are going to pay off all of those bus purchases and we are not going to allow you to do a lease." Okay? And so this bus that they're talking about, the two buses
070um in uh 2027 um would be uh we we'd pay for it in full, but you also get reimbured next year in full. Okay. Um so it so this this document kind of shows you the the cash flow. Um, and so in 2025, that's last year, we paid $22,000. In this year's revenue, we received $22,000. In 2026, we are scheduled in June to pay for the buses that are due $22,000. Then we have two buses that are SK that are going to be delivered in 2026. And so we've got if if the legislation goes into play, there's we shouldn't take out a lease between now and June. We've got to pay it in full. >> The budget doesn't >> it doesn't support that. So you you know it's a hey in June I'm going to
071come and and we need to gross that off. Okay. But the good news is is that you see on the the revenue column on 2027, we get $1.14 million coming in. Okay. So then Travis was talking about payments in full of three suburbans and he quoted you a number that's $1,000 more. He says 1965 and the number I've got is 1955. So okay. Um, and then we also because in order to get it reimbursed, we also have to pay off the leases. See, we we just been doing them as we go. Other districts that have paid off the the thing in full, well, they they've satisfied it. We haven't. And so if if you look down at the bottom in the the three numbers, it says 2026 expenditure budget for budget for buses is 667,140.
072That's the amount that's in the the budget as it currently stands. Okay. And I'm saying, hey, we're going to need uh 1,142. It's actually 143. It sounds like 2 27701. Okay. So, so we'll need to adjust upwards of $475,000 between now and June if the legislation comes into play. So, it's like I I what I would recommend is you um give a tenative, yeah, go ahead and start ordering the buses, but we'll we'll need to play that card when the legislature plays their hand. Okay. In other words, I don't want to, you know, pay off all the buses and and then they >> they don't do what they want to do. So, but but this gives you a cash flow kind of what's happening and a budget different differential. So, I I wanted to give
073you that before you make a motion. >> Yeah. >> And things there's so that there's understanding. >> Okay. Good. >> Is there a John? Is there a prepaid penalty on the lease? >> Um I haven't asked. Um, usually they'll they'll in most instances you can ask and say, "All right, you know, give me the the the uh the payoff amount." Um, so the answer is I don't know, but I think we can get out of it. They may give us ding us a little bit, but >> you know, I'll I'll see if I can pass that on to the state. That's that's their deal. So, any other questions? Nope. All right. Thank you. All right. So, I need a motion to approve the purchase of two buses and three Suburbans. >> Second that motion. >>
074I have a motion. I have a second. Any discussions? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Eyes have it. Motion carries. Congratulations. >> Thank you, >> Travis. Thank you, All righty. With that being said, we'll move on to our board roundt. Anything board round table? >> I would just like to say um and hopefully the principles can pass this on to their teachers and staff members. I know that there's a lot of trepidation out there involving this reccalibration and the legislation and everything. And I've heard few of the teachers are, you know, extremely worried. Um, I just want you to know that from a district and board standpoint that the focus in our district has always been our teachers and staff and our students. And um, I've heard that, you know, a
075lot of the teachers are feeling undervalued and just really worried about their jobs. But I just want to let you know and to let your staff know that I appreciate everything that you guys do for our district, everything the teachers and staff are doing and that we we always try and do everything within our power to make sure that we can maintain what we have and just build build going forward. So, if you'll please let them know. >> Great. >> I'd just like to thank Doug. >> Yeah. you know, for all of the work you put in here. Uh you've been a fantastic asset to the school district and we appreciate that. We're going to miss you. It's not going to be the same in here without you. >> You you can come every second
076Tuesday. >> Would like somebody to have public comments every once in a while. you're leaving some very big shoes to fill both literally and for your time. >> And so I would just like to, you know, congratulate you. >> Yeah. >> And uh wish you the best at whatever you choose to do next. And >> and the fall you can apply for the school board. >> Yeah. See there you go. >> There you go. >> State superintendent mobile construction. >> State super. >> Yeah. Good. >> The last board meeting for you two. So we can do this in >> June, I guess. >> June to June. >> June 10th. >> Well, I plan to come every other month. So every month I'll be here. >> Yeah. >> First Tuesday of the month. I know where
077I'll be. >> Yeah. Doodle Ryan, thank you. You know, so you'll be >> know one thing. >> Go ahead. I think we need to put out there to the public that they need to get involved with the legislature. >> Yes. Still >> and and still and and get get on top of what's going on. >> Yeah. Inundate them. >> Let them know that we care >> about our schools. Okay. >> So, encourage your staff to do that as well. >> Yeah. That make a big difference. >> Yeah. Well, and the other thing is this is an election year. >> Yep. So, um to get out and vote and really scrutinize who the candidates are and u hopefully uh Senator Scheler runs again. But, uh I think it's a it's imperative that uh the the people
078that are against not only the school district but the survival of the state need to go someplace else. >> Yep. Got people on the state level, too. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> I can tell you who to vote for, but I won't. >> Okay. Any other comments? None. >> Nope. >> All right. I need a motion to adjurnn. >> I would do that. I would make a motion to adjurnn on me. >> I got a motion and I have a second. Any discussion? None. All in favor? I >> I. >> Any opposed? I have it. Motion carries. We are adjourned.