001Makes sense. >> And we'll call this meeting to order. Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance 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. >> All right. Good evening, everybody. We're going to start our meeting by uh reviewing um a portion of our collective commitments. What we discussed in agenda review is every month having a section of our collective commitments on the the agenda to read out loud. We've had all of the board members sign. Nicole came in and and signed her portion since she wasn't at last month's meeting. Any comments or questions? >> I'd still like to get a picture. >> Yeah, we're all here. >> Are
002we all here? >> Madam Chair, I did have a question as well. We had talked about at one point publishing them as well. Is that still our plan? Okay. >> slated and it will be going to the IR. Well, we're in Denver next week and so the week when we get back. >> Okay. So, advocacy is our first section. The statement is, we will advocate for the highest quality education for all students and we pledge to advocate for and sustain a professional learning community framework that mandates a culture of high expectations. Champion district goals that proactively balance rigorous academic standards with comprehensive social, emotional, and physical development. Our advocacy ensures that we cultivate not just proficient students, but well-rounded resilient learners prepared for future success. Commit to a governance model that fosters a high performance
003environment where continuous learning is the standard for both students and staff. We advocate for the professional support and system systemic accountability necessary to ensure every member of our district community is constantly improving. Act as a bridge between the district and the public advocating for transparency in decision-making and fiscal responsibility. We commit to engaging our stakeholders in a collaborative dialogue to ensure our strategic vision reflects the values and aspirations of the community we serve. Um Next on our list is our mission vision statement. Hot Springs County School District number one will inspire students, staff, and community to be the top-performing school district in the state of Wyoming. We believe in learning as our fundamental purpose, collaborating for continuous improvement, focusing on results, and partnering with parents and community, preparing all students for their future. Um can
004I get a motion to accept the board agenda? >> Madam Chair, I move that we accept the board agenda as presented. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Madam Chair, I Let me get my um I do have a recommendation. >> I'm not saying anything. >> Okay. >> [laughter] >> I've had some questions from some stakeholders this week, and everybody knows that I was only here half a week last week, but those questions have been surrounding the contract for our PT services and questions around our handbooks. And so, I want to make a recommendation, if it's the board's will, to table those two items until July 9th until I can respond to those questions and and also um get feedback to the trustees about those questions and and um just let me be better prepared to deal
005with that. >> Okay. Um >> [clears throat] >> So, to table those two items, do we need to make a a motion to table them? Um so there's currently a motion on the table to set the agenda. So, we need to accept that motion and then make another motion to table those. >> No, that's not how that works. >> Madam Chair, >> Or I'm sorry. Do we need to amend the agenda? >> I'd like to amend the motion to exclude item E and item F under new business. >> Okay. >> Second. Now we vote on the amendment. >> Okay. >> Any discussion on the amendment? Okay. All those in favor? >> Aye. >> All those opposed? Okay. And then on the first motion on the table. >> Can I can we amend it one more
006thing as well? Can we move um the staffing recommendations to an executive session to discuss those a little bit? >> We can pull staffing recommendations when we get to that. You can request to to pull those and we'll then we can come back and vote on them after executive session. That's how >> So, do we need to add an executive session onto our agenda? >> Um I there should be one there um cuz we discussed having one there in case we needed it. >> Oh, it's not there. >> No, good catch. >> Sorry, good catch. >> And you can amend it to add it. >> Yes, so if you would do that, please. >> Okay. So, I would like to amend the original motion to um add an executive session. Where do you want to
007add it? >> Would it be an item? >> Well, it would >> be um let's do it item I under new business. Is that how we do it? >> Yep. Yes. >> Second. >> Okay. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Aye. >> All those opposed? Okay. And now the original motion of accepting the agenda. Any discussion? Okay. All those in favor? >> Aye. >> All those opposed? Okay. Our agenda is set. Thank >> you. Um, so we're moving on to delegations and individuals. And first item is monthly celebrations. >> Good evening, Madam Chair Trustees. I'm going to start [clears throat] this thing off tonight, but we have the honor of having Laura Stem here at the meeting and we're going to recognize her as the Hot Springs County School District number one Teacher of
008the Year. So, will you please come up? Congratulations. I I uh am going to have Mrs. talk about you a little bit, but before we do, I just want to let you know um how much I appreciate working with you this year and you have made me better in my role and and held me to a high standard and just like the standard that you hold to yourself every day. And I appreciate you very much and thank you for what you do for our children and what you do for this district. So, thank you very much. >> Good evening. Um it is my distinct honor to recognize Mrs. Laura Stem as our HSCSD number one Teacher of the Year. Um we are so very, very honored to have her represent our district as Teacher of
009the Year. She has had many roles throughout her years, but I'm really excited to have her as teacher at RWE and she has been such a wonderful advocate for children and also just a wonderful advocate for learning. And she has been a great supporter to our staff and to the science of learning as we really get have gotten going in that process. She's been a huge supporter and a huge educator for our staff to me and in that journey and so I'm really really excited that she is here and and has received this this honor and this award. She's worked incredibly hard to be a learner for herself. She is the epitome of a lifelong learner. All and she is constantly learning. She's constantly teaching us. She's constantly teaching her students not just in the
010classroom but outside of the classroom. She is very dedicated in her passion as a a teacher and in that craft and I'm just really really happy that she has received this honor. It's it's a very it's a very big honor and it's it's much it's much deserved. She has dedicated herself to being a letters facilitator in the district. So she not only teaches our our students but she teaches our teachers how to be better teachers in the classroom as teachers of reading and she has facilitated many things outside of reading. She brought in our book study this year um that we did as a district staff um by Zach Rochelle and she has just she has really pursued um learning for us as a staff. So it is a very distinct honor for her and
011it is much deserved and so we are just very thankful for for Laura and all that she has done in the classroom and outside of the classroom for her students and also for our staff. So much deserved. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> UM THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S VERY humbling and very um a great privilege to receive this award. So, and I had a speech, but I'm not going to give it. So. >> [laughter] >> It's okay. >> I just want to say that I had the distinct privilege of watching you grow as a teacher over all of these years and it's like graduation's always my favorite day of the year because we get to watch these kids that we watched grow through our district graduate and I feel so much of that when I
012see you up here because I knew you when your kids were really little and you wanted to be a teacher and then you're raising your kids and you're getting your education and working at the school district full-time and just to watch you blossom in that way, I'm so proud of you and you're just incredible and we're so lucky that our students get to sit in front of you every day. >> Well, thank you. I will say this um I just really appreciate the um the environment that you've created and the support that you give to us as teachers to to learn and grow and to be able to share what we are finding impactful in our classrooms with um not only with each other, but with people across the country and around the world and
013it's because of um because of your support and your um that that you allow us to blossom and grow like that and so, thank you very much and I'm deeply honored that I received this. So, thank you. >> So, Laura, I want to say it's people like you who make our community a great place to live and it's a privilege. Thank you very much. >> Well, thank you. Yeah. >> I have a quick question, too. >> [laughter] >> Um how is your conference coming? The planning of it? >> Oh, it's wonderful. We have all our speakers. Um we have a few from Hot Springs County, which I'm so excited about. Um and then yeah, so So it's open for registration and so now yeah, so everything's working really well. I'm really excited that it's I'm
014I was worried it was going to die and it hasn't yet. So >> [laughter] >> No, I'm really excited. I would love for all of you to be there. That would be really really great if you could join us. But yes, so thank you. >> Excellent. >> Madam Chair, I just have a couple things to and Laura, that is in October, is that correct? The conference is in >> 10th, yeah. >> Mhm. >> Um so I would also like to first of all like all the other comments as well. Um because I do remember uh very distinctly when you guys uh you and several other staff and in the building as a whole made made a difficult change from the um reading program at that time. Uh you put in tremendous hours, 1,100 I think
015or something at one time I heard it like PD time um to transition to the science of reading. Uh I had a uh kindergarten student who was transitioning into first grade at that time and I can tell you that I've seen a dramatic difference in the phonetic skills of my now going into sixth grade and even my freshman. Uh so I as a parent, I am very appreciative of that work. So thank you. >> And and Laura thank you. >> Sorry. Laura was instrumental in that. She was like the pioneer of that, right? She was She was the the the charge of that, so. >> Thank you. >> I have to say something as well. Sorry. Um I'm not sorry. Uh I I would like to echo everything that's been said as well. When I
016came here with my family 10 years ago now which is hard to believe, I remember seeing Laura working as a para. I've seen her kids grow up and then one of our biggest concerns was um our second to youngest coming out of COVID and she was really struggling capturing um some things because those formative first few years were online or that first year anyway was online. Um, and I know it wasn't just my child and I remember seeing Laura work so hard to make sure that these kids close that gap. And, um, anyway, I'll be forever thankful for that and for working so hard. I know it's not just for our kids and, um, I also know having worked in the district that it's quite a process to be voted in by all of your
017peers as the teacher of the year and I think that goes without saying, but, um, what an honor and we're just excited for the great things that you'll continue to do for the district. So, thank you. >> thank you. Thank you so much. >> [laughter] [applause] >> One quick thing, I also want to thank Barton >> [laughter] >> because he's had to listen to a lot of school stuff and he does it with a lot of grace and patience, so for him, too. So, thank you. >> to thank him very much. >> [laughter] >> Okay, moving on. Um, Rec District. Brian Parker is here to present the, uh, Rec District budget. >> Hi there, thank you for having me. My name is Brian Parker and I am the recreation [snorts] director for Hot Springs County
018Recreation District and so I just want to say thank you for having me at your meeting tonight. Um, you all should have a copy of our 2026-2027 uh, fiscal year budget in front of you. There are two sides to this, a operational side and a program side and I just here to let you review this, go over any questions that you may have for us or concerns and and just thank you for your continued support. >> Jen, you're on this committee, aren't you? >> I'm on the the rec board, Marshall and I are both on that. >> Do you have any thoughts on this or >> Well, um Fran, I wonder um if you could just review for for the public's information um what our our budget um it it looks like we're going to
019be over budget um and and what our our plans were and and why we we approved it that way. >> Yes, so um you can see we are over budget. Um and a lot of that is due to you'll notice on the operational side over where uh levy is listed uh we are receiving quite a bit uh less than we have uh years prior for our levy, so our income heavily depends on this levy and um basically that's the reason why we are uh over budget as much as we are and our strategy against that uh, to equal us out is the board has voted to, uh, increase program rates moving forward, um, at an appropriate amount to sort of make sure our programs aren't operating on a heavy deficit and are able to cover
020the, um, costs that we're accruing throughout the year. Um, >> [snorts] >> we have made a lots of improvements. Um, so our spending throughout even this year and last year has been a little bit, uh, more, but we've made great improvements to our ball fields, uh, updated a lot of our equipment, and, um, you can see that the quality of our programs are definitely reflective of that. So, um, that is one strategy that the board has approved, discussed and approved, uh, in order to combat that that little bit of, uh, overage there. >> And And the other discussion was, um, our savings, um, we we have money built up in savings, and, um, instead of just sitting on it, uh, we moved towards using it to maintain, uh, what we have and be able to
021pay for some of those improvements. And And that's part of the reason you save. Um, but we're we're in the business of using the money that is given to us, not just sitting on it. So, that was the discussion we'd had as a board. >> Mhm. >> So. >> Madam Chair, I'm sorry, we done? >> Yes. >> Um, Uh, Brian, I appreciate this, um, and those board members that are on the rec board, but I do think it's important for the public to hear that, uh, the value of the mill has decreased, >> Mhm. >> um, and has caused some, um, shortages in what you're able to provide or what you have to charge then community members to participate. But I do, uh, is this 30,000 that is uh, the total of the highlighted columns.
022Are those all items that come through funding requests? >> Yes, sir. Yeah, so yeah, all the highlighted items there that equal up to that 30,000 are funding requests. >> All right. I would like to just thank the Rec District for I mean that's a substantial amount and and those activities do fill some gaps in our community um uh you know, for a wide range of participants. Uh and we then or it seems and that the Rec District can um have more activities possibly with less stress on their their employees and um it increases the offerings that our Rec District has. So I I I do think that it's important for the public to know that our Rec District through those funding requests is funding 30,000 in funding requests. um and trying to provide as many
023options to our community as possible. >> That was the other discussion we had is uh with the the mill dropping um possibly not being able to sustain that level of funding requests in the future. >> Right. Uh Madam Chair, I have one other question. What is the increase for um uh participation? >> Brian? >> Uh so we're going to be doing a $20 increase. >> $20 increase? >> Across the board, yeah. Yeah. >> [clears throat] >> Okay. How much do you have in savings? I don't have it right in front >> So uh for total for bank accounts, this is uh our last meeting uh $477,029. uh Our other assets so be CDs uh uh $205,861.26 and then uh total assets would be $682,900 $861.55. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Madam Chair, oh sorry,
024go ahead and pull. >> Um does I know with funding all across the board we're going to start seeing increases in activity you know, cost for parents. Is there anywhere where students can receive a scholarship if they can't afford football or >> Absolutely, yes. So, we do offer scholarship options for those families that you know, those program fees are you know, out of their budget or a high stressor. Um that is all on a uh per case basis. So, um we don't have necessarily any parameters that we have to follow as far as the uh household income or anything like that. It's situationally based and um obviously the board has uh discretion in those choices as well as as myself here, but yeah, scholarship options are always available. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> I
025have one question, sorry. >> Sure. >> Um then we talked to or the question came about how much was in savings and pretty large number. Can you explain the reason why the record was uh saving that money? >> Yes, sir. So, um we are striving for a new facility and we uh understand that we are currently uh sitting on a lot of money, but um that's pennies to what we need for this uh new facility project which we're uh striving to get to get built. >> Great. >> We want to see a new rec center with uh some more options, more gym space, uh just something that would not only benefit our programs, but to just the community as a whole. >> That'd be great. Okay. >> I just quickly want to thank you, Brian.
026I know you've been here for several years now and you continue to dedicate your time and effort to the Rec District and I for one appreciate it. You know, our our kids uh, participate in several sports and different things that are offered and so thank you for the work that you do. >> Yeah, thank you so much. Appreciate that. >> Okay, can I get a motion? Madam Chair, move that we approve the Hot Springs County Recreation District FY27 budget as presented. >> I'll second. >> Any more discussion? All those in favor? >> Aye. >> All those opposed? Okay, thank you, Brian. >> Thank you so much. >> Okay, Superintendent's report. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. First on my report, I'd like to talk about the newly um, adopted after tonight cell phone policy or our
027electronic use policy JICJ. And you can see that in the in the agenda down a little ways. But I I would like to acknowledge our friends down in Cheyenne, our legislature, and we've had a lot of robust debate this year um, about school finance, all of those things, but this one this one they got right. And now districts have the backing and the leverage of of state statute to help us enforce limiting that screen time for our students because study after study is emerging the importance of that. And and I just wanted to put that as a piece in my update that I want our stakeholders and folks to know that it is something that is important to the state of Wyoming, not just nationally and not just our schools. And so, district-wide next year,
028you can expect business as usual. Um we do have Mrs. Sizz here, Mr. Luby here, where we will continue a bell-to-bell ban with electronic devices at our elementary and middle school. Um expected in their lockers, their backpacks, not to have the smart watches on, those types of things. At the high school, um we know that we're transitioning leadership there. Um working with the high school staff at the closing days professional development, the high school staff believes and they are at consensus that they do want um the cell phone ban enforced bell-to-bell to lunch. We have open campus and we want students to be able to have their cell phones for lunch. Some of them do drive distances out into the country and more rural areas than the town. And then when they arrive back, it
029is the intent of the high school staff to then again expect them cell phones to be put out of sight. The policy was tailored slightly by the district admin team with input from stakeholders. That does allow the principal some discretion as needed. And um those things will be handled at the build-building level as principals um deem necessary and appropriate. If there are some adjustments to how I presented it here tonight in my update. So, if you have any questions, I'm open for that and the admin team is here as well to respond. Moving on, the admin workshop, I would like to um talk about June 2nd and June 3rd just a little bit. The admin team, formerly known as admin boot camp, but we prefer admin workshop, worked very hard for 2 days, and I
030would like to commend the entire team for being there. Um Jessica, obviously, Cassie, Nicole Sez, Darren, and Maryn Hillman. We were there and we worked on various issues, everything from uh updating the matrices for the handbooks to talking about adult attendance, um leadership professional learning community framework, and what we would like to do is continue scheduling that 2-day workshop for the week following um the teachers' last day at school. Okay? And so, what I would like to ask at this time is the trustees consider later on in the year when you approve dates to adding these dates, the admin team workshop, the Tuesday and Wednesday corresponding dates moving forward. But, the reason why I put it on the superintendent update for tonight is I would like to a third day there so that the admin
031team can just take care of it early summer, and we have all summer to plan and respond to the year-long data. I would like to propose to the trustees that we add the board workshop a third day there or within that time, so it just becomes a reciprocal date. We're making it a year ahead of time, and we're not in the position um that we are in this year where we're vetting that date and working around a lot of conflicts here in this year with vacations, elect, you know, all those things. It's just been It's been pretty tough to get that date locked down that doesn't conflict for someone. So, that's my proposal tonight is is we change it from a 2-day board retreat to a 1-day workshop where the AM portion of that would
032be data share outs by the admin team, um a working together lunch, and then in the afternoon, my proposal would be as we could talk about the district-wide climate culture survey that we're going to do annually per the board collective commitments. That could be something we look at that afternoon and then work on setting broad district goals and superintendent specific goals at that time and and then we have it to respond to the rest of the summer and we're ready to roll as the following school year happens and that way people have time to plan. >> Okay. Any questions or discussion? I think that's a a great idea if we just have a set day and time for the board workshop. Quit calling it a retreat and >> [laughter] >> uh just join in while
033while the admin is here to finish up the school year and then it's just set and we don't >> It would the timing also would be good for the admin I would think where so we set our goals and what we're thinking and then that gives them time to think all summer about what. Yeah, I think I think that would be good. Yeah. So we just got to keep that uh going in our mind. We do set all of the dates at our December meeting for all of our regular meetings um for the year and we'll just uh in December set that that board workshop, too. Great. Okay. >> In the meantime, in the board update that I send on Fridays, we'll continue to vet dates, but we know the reality of it is as
034we're looking towards the end of July or somewhere in August this year for varying reasons why it's working out that way, but moving forward we'll have this issue resolved. >> Great. And did you have any dates to throw out for uh us now? >> I don't at this time because I haven't been able to secure um dates for all the admin team since a couple of weeks ago when we had them and those have adjusted just a little bit with all of us. >> Okay. But we're looking towards the end of July then, beginning of August. >> Yes. Okay. Did all of us as board members send dates to Jason that wouldn't work for us? >> For uh July I believe we did. >> Yeah, we have those and and we'll we'll do some looking
035and we'll vet out some further dates here ASAP so that we can get going and get that on the board. >> Okay. Um board member and committee reports. So, my computer just died which I don't know why. It had a full charge. Um >> We could hear it all the way over here. >> Um anyways, I'm going to try and remember the list the best I can. I know Rec Board was number one on the list and where we just approved the budget. Do we need to go over it again? >> Uh there were a couple things we talked about that weren't on the budget. Um >> Thank you. >> The one of the things that came up was the uh crow's nest replacement. Uh we had a bid that everybody approved and that crow's
036nest uh is expected to be replaced um what, November? I mean the bid went to uh Witt Construction. And if I remember correctly, it was right around $51,000 to replace that crow's nest. That was the the >> one main thing I remember. >> And we got approval for the feasibility study for the new facility, and Brian is looking at um grants to pay for that feasibility study. So, I'm making some progress with the new facility. And yeah, the Crow's Nest is one of those big ticket items that made us so over budget, but um it needs to be done. So. Um Northwest BOCES. Bethany. >> Um there wasn't a whole lot. We spent a lot of time on our um administrative evaluation process. Lots of incoming students and outgoing students. Um not any big changes
037other than continued um improvements to the facility. There is some walls and construction that's going to happen. Um new beds for the houses. The beds are older than me, and that's pretty old. So, it's pretty important that we get some new mattresses and things for those students down there in that residential facility. Um not nothing super huge or changing. There will be an upcoming picnic, which I hope to have you there again, Mr. Foose, and and I always invite Cassie. She is one of those instrumental people that work with those BOCES teams. So, that's always one of my favorite things to go to. We get to go meet the students. They feed us. They show us their garden. We get to see their bedrooms, and it's a it's a really big deal for those students
038and to to see the staff. Um that's one thing I I think I need to do a better job as is learning the staff at BOCES. You will see them out in the community, and and sometimes I know the kids, but I don't know the staff members. So, that's a goal for me, but anyways, no big changes, and things are going great. So. Um Hot Springs Early Childhood BOCES. we have not had a meeting. Um and I don't know that we have one coming up anytime soon. We We only have to meet quarterly. Um and we just had one last month, so. Uh CWC BOCES, Sherman. >> Um so we meet quarterly as well and have not had one since our last meeting. Um I believe they'll be presenting next month um their budget. >>
039Uh um so uh I'm not certain if we'll have a meeting prior to that or if that meeting will count as our meeting. Um so no meeting. >> Okay. And DGC, is it out for the summer? >> Uh so we did Yes, we are, but we did have a meeting in May. Um so uh >> We talked about that at the May meeting, I think we did. >> Okay, yeah. >> Yeah, we can forget that. Okay. Finance and Building Committee. >> [laughter] >> Um really with the Finance Committee, um we I don't think I brought my notes, but the we talked a a lot about um the budget and that process. We talked about uh payroll, how that's basically all of it gets accrued in in June. Um but doesn't actually get paid out until
040through It gets paid out July and August for what accrues in June. Um we talked about the project the roofing project, but I can't really remember what was going on. >> think we talked a whole lot about the roofing project. The majority of it was about the the incoming budget and just what you said that you'll see a a higher amount under uh the monthly budget because of salary accruals and that's a normal thing that happens every year uh to make sure that that's accrued in the in this current fiscal year before it shifts over. >> She's going into doing the audit. She's they've they've done a lot of requesting of preliminary documents and she's sent those off. >> Yeah. And I think the majority of what we talked about was us a just kind
041of a review of all the individual items that we've been talking about within uh the budget. She's added all of the compensation changes, all those things that you'll see if you've taken a minute to some time to review that. Um and I would say just there's still some unpredictable There's still a lot of unpredictability and so I know that um Jessica will be monitoring that as as we go and getting interpretation from you know, what the legislature has approved already, but there's still a lot you know, several unanswered items. Specifically, I would say the benefits, uh health benefits and how that's going to be reimbursed, how it's going to affect um our budgets and just I am glad that I'm not in her seat right now just because there are some of those variables, but
042I do think that between her and Dr. Foose, they've got uh a solid plan together to make sure that they can make adjustments as needed as they get that information. So >> One of the other big item ticket items that we talked about was the lease on the buses that are if you guys looked at your financial statements, the lease payments for the buses are two really big items on the bills that get got paid this month and those are it's It's of crazy cuz the state's going to buy out the leases um in December I think is when they're expecting that payment to basically buy out all the leases on the buses. So, we're going to get this windfall of money, but um these payments that she paid out which is like 150,000 um
043this month won't get re- won't get reimbursed on our normal schedule. She'll have to wait until that December payout for those. So, um anyway, we talked about the strange timing of that because normally those would get reimbursed the next month. But, they're not being reimbursed right away for those. >> Impacting cash flow just a little bit. >> Yeah. So. That was one of the big things that we I think that's about everything. >> I think this is a good >> casual meeting actually. >> Yeah. >> It was a good meeting. >> Yeah, it was. >> I thank thank you for bringing up that bus purchase item because that is changing and that does, you know, create some more hoops to jump through to get to that point. I think that was probably the biggest item
044that and, you know, the health care piece with the legislative changes, but Are we forgetting anything? >> No, I think that's pretty good. >> Thank you for that. Any questions? >> [clears throat] >> Okay, are there any legislative updates? Okay. We're going to move on to routine items. >> [clears throat] >> Do you want to Do you want to talk about the >> Oh, I skipped um I'm sorry. I skipped visitor and public comment. Um What did you want me to talk about? I'm sorry. >> Under other you want to touch base on the >> book study that we started real quick under other? >> Oh, well, it's listed under other at the very end of our meeting. >> Okay. >> Is where I stopped I read it. >> Sounds good. Okay, sounds good. >>
045But we can move it up if you want. >> Nope, I don't. >> Okay. But I did skip. I'm glad you stopped to me visitor and public comment. Do we have anyone? No. Okay. Now we're moving on to approval of minutes. >> [clears throat] >> Can I get a motion, please? >> Madam Chair, I move that we approve the following minutes. The 5 21 26 regular board meeting minutes and 5 21 26 executive session minutes. >> I'll second. >> Any discussion? Okay, all those in favor? >> Aye. >> All those opposed? Okay, approval of staffing recommendations. >> Madam Chair, I move that we pull [clears throat] staffing recommendations and move it to item I or following item I executive session. >> Second. >> Uh any discussion? All those in favor? >> Aye. >> All those
046opposed? Okay. Bills and financial statements. >> Madam Chair, I move that we approve the bills and accept the financial reports as presented. >> I'll second. >> [clears throat] >> Any discussion? Or questions? [cough] >> If I may, Madam Chair, I I I don't want to pull anything. I just want to comment on something I saw the cost for transferring a bunch of data from to what we're using now, Assembly, and that as a business owner, like I hate transferring stuff when I get a new software, and I just know the amount of time that the staff must have put in to doing that, and I appreciate it. >> Well, [laughter] don't thank me yet, because I'm not the one who did it. It was the Finance Office. >> So, that's all I had but yeah,
047I I saw that and I was like PTSD flashbacks for myself. >> [laughter] [clears throat] >> Yes, thank you Britney. Okay, any more discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed? Okay. Old business. Policy revisions. Can I get a motion? >> I Well, okay. So Should I volunteer? >> Everyone's like, not me. >> I motion Let's see. I move to approve the second final reading of the proposed policy revisions. Can I say as listed or do we want to go >> You can say as listed. >> As listed. Um >> I'll second that. Any discussion? Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed? And those policies are approved. Revisions are approved. We're moving on to the policy adoption, which we discussed last month. Dr. Foose had a little discussion on. Can
048I get a motion to adopt this policy? >> Madam Chair, I move to approve on second final reading the adoption of policy JICJ student use of cell phones. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Madam Chair, I just want to thank everybody for their work on this. I think it's great that we have a policy and um that we have limitations on cell phone use in school. >> Okay, anything else? All those in favor? I All those opposed? Okay, we have a new policy. Moving on to new business. Policy revision. First uh reading for these policies. Can I get a motion, please? >> Madam Chair, I move to approve on first reading uh the following policies as listed. >> Second. Any discussion? >> I don't think I do. >> Want me to read the titles uh
049so that public knows what what policies we're reviewing? [clears throat] >> I don't think it hurt, Madam Chair. >> Okay. Chain of communication, student residency form, student dismissal precautions, student gifts, student fees, fines, and charges. Okay. All in favor? I All opposed? Um So, this policy was just reviewed. There are no changes being recommended at this time. I know there was some discussion about um language changes, but that's coming at more of a state level, right? >> Right. >> So, right now this language is consistent with the state language, and so that's why we're not changing it. To just keep consistency. Okay. Moving on. WHSAA activity enrollment. Can I get a motion, please? >> Madam Chair, I move that we approve the 2026-2027 WHSAA activity enrollment and catastrophic insurance. >> I'll second. >> Any discussion?
050All those in favor? >> I. >> All opposed? Okay. Meal pricing. >> Madam Chair, I move to approve the participation in the CEP program providing meals to students and approve the price increases to non-student meals, extra milks, and seconds. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Any discussion? >> Madam Chair, I I would just add I'm sorry, Nicole, you raised your following to be called on. >> Get it together, Sharon. >> Yeah, Nicole gets to go first. [laughter] >> Oh. Well, go ahead, Nicole. You You raised your hand. >> just a couple of things. First of all, what a huge benefit for our district for students not to have to pay for breakfast and lunch. I think it's massively uh just a great thing for our community. I think our parents appreciate it. Um just a reminder
051that parents do still have to pay for seconds, um which sometimes people kind of forget that part. But also, I would like to extend a question, I guess. Um in the past, we've offered our first responders free meals if they want to come join our district for lunch. Is that something that we're still kind of okay with? Or does this cause a difficulty with that? >> No, we're definitely still okay with that. And um I don't know if the word is free, but we would have a superintendent discretionary account where that would come out of. >> Great. Cuz I That's something we need to discuss again, but I know it's always really awesome, especially when our officers or our firefighters um come and join the kids for lunch. It's kind of fun. >> So, absolutely.
052And And I just think it's important that we and the trustees know that they are welcome and they are invited. So, thanks for bringing that up. >> Yeah. >> [clears throat] >> Uh Madam Chair, uh um because this is uh meal pricing, I just wanted to make sure because I think um there was a little uh Nicole read that um quickly and uh said providing meals um I want to make sure that the word free is in that motion. >> Yeah. Oh, maybe I missed I don't think I said that. >> Um she well, she didn't have to because um in the motion she said um participation in the CEP program, which is which is what is paying for the meals. So, they're not free. Um >> Correct. >> is paying for the meals and
053so that's how she >> But and I I only provided that clarification for uh public that may not know what the CEP program is. Um and that they yes, that they are providing the free meal. >> And that uh Nicole did add that they do have to pay for seconds and an additional entree for lunch for students uh um is what two $2.50. And there is no seconds on breakfast. It looks like to me. >> Yes. >> Um I do want as as uh a board to also note that we have a transferred 172,000 to the school lunch program. So, basically at this point as a board we're covering those costs. I mean, even though the federal government is reimbursing us for some of it, um we are taking a fairly big hit on it.
054So, >> Thank you for pointing that out. Yes, that's >> [clears throat] >> that is true. And so, it might be a program that we cannot continue in the future because it is costing us. So, yes, thank you for that clarification. >> Okay. >> Any [clears throat] more discussion? All those in favor? >> Aye. >> All those opposed? Okay. Um the handbooks have been tabled and the physical therapy services have been tabled, so we are going to move on to occupational therapy services bid award. Can I get a motion? >> Madam Chair, I move to award the occupational therapy services bid for the 2026-2027 school year to Trilogy Therapy. >> I'll second. >> Any discussion? Yes, Dean. >> Um why Well, Sherman did raise his hand as well. >> No, no. That's >> [laughter] >>
055I'm sorry. >> I was just trying to practice, yeah. >> Um I'm just wondering why we're going out of the area for those OT services and um if we did receive any other bids. I know it's not fair to ask you since Jessica's not here. >> Um and I did talk briefly with Cassie about this one and and she felt like this was the only option that the district had to meet the needs and so really this was one option and this is where she went. >> And so are they going to be driving over from Dayton or is it going to be online? >> It'll be online. There will be some in face, but the majority of it that will be online. Virtual. >> Sherman? >> Well, so my question kind of goes along
056with that as well. Um uh I think that if those are the options that we have, but um I just do want to state that my preference would always be to have an on-site therapist to provide uh skilled services. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Okay, all those in favor? >> Aye. >> All those opposed? Okay, the bid is approved. Moving on to psychological services contract. Can I get a motion? >> Madam Chair, I move to approve Peak Behavioral Services to facilitate efficient oversight of the diagnostician and timely delivery of contracted behavioral services 2026-2027 [clears throat] school year. >> Second. >> Uh any discussion? Sorry. >> Sure. Well, I I would have the same discussion um as last time I did uh the and as Trustee Skelton had to as um whether or not we had
057received other bids and uh that in the future um are these uh uh telehealth as well? Virtual? >> Yes. >> All right. So, and >> Both. And I know that it's blended. >> Okay. Those services are difficult to find somebody locally, but whenever possible, I I feel like our students benefit most from having an in-person uh professional. >> I would I would just add that this is very common to the majority of the districts in the state of Wyoming are outsourcing these types of services just because they are so specialized and and um it's tough to find these kind of providers locally. >> It is. >> Is Is this out of >> Is this out of Worland? >> I think it's Greybull. >> Yeah. >> Greybull. >> The address here is Cheyenne. >> Where do
058you see that address? >> Yeah, I was looking too. >> On on the top of the professional services contract, if we if you open it up the actual contract piece it it says Cheyenne. So, I I thought they had an office in Worland, but >> Yeah, I think that's where the bid came from and I do believe that the majority of this work is from the Worland branch. >> Yeah. The reason I ask is just wondering if they will be driving over. I mean, if that's close enough, they could be doing some in person. >> [laughter] >> She covers the state. >> Okay. >> [laughter] >> Is this the same one from last year? >> Yes. >> We could all be wrong. >> [laughter] >> I think it's fair to say that they have >>
059Did you open it? >> Well, >> Okay. >> Any other discussion? I could not get the contract to open. >> I can't either. >> Neither. So, I don't know, Madam Chair, but um, our access is not is not able to do that. Maybe >> I'm apparently on the internet. Thanks, Britney. Appreciate that. >> [laughter] >> But >> Um, are you logged in? Cuz if you're just in as a guest, it won't let you go in. >> Well, I'm I'm logged in, but it might might be I might be under I might be logged in under >> You and I. It's this side. It's fine. I'm sorry I asked. I don't know. >> It's fine. I'm good. >> Okay. >> Something I should have said. >> Just wondering if they could drive over cuz in person
060is important to me as well. All those in favor? >> Aye. >> All those opposed? Okay. Can I get a motion to go into executive session? >> So moved. >> Wait, we need to go into discuss personnel. >> personnel. That, too. Second? >> I'll second. >> [laughter] >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed? Okay. >> Sorry, I didn't vote. Um Uh Someone distracted >> Chair, I move that we adjourn from executive session. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. Aye. Aye. >> All opposed? Okay. Can I get a motion to approve the staffing recommendations, please? >> I move that we approve the staffing staffing recommendations as presented. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> Aye. >> All opposed? Okay. Other business and board comments. So, this
061is where we have our book to discuss. And um our positive uh comment for the month. Um So, we were supposed to read pages 1 through 21 of Upstream Thinking. Um I'm looking at the table of contents. Um Moving Upstream is what that section was titled. Um anyone want to start? You. >> On Upstream? I'll start. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Um just I I guess um to to kind of put some of my initial thoughts together, I love the book, first of all, the point that I've gotten to. And I think I might be just a little bit further than where uh, we're we're assigned, but I've also had some travel, so I've gotten to to read, but um, the examples that are that are in here, and there are several, but um, I think
062very early in the book, and I'm not finding exactly where it is, but he makes the analogy of you know, catching these kids coming down the river, and the whole point of the concept of upstream. And so, his buddy takes off, and he's asking him, "Where Where are you going?" And he said, "Well, I want to go see who's thrown these kids in the river, so we can figure out, you know, so we're not just stuck here trying to save them when it's too late or on the verge of too late." And, um, I love that analogy, because I think it can apply in so many circumstances. In my personal work, this is exactly what we're doing in the ski industry. And so, this book really aligns well with the work that we do, but
063we're challenging people to think differently about just accepting that people are going to be injured, you know, on a spectrum of injury up to fatality, even. Um, and it's not that, you know, ski companies don't do good things, but I know we can think about this from a different perspective, and I know that we can bring that entire community together to improve. And so, then I take that, and I I look at the school district, and I look at particularly the the kids, obviously, in our district. That's the whole point that we're all here. And what are our blind spots? Are we not seeing those? As a newer board member, to me, that's my biggest concern is um, I I want to know from teachers' perspective, from administrators' perspective, like what are our blind spots?
064Where Where do we need to be looking at? And I think that we see some of that through data. And I think it's important to to look at at the data and realize that there truly is a name behind every figure in those data sets. Um it's not just a number. It's not, you know, these things they're they're people's lives that really matter. There are young people that are our future. And so um anyway, I just I think all the different things, you know, he's not necessarily saying when he makes um comparisons to the way that other countries run health care, for example, or the infant mortality rate, all those things that there's necessarily like one specific way that you need to do it, but we do need to identify whether we've got blind spots
065or we need to circle back to what we know needs improvement and be targeted about our approach to that. And so I'm excited to see what continues to come because I'm already inspired. Um but those are just a few of the things that stood out to me early on in the book. And I just absolutely love the upstream. You know, we can't solve a problem by just waiting >> for it to happen. >> for it to continue to happen or see that a problem is continually happening and just live with it, you know, but too often as human beings we just kind of do. And sometimes we need a wake-up call on some things. So, anyway, I'm excited about that. So, great great recommendation, Dr. Feus. I'm into it. >> It caused a few gray
066hairs. >> [laughter] >> I don't think you should stress that much about a book study, personally. Yeah. But I I do think that it's obvious that you've spent time looking at where you want your focus to be um for the board, you know, as we read this. And I don't know know the admin team is reading it as well or not, but um >> I think most of them have read it. >> Okay. >> Great. >> But, you know, even if they haven't, maybe that's a recommendation that um as we kind of work our way through this, that maybe you take some time in the fall to Not that we want to add more work, but it's very enlightening and inspiring the things that we can take a look at and look at it through
067a different lens. >> Thank you. >> So. I probably spent too much time on that, but >> Does anyone else want to add or >> So, Madam Chair, I'm going to combine my um shout-outs with the book study uh if that's And um I'm going to do that because there are also I I don't ever want people to think that um that uh being proud uh means you're satisfied because I'm not I'm never satisfied. Um uh sometimes that probably drives uh family crazy, but anyway, um I I also really enjoyed the book and I I appreciate the upstream thinking and it may There were some examples that that came to mind in that and and there's many examples that we still need and have got to always do better at. Um but one it is
068our um sources of strength. The whole that whole program is built on um upstream solutions to prevent downstream problems. Um we celebrated a teacher tonight that has been part of upstream thinking um uh her and some cohorts, you know, in when seeing some gaps in learning, uh they really uh um you know, stepped out on a limb and it was not easy to have some of those conversations with colleagues maybe that were resistant to making that change. We had to rework a whole schedule um a calendar to to provide those uh that PD. Um I highlighted uh the portion on page 16 about the study of major urban school district to increase its graduation rate by 25 percentage points by focusing intensely on a single year of high school. And I think we've we've some
069of that has been modeled in how we focus on early success for incoming freshmen. Um and how that can lead to increased graduation rate and in keeping that student retained in our buildings throughout. And again, there's many many things that we need to do better, but I do think that there are some of those things came to mind when I was reading this and I believe firmly in the idea of upstream thinking and problem-solving. You would shout out an email about a time frame on the book study. And so I also wanted to just add, I feel it would be great if we could wrap this book up by November because, you know, they'll uh be different positions here on the board and and I think it would be valuable for this collective to be
070able to finish this book study in that time frame. >> So I did look at that. And I'm kind of the person who always divides the book up. Um So the way I was looking at the sections, we could get it done in 1 2 3 4 months. >> That'd be perfect. >> Yeah. >> I'm sure I'll commit to whatever we decide as a group. >> I I just also want to say Chauncey had to throw in there that he's um a you know, leading the charge for three days ahead. I did not read ahead. I'm a rule follower and I stopped where I did the very place to stop. >> So there's section 1, section 2, and section three. Um section two is considerably longer than the other sections. So, if we did section
071one for next month and then split section two in in half and did half of it one month and half of it the next month and then finish with section three. That would put us at at four months of of reading the book. Is that an acceptable pace? >> Absolutely. >> Yep. >> Yeah? So, section one for next month. Um I would echo uh Sherman and Chauncey's uh thoughts on the this first section. Um it's it's a great intriguing intro. Um and yeah, it wants you wants you to it made me want to keep reading more. Uh what it brought to my mind as a board member is sometimes sitting in this board room and uh making the motions and reading the policies and doing the things that it is that we do um throughout
072the years I have uh seriously contemplated what's our impact on the actual student learning. Like Laura being in here, her impact is obvious. She's all hands on deck. She gets to be with them. She gets to to see the improvements. Those are things that we don't we're not a part of on a daily basis. We come in here once a month. We read our packet. >> [clears throat] >> We have some discussion. Um but this upstream thinking he he's really talking about leadership and and being a leader and the importance of having leaders. And so, um appreciate each and every one of you. That's my positive comment. I appreciate all the time that you all spend in having a board be the leader of the ship is an important thing. And something I've learned over
073the years that we do make an impact and we do make a difference. So, I'm going to enjoy the book. Thank you for the recommendation. >> That's me. All right, I'm going to follow Upstream. I am also a rule follower to the key. I'm on chapter five, mind you. Excellent [laughter] book. I have requested it or I sent it to a couple of colleagues who are already starting reading it and for inspiration for the next school year. Good book. I really like how it does pinpoint when people get in and they go to a meeting and half the time you feel you leave and you're like, "Did we even talk about what we were supposed to talk about?" So, I really like how I hit on that that if you're going to build a committee
074to talk about a problem, then you need to talk about that problem. And it and I don't I I should stop ruining things cuz I went ahead, but it was a it's a really cool book. I like it. Stop the problem before it happened because how often do you Now, who's throwing the kids in the river? You know, like why is there like not to be reactive, be proactive. Fix it before you have the problem. Makes sense when you say it out loud, often we don't do it. So, good book and like I said, I've already told two people to read it and they're on it. So, my shout-out is going to be because we were talking about the lunch program and I always circle back to my own children. Soren now eats breakfast twice
075every school day. Eats breakfast at home and he eats breakfast at school because it is free and we are trying desperately to get him to be taller than what he is now which means he needs to eat. And so, the fact that he eats twice a day, I want to say Randy, I'm going to slaughter her last name, so I'm just going to say Randy M. Um the lunch lady who I talked to a lot at the middle school. Randy is I know she really wanted this program. I know she did a lot of research and I know she really really worked hard with Jessica to get it and I think it's an amazing opportunity for our community. Um our kids eat, that helps them learn. If they do not eat, they do not learn
076and they do not grow. So um shout out to Randy and all of those cooks because they do a great job and they feed so many people and they do awesome and food's important for learning. All right, you're done Chancey, so we're going to go to Did you like how I just skipped you? >> Yeah. >> We were like on a mission to get out of here. I'm just like bust through. >> Well, anyways, I I forgot to bring my book by. I did read ahead because I started reading before we had the changes. Anyways, it is really good. I'm actually thinking about making my associates read it. So uh And I guess my one positive comment is I Now my daughter is I'm an empty nester and I get to see the uh how
077I say the next step I I and what I the school has helped prep her in this, you know, here in Demopolis and I'm really proud of the work that's gone into that. Pretty proud of the fact that she went to school here. Yeah, I went to school >> And she'll be driving to you home? >> [clears throat] >> Yeah. >> That's right. She's old enough to drive you home. >> That's awesome. Uh I have not started the book yet because I was gone last month, so I got it tonight, so I look forward to reading it. Um my positive thing is that I really want the community to remember that while school is out, there's still a huge group of people that are working in the summer. And they tear apart our buildings from
078top to bottom. They wash every wall. They replace carpet. They paint. They The reason our buildings look the way they do is because we have an incredibly hard working staff that stays over the summer and gets the job done. And I appreciate how beautiful our buildings are and that's all due to our maintenance crew who does that and our transportation who makes sure everything on the buses is great. And there's just a whole lot of people that work all summer long to make sure that our students succeed and I really appreciate them. >> That's almost like verbatim what I was going to say, Nicole. Um just a quick comment on Upstream. I think it's also going to be fabulous. I also think um the diversity on our board right now is a really good way
079to look at this. I I think we each one of us bring something to the table that is valuable to point out blind spots, to um be cognizant of leading our our our community. It's not just the school. I mean, really the school board is a leader in the community and it's so um important for us to look forward and to see the see the problems that could potentially come down the pipe. So, I'm really excited about that. Um and then what I was noticing is how nice the grounds look. >> Yeah. >> I mean, they really um look nice and appreciate the all the work that the guys are doing and um it it is a big deal to deep clean the cafeterias and the kitchens and all that's it's a lot of work.
080>> A lot of work. >> anyway, um I appreciate all that they're doing. So. >> Thank you. Um I've enjoyed the book for a little while now and as the trustees know that I've given a lot of thought and you've heard me mention quite a few pieces for us to engage in and and had a little bit of anxiety about picking this book. I also actually thought um last month when I gave the trustees the book, I came to work Monday and I was like, "How can I unwind giving them that book?" But I'm I'm really glad to hear the feedback and and I think it has incredible diversity in the book and incredible ways to shift our thinking and Chauncey, the book talks about how hard it is to measure the potential lives you've
081saved and catastrophic injuries you've saved and those things are hard to measure. And you know, and Madam Chair, you talk about our impact as trustees, it is. It's It's profound, but it's also incredibly hard to measure and and I know with our focus on results and our primary objective is is those children and and getting them to where they need to be, um your profound impact is is tough to measure. It's tough to put data on that, but please don't underestimate what you do when you go out there and you represent the district in the various arenas that you're in and and those are profound things that go all the way down to our children and everything you do. So, thank you for doing that. Um I did write one more quick shout-out and it's
082just going to feel like left field, but um we did get our letter from the Wyoming Department of Education last week saying that we met our obligations on our special ed monitoring objectives and and so we're under that mandate, if you will, and you know, Cassie pointed up a majority of that work and she deserves the first name that needs to be mentioned as great work, but I'm going to tell you um you know Nicole, Darren, Katie, and Maren's going to be filling into those shoes next year. Those things don't happen without the building level support and the special ed staff, the regular ed teacher staff because there's growing pains and when they identify areas they want us to resolve and do better, growing pains are going to be natural and and I'm just so
083proud of the team effort on that and us getting, you know, those things resolved on the special ed monitoring review. I'm I'm just really proud of that and had some conversations actually Brittany and I got a personal phone call from the state this week saying, you know, that the district's just been awesome to work with singing our kudos to and I really appreciated that. So, there's my positives. I I want to touch on the book that Yeah, I I think again tough to measure, but if we can make our freshmen feel loved and we make them feel connected and we make them feel valued at the school they are going to be still around as seniors and and again can you say because of the sources of strength or because of um this relationship with
084this teacher, we know for a fact those are impacting it, but to actually measure and quantify that variable is a tough thing to do. And and so the book does challenge some of that thinking and I appreciate the trustees willingness to go through this book study with us together. So, that's what I have, Madam Chair. >> Madam Chair, may I have a um asking for a moment of grace um because I wanted to touch on something that you had said to us far as our impact and I just want to my shout out and again I I've shouted out the board a few times, but um is that I believe that we do our best work when we do our work in here. Um and and I've seen um uh this board we've had some
085difficult discussions, but nobody has given up, nobody's walked out. We've stayed, we've done our work. Um and you know, I'm looking at the front of the book about solving problems before they happen. Um I think when we do our work collectively, we can do that. Uh and I um appreciate the work the board has done. >> Anything else? Well, I guess we are done with business. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you. >> Oh, I was going to say how much I enjoyed watching Sam ride that bike. Have you ever seen her ride her bike? That was going to be my shout out.