001Mhm. >> meeting to order. Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Um let me get their attention. 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. Sweet. Okay. We're going to review um our norms and our mission statement. Um our norms are leave it here. Members will disagree, but emotions stay at the meeting. Active listening and participation. Paraphrase to clarify what you heard. Listen to understand, not to reply. Be honest. Respect all opinions. No sidebars or interrupting. Knock on the table to signal a norm violation. And students first. Our mission statement is Hot Springs County School District number one will inspire students, staff, and community to be the top performing
002school district in the state of Wyoming. We believe in learning as our fundamental purpose, collaborating for continuous improvement, focusing on results, partnering with parents and community, and preparing all students for their future. Can I get a motion to accept the board agenda? I motion to accept the board agenda. Second. Any discussion? Yes. I'd like to add to the agenda to discuss next month's meeting. Um we have some conflicts going on in the district. Okay. Under new business, please. So uh after G. Okay. Thank you. Can we get a second for her motion? I'll second the motion on the floor. Okay. We have an amended motion on the table. Any discussion? Um all those in favor of the amendment. Aye. Aye. All those opposed? Okay. All those in favor of first amend or the first motion.
003Aye. >> Aye. Aye. All those opposed? Okay. The agenda is approved. We'll move on to delegations and individuals. First on our list is monthly celebrations. We're going to recognize the high school and middle school FFA groups tonight. Who's going first? Uh let's go with the middle school first. I think you're planning on high school. Okay. Is that okay? Yeah. Okay. We'll do we'll do high school first. Sorry. I'll get this ready. Oh. You probably want to have a share up on the TV their presentation. >> One second, guys. All right. Um tonight our high school FFA members are here to share with you their celebrations from this school year as well as the state convention. And so um tonight we have Linda McCumber who is our assistant for our FFA program. Mr. Van Hulen could
004not be here tonight, but Linda's got him all organized and ready to go. Um so we're just excited to celebrate this group tonight. So we're going to turn it over to you. Well, thank you. Okay, so we're here to talk like Ms. Aramendi said about what we've done this school year and our state convention. So this year we traveled to our state convention with 38 different students. This is between the ages of like not or not ages, grades of 9 and 12. And then we brought four or five chaperones which are Katie Aramendi, Trina Slover, Dave and Sadie Eckley, and Phil Shield. We also brought Ryan Roybal for one day to help us with that. So in FFA we measure success by what we achieve and we also compete at state so we can win
005things. So our what we're going to be talking about tonight is our chapter recognition, our proficiency awards, our agriscience, and our CDEs and LDEs. Sorry. All right. So this year our chapter was ranked six out of every single chapter in our state which there's about one per town. Some towns like Casper have about four chapters. Um which means we are gold star ranking which we thought of after our chapter application every year based on our community service and our student participation. So, we this year we had a total of eight proficiency awards and this is where they fill out an application and the gold people that competed at state will be submitted to nationals and they'll be considered for top three. And so, they'll fill out uh an application with four categories which is agriscience,
006entrepreneurship, placement, and farmer. And so, we had our bronze which is Tyler and Morgan, our silvers which was Corbin, Layla, and Casey, and then our golds which will be submitted to nationals was Ava, Casey, and Reagan Hugfelt. And then, our SAEs which is our successes, we had our state FFA degrees which is the highest degree that the state can give. And those were uh given to all of our seniors which was Cody, Bridger, Maddie, Shay, Jaycee, Taylor, Miley, and Casey and Corbin. And then, our regional star which was Casey Stauffer, she was the only one that made it. She placed or she was top four at state, I'm pretty sure. So, for agriscience, students have to design and come up with their own experiment that is related to agriculture in some way. Um they also
007have to fill out uh a report which can range from anywhere between like eight and 14 to 20 pages. And those are all submitted to the state and then they're given oral presentation in February, and then those are graded amongst people in their categories. And so, we had a total of seven people place, three of them being gold, and then two silver, two bronze. With the bronze being Trevin Shafer, Ryan Axtell. Silver being Ava Defoe, Camden Wire. And gold being Reagan Huckfeldt, Mac McComber, and myself. CDEs, or career development events, are events which culminate in a skill that can then be translated later on in life to a real-world uh skill. So, uh these include like uh meats evaluation, which is an event in which uh participants have to identify, grade, and place cuts of
008meat, among other things. Um we took 15th overall. Um or no, sorry. We were fourth out of 26 teams. Um that would be me, Alec, Mac, and Camden. Um Mac McComber placed 15th overall, and Mac or and Alec was eighth high individual. The livestock judging team, they have to um place animals, different belts of animals. Um that would be uh Eric Van Keulen, Tyler Morris, Colton Blakeley, and Will Hensley. Our marketing plan team, uh they have to put together a uh plan to uh sell their um product or their uh business to you. Uh that would be um Ava Defoe, Maddie Shafer. Oh, sorry. Maddie Shafer, Jaycee Owsley, and Miley McComber. They took fourth place overall. And farm and ranch business management uh just involves a lot of math, doing the math required to uh
009manage a farm or ranch. Um that being like taxes or uh accounting things. They took 11th and that team consisted of Ava DeFo, Maddie Shafer, Treyton Shafer, and Izzy Hatten. Continuing with CDEs, Environmental and Natural Resources or ENR took sixth out of 29 teams, uh which is the first time in uh Thermopolis history that uh we made it onto the stage in this specific contest. That would be Corbin Bro, Bridger Pile, Taylor Ivy, and Cody Baumgartner. Um seventh in ID, first place in waste management, and first in soils. Marketing plan um Wasn't that already on there? >> Yeah, that was already on there. Oh. Well, ag sales took 11th out of 33 teams. That's just they're given a product um that they have to uh build a portfolio on and learn how to sell to
010a buyer. Um and that team consisted of Casey Stauffer, uh Logan Farrell, Tayne Birdsley, and Layla Epperson. And Casey took first tie overall. Poultry is a lot like meats judging, but worse. And they have to grade [laughter] uh chicken carcasses, turkey carcasses as well, um cuts of chicken, and eggs. Um they took fourth, and that team consisted of Alec Martinez, Mack McCumber, Tyler Morris, and Reagan Reagan Hookfeld. All right. Then we got vet science. Uh this is a competition where um students will learn how to correctly manage veterinary practices. So, they'll go through the competition um and talk about practicums and how they're going to manage um walking through like what a vet uh does. vet would do. They placed 11th out of the 32 teams. Members included Ellis Slover, Paige Jones, and Morgan Jones
011as well as Ann Holland. Ag mech consisted of Corbin Brew, Cameron Wire, Lane McMartin, and James Linton. This is really this is the hard competition out of them all. These kids learn how to operate machinery and equipment and they just work on mechanics. So they individually they were sixth in machinery and equipment. Corbin took second in machinery and equipment. So we have leadership development events also known as LDEs. So we had ag issues. So they were they took third. Members included Amelia Strickland, Alda Slover, Lauren Teeple, Ann Allen, Carson Ivy, Morgan Jones, and Ryan Axtell. So they create an issue going on right now and they make it into a fun presentation and kind of present about it and ask questions. So they did that about What did you do with that? presentation presentation agriculture
012Yeah. So our parli pro team they perform meetings. Right. Yeah. It's going to be at base camp. Oh. They took fifth overall. The members include Alec Martinez, Ellis Slover, Chloe Adley, Ava DeFoe, Morgan Jones, and Paige Jones. And then Ryan was our extemporaneous speaker this year and he took seventh overall. So we would just like to give a special thanks to Mr. Foose and Mrs. Zeremba. Um we just wanted to thank you guys for your support and taking time out of your busy schedules to come to our state convention to take part in our achievements and to see what we've been working on this year. And then we would also like to invite you guys to our banquet on May 4th at 5:30 at the fair building. Well, we got one more. Uh Just wanted
013to say that FFA uh so far has been really great to all of us. It's helped us meet new people and develop new skills that we've been able to or are going to be able to use in the workplace in the future. >> [applause] >> If you don't mind, I would also just like to add a few um words about FFA in general. I I This can't happen without our two sponsors, Linda and Britain. Um the things that it takes to put on these events is truly amazing. Looking at the vet science team, um they were out at the vet clinic at Dickey's vet clinic every week for I don't know how many weeks um during flex time learning about that. Um ag issues team, they in order to do their event, they had to
014present to so many different groups. Um livestock judging, poultry judging, it's just it's not that you just show up and perform at this one event one time. It takes a lot of practice, a lot of time to do every single thing that these kids do and it wouldn't happen without those guys. Just thank you. >> [applause] >> THANK YOU. GOOD JOB, KIDS. >> NOW WE HAVE THE middle schoolers coming in. Thank you again. Did you get pictures of them? Yeah, of course I did. I got you, guys. Oh, we got official dress. >> I know, they look so nice. Very smooth. Okay, it's my pleasure to introduce um the middle school FFA program or Big Springs FFA. Um and I'm going to I guess piggyback a little bit off of what Mrs. Daremedy ended with.
015I'm going to start with that piece and talk about um Mrs. Martinez and the work that she's put in to this program um has been incredible. And then to just the other side of that also is all of these members and the kids and the amount of time that they put into it. They put a ton of extra time outside of the school hours to make sure that things run smoothly and that things go well um and that can't be done without Mrs. Martinez and her leadership within this program. And it's it's a huge benefit to our students and our community. I truly believe that. And um FFA is definitely a piece that I'm excited about every time that we have all of these kids together because they do amazing things with everything that they
016do. So, with that I'll turn it over and let them share their stuff. Thank you, Mr. Looby. Um all of you look like familiar faces, but in case others are watching, I'm Becky Martinez, uh middle school FFA advisor. Our chapter is the Big Springs chapter. Um, I wanted to thank you for inviting us um today, but also thank you for the support that you've given us. Um, not every middle school gets to have an FFA program, and I know that that is um a big ask of a district and of a school. And so, I want to thank you for um supporting us and backing us and just um letting us go on this adventure of of having middle school FFA and starting them just a couple of years younger. Um, this year um for
017state convention, I took 26 middle school students, which is almost double of what I've taken any other year. So, super exciting and a little stressful. Um, I couldn't have made it happen without the amazing chaperones that we had. Um, so I want to thank our three chaperones. Carrie Estenson was one of them, Lacey Shafer um and Alyssa Green. And with the three of them and myself, um it was an amazing trip with our students. And um just to get to see them work and shine and get recognized um was fantastic. Um, this is the largest our FFA chapter has been with active members, um which is very exciting. At our February, maybe it was at our March meeting, um our members also voted and passed that we will allow sixth graders into FFA as well.
018It was passed at the state level um in the fall and then each chapter gets to decide. So, we will grow again next year when we allow sixth graders to join us. Um, but I am so proud of these guys for trying new things, um to stepping out and stepping in as leaders, and then just encouraging others to join. Without that, our chapter wouldn't be able to grow and and flourish as well as it has. Um, it's because of these guys that our chapter has gotten bigger and stronger and um and been outstanding and recognized at the state level. So, um this is just an amazing group. They have really touched my heart. It's going to be hard to see them get to move on to the high school next year. Um and I'm just
019so proud of everything that they've done. But, enough from me. I would love for you to hear from them. So, hi. My name is Cameron Martinez. And I'm one of the officers in our chapter that filled out our chapter application. In this application, we include nine activities in the categories building communities, growing leaders, and strengthening agriculture. And for the fifth year in a row, our chapter has received the top gold star rating. And for the third year, we're state finalists and one of the top six chapters in the state. And this is the plaque that we got. Hi, my name is Apollo Jenks and I'm here to talk about the poultry team's accomplishments. The poultry team consisted of Cameron Martinez, Voted Bow, Kason Johnson, and myself. We placed first in the state as a team
020and we all placed in the top 20 individually. With Voted Bow getting third, Cameron Martinez getting fourth, [snorts] I got 10th, and Kason Johnson got 16th. And this is a picture we took and put on our banner. Hi, my name is Ian Brooks. I'm one of the one of the members of our meat judging team. For the meat judging competition, we placed third in the state. I placed fifth overall in the middle school competition. Harley got 10th, Haley Robertson got 31st, and Chance Stothart got 32nd overall. >> Hi, my name is Teagan Allen. I am one of the members of the livestock judging team. We placed fourth overall in the state. The livestock judging team includes of me, Logan Stewart, Blakely Postma, and Braden Jones. Logan placed fourth in the whole state. I then ended
021up placing 10th. Blakely placed 23rd, and Braden placed 89th. Our livestock judging coach was Don Pyle. Hi, my name is Hannah Bourne. I was one of our quiz bowl members, and as a team we placed fourth overall with our high score being Lillian Essenson in 11th place, Sylvana DeVries and um Kately Williams tied for 17th, me and Amelia Johnson tied for 49th, and Ella Benefield and Jessie Worley tied for 68th, and Grant Coach tied for 79th over out of 182 participants. This competition was for 6th through 9th graders, and we were the only middle school team to score in the top six. Nice. Hi, my name is Blakely Postma, and I was a member of the horse judging team. We placed 11th as a team. The team consists of me, Sydney Effland, Elena Ketner, and
022Jessie Moore. Sydney placed 28th. I was 29th. Elena placed 62nd, and Jessie placed 69th. Our horse judging coach was Alyssa Griffith. Hello, my name is McKenna Mackey, and I'm an active member of our FFA chapter, and I'm here to talk about Ag Mag. They placed ninth in the whole state, and this was the first year available for middle school competition. The team includes Maybry Swan, Piper Trujillo, Dawson McQueen, and Layla McPherson. My name is Jessie Moore. All of the middle school judging contests are scored and then the top overall chapters are calculated. Our chapter was third in the middle school CDE sweepstakes this year. Hi, my name is Ella Benefield. I was one of our agriscience state finalists. Our state champions were Lilly Assenson and Elena Ketner, Dawson McClain and Elam Epperson, and Ian Brooks
023and Grant Coats. The second placers were Kraylee Williams and Sylvania De Vries, Teagan Allen and Hannah Born and myself. The bronze members were Cameron Martinez and Apollo Jenks, Maybree Schwan Schwan and Piper Trujillo, Pearl Ivory and Haley Robinson and Braden Jones and Chance Daugherty. We had a total of 19 agriscience state finalists. I'm Lilly Assenson. I'm Kraylee Williams. And I'm Sylvania De Vries. Today we're here to talk about our fun Fridays in agriculture day camp we like to call boot camp. We were recognized as the middle school model innovation for our boot camp program. In our boot camp we teach the kids about agricultural bread making, posters, and so many other kid-friendly activities. Um at all of our boot camps we take the kids to a fun field trip um that is related to agriculture.
024If you look at your flyer on the back side we went and showed some of the um field trips that we went to. We went to the Heisler Dairy Farm, the community gardens, the Lennon Grain Sugar Beet Farm, George Dairy Farm, Xcel Cattle Ranch, and the Badlands um Swine Genetics. We interact with all the kids making sure that they feel heard. Every kid has a fun-filled day, at least we hope so. And um the kids are going to say some of their favorite things about boot camp and their names. Hi, my name is Chisholm. My favorite part about boot camp was the trip to the Essen dollars where we got to eat raw corn. Hi, my name is Eli Smocky and my favorite part of boot camp was going on the field trips. My name
025is Noah Williams and my favorite thing about FFA boot camp was learning about the livestock. At every boot camp, we provide lunch and breakfast which the kids love very much. As an officer group, we decided it would be helpful to our community if we hosted a free day daycare once a month um since our school doesn't have since we don't have school on Fridays anymore. We think this is really helpful to the parents. Personally, my favorite field trip was the actual cattle ranch. When we were there, we got taught about their cattle, horses, and all the tools that they used. My favorite field trip was personally to the dairy farm because everyone, including me, loved the cute baby cows and their mamas. Um in my opinion, the best field trip was the sugar beet farm.
026We looked at all their land and got to see the tools that they used to help farm the land. Every boot camp, we teach the kids an agricultural based topic and usually play game or two. And the next And the next boot camp, they always take up the knowledge that we gave them from the lessons. Um some of the organizations that made this possible for us um was the Hot Springs County Endowment Fund, um Wyoming Pork Producers, Farm Credit Services, and Farm Bureau. We appreciate you guys for letting us come and tell you about our FFA boot camp and we hope you learned a lot about how we run our boot camp. That's very cool. >> [clears throat] >> 7:15 >> THANK YOU FOR COMING IN AND LETTING US celebrate you. Thank you. Very for
027coming and sharing. Thank you all so much for the >> Thank you, Becky. Thank you. Thank you. All right. My computer went to sleep, so just a second. Oh, those were fun celebrations. Now we're moving on to uh CWC BOCES. Good evening, board. Um Superintendent Foose, Chairman Axel, uh my name's Matt Johnson. I'm the director of the high school dual credit program for CWC and uh the CWC BOCES program. Um just give you an overview and a reminder, uh CWC BOCES is a cooperative between Hot Springs School District, CWC, and seven Fremont County School Districts to provide the post-secondary opportunities for our high school students. So, per state statutes, we have to provide all of our high school students with the opportunity to earn at least 12 college credits by the time they graduate high
028school, and we do that through dual and concurrent enrollment. So, along with me tonight, this is Dr. Kathy Wells and Steve Barlow. Kathy's the the vice president of academics at CWC, and Steve's the Dean of student or student life and outreach. Um, so we'll start I'll I'll give you a little overview of the dual and concurrent program, and then Kathy and Steve are going to talk about the the new Thermopolis outreach CWC outreach services, and then I'll go it through the budget a little bit. I've provided in the packet some enrollment numbers. Um, nearly half of all the students at Hot Springs County High School this year took at least one dual or concurrent enrollment class. So, concurrent enrollment are the classes that your qualified high school instructors teach right there in the the high
029school. We only have five instructors that are teaching concurrent enrollment classes at at Hot Springs County High School, but they're teaching 14 different college classes. So, you have very qualified instructors who teach a a a plethora of courses, and we have one really exciting course this year that nowhere else in the state is offering for concurrent enrollment, and Wanda Jenkins taught that EMS class. Um, we have I think nine students going through that course, and they're going to be able to take the licensing exam at the end of the the course, and hopefully they'll be able to fill positions on your EMS services EMT services for for your residents here. Um, we did have a little dip in the number of students participating in dual enrollment, and dual enrollment's when they take a class straight
030from CWC, but this is one of your lower enrollment years for the for the high school. Um, I was looking at enrollment numbers. I think 4 years ago you had over 200 students and this year you have close to 160 or 170. So, just based on your enrollments, it's expected those were to go down. But, um with dual enrollment, students can take uh any course that's available to them through CWC. And I mean, they take anything from intro to psychology, uh some animal science courses, just whatever is available. If they have an interest and it fits into their high school schedule, they're allowed to take it. So, um this year, uh the total cost of all the credits that the students have earned would be close to $144,000. Um that's tuition and fees that are
031saved by the students and their parents that they don't have to then pay for as they continue their high school or their college careers. Um So, with that, uh I'll turn it over Sorry. I'll turn it over to Kathy. She has a presentation. Um CWC's expanding our services into Hot Springs County. It's our service area, and uh Kathy will talk about those services and and what we're planning to do here. Thanks, Matt. And thank you so much for having us on your agenda. Um Share Excel and um Superintendent Booth, it's nice to see you again. And um board members. So, I do have to admit, it's hard to follow the kind of excellence in the young people that we just heard about that you have an excellent group of future leaders in whatever their endeavors
032are. Um and and and a nice crop of FFA um growing and entering the higher grades. So, that was very impressive. You can go ahead and go to the next slide. What we'd like to talk to you about um is uh focusing on the changes that we've made um over the past year and how we're um structuring and moving and changing things to have a more active and uh visual presence, on-site presence in Hot Springs County. So, some things that have happened uh since you heard from us last, um we have engaged with um uh an employee that uh is um working at the learning center full-time, Dan Blair here. You probably all know Dan. He works for the college um half-time role in our [clears throat] college and career readiness, which is um our
033adult education and but mostly focusing on high school equivalency. And then the other half of his role is um keeping the center open, being available for students, community members to come into the center and get information on taking college classes, registering for dual credit classes, um and other um offerings, and getting academic advisement, getting student support, um connections with faculty advisors, that sort of thing. Um we have um we have outreach coordinators um similar to the role that Dan's in here in Hot Springs County at all of our outreaches. And we have spent the last hm how many months um getting Dan up to speed on college processes, programming, and more of that advisor academic advisor role, and that has um worked really, really well having that type of expertise in the learning center commons
034grounds building um here in Thermopolis. Um the outreach coordinator role really is that primary hub or that primary link to individuals who are interested in um CWC uh services and and reaching um the folks that they need to regarding financial aid, scholarships, and all those types of um questions and and documents and information you need when you're getting ready to be a college student. Um on this slide we've also listed a lot of the um main wrap-around student services. So, he's more than just that main link. He does provide um uh complete comprehensive wrap-around services for anyone who is interested in taking college um credit, including career services, tutoring, and those types of things um as students are progressing through their academic programs and looking at what their next steps might be. You can go
035ahead and go to the next slide. Thank you. Um so, Matt talked about some of the um concurrent and uh dual enrollment opportunities that um high school students are typically interested in. We have them listed here. You can see there's quite a robust and quite diverse list of courses that high school students can take currently right now as concurrent enrollment. Um the column on the right-hand side are the opportunities that we have to expand. So, the bullets on the right-hand side are areas of academic interest that either your students or your community members have expressed um to us as areas of interest or you currently have students in the pathway that leads to those next courses in a series of courses. So, that's the the framework or the lens that we're looking at what courses
036do we offer next? If we're going to expand, how do we know which direction to go? Um a lot of that vision and those next steps of what those courses should be are looking at what your high school students are registered for right now and seeing what's next in their pathway. Getting an idea of what their areas of interest are and seeing what those next follow-on courses should be and those are the courses that you see listed on that right-hand column. There are a couple of those bullet points that have little um asterisks by them. One is applied math or um what you see in parentheses as a CTE pathway. This is a new direction that we are going based on input from all of the school districts we serve. Um math tends to be,
037of course, a barrier course for a number of programs, but especially for students who are interested in career and technical education. Um what we are working with a number of school districts on and would like to include Hot Springs County in is designing um an applied math course related to the industry or the discipline. So, for example, on the main campus um in our auto and welding and our cosmetology programs, those students have a program requirement of an applied math that is taught integrated and embedded in the discipline. So, for example, the auto students have to do a lot of um problem-solving regarding use of metrics and um crank, torque, and and things that you would typically learn in um like a physics class, but they learn those math concepts solving auto problems or learning
038skills in auto technology that you would use those math concepts on the job. Same with our cosmetology students. They do a lot of calculating There's actually a lot of chemistry, believe it or not, in cosmetology. And they do a lot of calculations, ratio, proportion, percentages. Um and so, their applied math um is uh like I said, integrated and embedded into what that discipline or that job role requires. Um all three of those examples, math, welding, or sorry, um auto, welding, and cosmetology, also have um math skills embedded in their applied math related to management of a business, point of sale, currency, bookkeeping, because many of those professionals in the industry are managing um something related to accounting in a business from a business perspective. The other course or the other bullet that has an asterisk
039is intro to AI. We are currently actively investigating a partnership with a company that is providing AI education as early as middle school. And one of their main gateway courses is very applicable to be pushed out into into high schools as a concurrent enrollment class. So, I'm getting I've been working with this company and looking at their curriculum and we're getting ready to [clears throat] work on an MOU to provide this curriculum through CWC that we are looking forward to offering once we get there. Again, that's why it says in development to offer to our school districts. So, that's an area of focus that we're really excited about. You can go ahead and go to the next slide. So, we are always I mentioned that we have a focus of how to determine what are
040the next steps and offerings. So, we are looking at that from a general education perspective. What are those core sets of general education courses, the ones that you're typically offering in your school as concurrent enrollment, but but others as well. And then what do you do with it? That's where the pathways come into play. And what does that look like for your students in the high school and then beyond? So, we have multiple ways that we deliver certificates and degrees in these pathways. We are starting to offer a number of our courses in an accelerated format, reducing the time to completion. As your high school students are completing their concurrent enrollment courses and then as we begin offering more dual enrollment courses, that time to completion just get shorter and shorter and shorter and they
041can get to the workforce faster if they're interested in a CTE program or have less to take when they transfer to a college or university because they've completed those course sets of courses that nearly every transfer student needs to take before they go to whatever their next step is. Again, that comprehensive support is part of what we are currently building and plan to offer in at the learning center in the partnership with CWC. Direct access to our faculty for faculty advisement, academic advisement, career guidance. Um and the location is convenient. It's just a few blocks from where your students are in your schools now. It is a very convenient place for community members. Um we also are looking at and planning on implementing the technology that's needed to support the many ways that we deliver
042education at CWC. In-person, in-person hybrid classes, um on all hybrid classes. So, some of it's online, some of it is is hybrid Zoom, um or uh totally online classes. So, all of our students at all of our locations take classes across all those modalities of delivery and our focus is expanding those, but also having the technology on-site um at the learning center to support um those students who are maybe in a hybrid um Zoom class or 100% online class and and helping them with their technology needs. You can go to the next slide. So, we also are looking at ways we can roll out again um areas of interest that we've heard from your community and from your current high school students based on the coursework they're taking now. And many of them are what
043we call short certificate programs. So, we are hearing from your community members that a lot of people who are going into careers or trades where there's lots of front-facing customer service, workplace readiness, those skills that you need maybe for your very first job. And that's our customer relations and professional and service professional certificate that we just launched this year. We also are just launching an event planning certificate. So, those individuals who are interested in culinary, hospitality, tourism, you layer event planning onto that and that is a really valuable employee or member of your community as you're expanding in those areas in Hot Springs County. Healthcare programs are always very popular. We are we routinely, occasionally, offer a CNA class with the hospital. But the health system for Hot Springs County has become so robust, it
044really is one of those key locations for all of our healthcare programs. And honestly, one of our best clinical rotations for our nursing students. And in order for those programs to be successful and for your communities to have access to the healthcare providers they need, we need to be offering those courses more often. So, we need to be offering CNA more often plus the other healthcare area certificate and programs of study like medical office support that is sort of a business person that works in a healthcare setting and medical assisting. Those are definitely needs in your healthcare system in Hot Springs County that we're hearing. One of the interesting things about um, these certificate programs that will um, lend very well to your students is our technical studies program. This is uh, a program. It
045is an Associate of Applied Science degree where your students can combine two areas of interest and get an Associate of Applied Science degree based on what they combine. Um, one of the very first technical studies degrees that we created >> [clears throat] >> combined criminal justice. So, half of the degree focused on the role of of criminal justice and the other half was equine studies. And the individual who created that degree for themselves wanted to be mounted police um, and be uh, one of the sheriff's deputies that was part of the mounted patrol. And interestingly enough, that individual currently works in New York City and still is a mounted police officer horseback in New York City. Um, so this is an example. We've had a lot of students who uh, combined ag and their area
046of interest in ag with something more hands-on that you need in the farm like welding or auto technology or or um, uh, s- uh, power sports repair. Um, so they can be the the Mr. Fix-It, Mrs. Fix-It person along with their ag studies. Um, and so this is a a very popular way that students can combine areas of interest in in whatever their um, their focus is for their uh, their career. You can go ahead and go to the next slide. Thank you. I mentioned course scheduling options. I talked about online hybrid Zoom classes, h- uh, face-to-face classes. Um, the schedule that seems to fit nicely with your high school schedule since you don't have classes on a Friday is our traditional face-to-face classes meet two days a week. Um, we can schedule those classes
047at a time that is best for your students to take and maybe they take all college classes on a Friday or something like that to again accelerate their college completion. We are also offering more short courses. We're finding that students really like eight-week courses because you can complete two courses in a traditional 16-week semester, but you only have to focus on one course at a time. And they find that focusing on one course at a time and completing that course in eight weeks really allows them to dig in deeper to the learning and be a more active and engaged student. Because by the time you get to in a regular semester-length class, you get to about week 10 and you're like, "Oh my gosh, I wish this class was over. I'm never going to make
048it till the end." And you have to drag them to the end of the semester. You do feel that way in an eight-week class as well, but it happens about week seven. And so you can already see the light at the end of the tunnel and power through and completion rates tend to be higher in an eight-week class. So we are starting to offer more of our classes in an eight-week format. Um, and looking at instructors, we are really excited to engage with your community to bring on adjunct instructors and full-time CWC instructors. When we figure out where those those niche pathways that are really serving your high school students in your community um, and and pulling from the expertise you have in your community higher as our instructors. Okay, go ahead to the next
049slide. Um, this is a whole lot of information on this slide. So please feel free to share this slide presentation with all of your board members. Um, this is information that's taken right from our fall class schedule. So every one of these classes are going to be offered this fall either by um uh online delivery or by Zoom. And you can see clear over in the right-hand side and more, and that's a link to our CWC class schedule that I know Dan is using [clears throat] when he's working with um individuals that come to the learning center or are interested in taking courses. So, there is a lot more. Um you'll notice if you go to the CWC schedule, there's a tab at the bottom that is specifically for outreach locations. And um your students
050can go right to Thermopolis and see everything that's offered in person in Thermopolis in combination with these other um modes of delivery. So, you can go ahead to the next slide. I think there might be a few more. Um these are areas that we are proposing for the fall as face-to-face courses. Again, based on input that we've gotten from your community. Um hospitality and culinary were really big hot topic items. As is things related to our business program options. We have um transfer business programs and applied business programs. And so, putting students on the business path um seems to make a lot of sense. It's one of our highest enrolled programs. Again, working at workplace readiness. And then the last two bullets are courses that are required in all of our degrees. And so, having
051those courses as a face-to-face option um makes a lot of sense. Go ahead to the next slide. And as we look past this fall and what we hope to offer um as far as growth areas, these are the bulleted items of programs that we are currently working on building out um finding grants, fundraising for specialized simulated equipment like for CDL um training. Um And programs that are under development. We're looking at having a data science program. I mentioned our AI training and programming. So, these are things to come at all of our locations, but certainly check some of the boxes that we heard from community members as needs for your community and certainly match match interests of what your students are taking concurrent enrollment right now. So, like I said a lot I think there
052might be one more slide that's questions. Yes. So, I'm happy to take any questions regarding the progress that we made. The one thing that I should say you'll see some of those members in the audience. Since we visited with you last CWC has engaged in an MOU with the board for the learning center. Mostly focused initially on employment sharing an employee to start with. Matt will talk about what our next steps are that we proposed to you when he starts talking about the budget. And as we move forward in partnership with the board who is working with the learning center. Whenever you're trying to expand an operation and an outreach, the facility is always the biggest hurdle. And so, the MOU and the partnership that we have engaged with the board with the learning center
053automatically removes that that hurdle for us. So, there's a lots of exciting opportunities that we've had now that we've accomplished that, but certainly shows the commitment that the board of the learning center and CWC has to continuing to grow and expand outreach opportunities for all of your residents including your high school students. So, I am happy to answer any questions you might have. I know I went through that really quickly. And I know that you're also wanting to hear about budget proposals. So, that's where we move [clears throat] to that. Any questions? I'm happy to address any of them. Do you mind if I give a quick statement? I just wanted to tell everybody here how wonderful it has been to work with CWC. Visited with Matt a little bit earlier today. I I truly
054don't know if people know how lucky we are to have CWC as our regional um school that we work with. The hurdles that we could have, they eliminate those. Um there are so many schools within our state um that cover their regional area that they their their requirements for their teachers to teach concurrent enrollment classes is just truly um unbelievable. It's very hard to get concurrent enrollment classes in those school districts, and they really have broken down those barriers for us. And I'm not sure at any point in time um if we pitched them an idea at all that they've ever said no. It's just a matter of figuring out how to do it. Um I this outreach program sounds phenomenal. I think it's going to increase so many more opportunities for not only our
055kids, for our community. Um we talked about this year alone, um we have seniors at the high school. We had you know had a senior have to decide, "Do I want to graduate with an associate's degree, or do I want to really um bank some courses that is going to um get me to my end goal faster?" And they broke down walls for that student um that and it wouldn't have happened um otherwise. So, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate that and let everybody know that that that is something that they do for us. Thank Thank I appreciate that. I had a little note. So, I was typing this to add to my report, but I'll throw it in now. As a student who is and is currently been enrolled in
056a multiple of dual enrollment classes including the EMT course and the short certificate and CNA class um that have previously been discussed. Great opportunities. Um I'd like to add just from the student view, I could not possibly agree more that these program is so special. I went to U-Dub's student day and got to compare our program with so many others around the state. I had over twice their classes and I'm not going to say I've done a lot of overtime at all. Hardly any homework. Um [clears throat] Oh, we can change that. Okay. Um But I had almost twice their classes and felt like I didn't have to put in nearly as much work. Um Not saying I didn't do my work, but like the classes just teach you so much easier to where this
057program is special. Um and it still has a lot of room to grow as she mentioned with that CNA class. Um I think this was the first time it was offered to us high school of students that it was actually publicized. And now we have four CNAs in our senior class and one in our junior class. Um And as well as because of these classes as she had mentioned with the associated degree with another student, I was able to get straight into nursing school without having to go to just pre-nursing which takes another one to two years. I was able to skip over these walls and hurdles. And by the time that I go to college, I'll be a CNA and an EMT just through classes I've taken during my high school career. This program
058is phenomenal in so many ways, but this this This just my story because it, like it relates to so many other students in so many different careers, not just because I'm a medical student. It's so many others, ag, technology, anything you want to do, these classes are just, amazing. But, anyways. Thanks for sharing that. Thank you. You need an advertisement right there. >> [laughter] >> I'll be writing down her name, because telling student stories, there's no one better to tell it than the student themselves. So, thank you. You're following my pathway, my background's nursing. CWC nursing alum. You picked the right school. >> [laughter] >> Yes. >> So, um, so my daughter, I think has done some of the very same things. Uh, very proud of these kids for also taking those opportunities that are
059being provided. Um, I I just have a couple of questions that Well, let me just say, I guess, I love the things that you're doing to modify uh, your programming to the times. So, in other words, not continuing to do things the way that we've always done them just because we've done them that way. Um, with shifting priorities in the economy and different needs that our students have. But, my questions are, um, and this can just be ballpark, you don't have to have all the numbers or whatever, but how many of our our high school students are uh, either taking courses, um, utilizing the learning center, or that are interacting with them. And then, how many community members at large are taking advantage of being able to utilize the learning center. Do they do they
060know about all this yet? Is this still, I'm new to all of it, so is it still kind of in its, um, building phases? But, I I'm excited about it. I mean, it seems like amazing work that's I I do have to say that, um, we are still in in the building phases, although Dan has traffic coming in. Maybe I can have you speak to the traffic that's coming through the doors. Um, Yeah, we are still in the building stages, but the plans going forward and the marketing and getting the word out will very very soon follow. So, So, as far as high school students, we haven't really touched that area yet because I just got hired in this position in February. Okay. So, all of the students had already been enrolled in in classes
061and you know, started through that. I I'm sure that um the coming up school year that I'll be more involved in that. Um and as far as foot traffic through the door, I have on average 10 to 15 people that come through every day. Um 10 for sure that sit and get classes from me every day. >> That's fantastic. >> That's awesome. I just I think to have that resource right here in our little town, our our county is amazing. And I think the more that we could promote that for people to have additional opportunities that are maybe coming back to retool or, you know, to get um education that if perhaps they dropped out for some reason or something like that prior, I just I think that that's that's awesome. Yes. Great. Thank you.
062So, I know we answered part of your question. As far as numbers of high school students, I think um Matt provided the numbers of of students that are taking credits concurrent. Um right now, because we are just starting this initiative, um the majority of the dual enrolled courses they're taking are are in online numbers. There is some really good news coming when Matt talks about the budget related to a state allocation that's going to do nothing but benefit your students. So, we're very excited to show you how that has positively impacted our budget. But I'm happy to answer any last questions before I have Matt come back up. No, okay. I do have to say, you know, we heard from principal Deramedia about how how she feels CWC has been responsive. I have to say
063the same thing back to the school district. There has not been a time when we have sent an email or asked for a meeting or had a question that hasn't been answered or responded to right away. Um we had a wonderful meeting with Superintendent Foos just right after you started the the position just to kind of get to know him. I know that Jessica has been a wonderful resource for us. Getting to know Britney and as long as I email the right person, I'll get to know her better. I made that mistake and and emailed the wrong partner in Britney's family. [laughter] Uh it was we had a laugh over it. Um but yeah, your your staff here in the district that we've connected with the the guidance counselors are always just amazing to work
064with. Um so definitely we feel that when we're working on projects, especially when something changes, that's always hard to like you know, when you're not part of the organization that's making the change and we come to you saying we're making this change, people have always just been so responsive and just so gracious. So I will turn it over Where did he go? Turn it over to Matt and he's going to talk to you about budget and um we can answer questions about that as as this proposal in front of you. Um I provided I don't have the PowerPoint presentation, but I provided documents on a proposed budget for you. Should be in your board packet. Um but as CWC isn't home located in Hot Springs County, we're not able to levy the county uh to
065fund the program. So, the school board levies on behalf of the BOCES. And currently you're levying a quarter mill to support the dual and concurrent enrollment program. And for this upcoming year we're going to see a pretty significant change to this budget and one of our our biggest expense that comes out of this budget and uh you might have noticed or heard that the state included $10 million annually in the school finance bill to pay for dual enrollment statewide. And part of the the funding was for grades 9 through 12 and unlimited participation. Awesome, right? Uh we've had the tremendous opportunity in Hot Springs County to offer unlimited participation dual enrollment for your students, but places like Cheyenne um where they don't have a BOCES or BOCES, they've limited their juniors and seniors to one
066course per semester. So, uh places around the state are probably going to benefit from that a lot more than Hot Springs because we've already had that benefit, but it removes an expense from this BOCES budget because the state will be funding it now. So, um if we get into uh the budget, part of the BOCES program, um I'm the director and I have an assistant. So, part of the the budget funds two positions at CWC. About 12% of the the uh salaries and benefits for those two positions come from the Hot Springs budget. We also pay for out of well, up until this year, we paid tuition and fees for dual enrollment to CWC. Um CWC supplied courses, paid for the the tuition and fees. Last year, that expense was nearly $40,000 in tuition and
067fees for dual enrollment. This year with the lower participation, um about $25,000 from Hot Springs County School Board or high school Thermopolis High School students uh was tuition and fees from the public school students and then we had a couple home school students take courses that added an an extra um about $4,000. So, this year we had, you know, almost $30,000 in dual enrollment tuition and expenses. Uh with the state paying for it, that expense goes out of the budget. Well, maybe. Um if the uh participation around the state is more than $10 million, the the legislation says that reimbursements will be prorated. Um so, there could be a dual enrollment expense out of the BOCES budget. We won't know until after all the enrollments happen next year. Um We also purchase textbooks for any
068dual enrollment courses or concurrent enrollment classes. So, if we add a new concurrent enrollment class, we'll purchase an entire classroom set of books for those students. Um those get reused. Um Miss Daniels in the the counselor's office, um she coordinates the dual enrollment textbooks. So, we purchase all those out of the BOCES budget. That expense um depending on the rules from the Department of Ed and what what they write out, that may be an expense that comes from the state also or may be an expense that stays in the BOCES budget. Um we don't know how that's going to play out yet. They haven't given us a timeline on when those rules will be developed. Um We also pay for some uh placement testing. We use a software called Alex for math placement testing. We
069have uh college algebra, trigonometry, business math, statistics at the high school. So, any of those math courses, students have to place into those to be able to take them for college credit. So, BOCES covers that and then um this past year, the year before, we purchased a concurrent enrollment registration software called Kenosha. So, instead of all the paper forms sent home and hand filling out and then manual entry, purchased a online registration software. So, students go right online and fill out their registrations and um it's almost, you know, takes 5 minutes for those registrations to go through. Um So, currently, you guys levy a quarter mill for this this budget um for this program. Um With the dual enrollment being freed up and then the outreach center, we had some ideas for this budget and
070and how you could continue to support the opportunities for for uh the BOCES program, but also maybe the outreach center as well. Um In the In the proposal, so this is just an initial proposal. Um you'll have time to discuss this and we'll be happy to come back in May or June to to finalize and solidify this proposal for you. Uh but consider uh paying a stipend to concurrent enrollment instructors through the BOCES budget. Um we've never been able to offer that, uh but if it's something that the district and um administration believe is is a good opportunity, we would like to include that for your instructors. Uh but we'll also ask um Currently, the the outreach director position is funded part by our uh adult basic education program and in part by the learning
071center. Uh the learning center. Um CWC would ask that maybe through this BOCES program, we could fund half of that position through the BOCES mill levy. Um So, I prov- I provided you uh a very initial estimate um for what the various levels of a mill levy would look like. Uh the the county assessor is anticipating a very early estimate of maybe almost a 10% decrease in in valuation for the county for this upcoming year. Um if we stayed at a quarter mill, there's there is some reserve funding, but it would it would deplete if we if we included funds for concurrent enrollment instructor stipends and then the half position for the outreach, it would deplete the the reserves down to um on about $20,000, just under $20,000. Um I don't I don't feel comfortable
072with that amount uh just because of the unknowns on what dual enrollment might look like. Uh some of those other costs that might end up on this budget that we we aren't anticipating. Um so, we would we would recommend um initially that the board consider increasing this mill a little bit. Um the board could go all the way up to a half mill without having to go uh to a public vote. Um but I've included those estimates uh for you to to review. Um and then as part of this budget process because the cooperative is Fremont County, Hot Springs, and CWC, you also have to approve uh the Fremont County mill levy uh budget. Um CWC uh Fremont County's anticipating about a 3% increase, their initial uh estimate. Um the budget in C- in Fremont
073County is a little different in that the mill levy isn't sufficient enough to cover the entire program, so CWC's been running in a deficit in Fremont County. And last year we had to put a a cap on dual enrollment participation. Um so, we had to limit the number of students or credits or courses a student could take. But that [clears throat] the Fremont County budget's also included. It doesn't impact Hot Springs County at all. You just have to vote to approve it. Um so, that's where we are at the budget. If we have any questions, myself or Kathy or or Steve can can answer anything budget related. So, um I I was confused with this last year, too. You're proposing the budget, we're voting to approve the budget, um but whether to increase the mill
074levy or not comes at a later date. Is that accurate? So, um this is the initial proposed budget. Uh the way the BOCES runs is that approve it on initial reading and then also have a second reading that you'll send your approval or denial with your board representative. Um currently it's Sherman, Mr. Skelton, um and then you'll say yes or no. We as we as this the budget develops and we have time to continue discussing with Dr. Foose and and Mrs. Dermody and and Jessica, um as we really shake these numbers out and and get something solidified, we'll come back uh with a formal uh request and recommendation on what the levy amount to to require or for you to Okay, that's what I was wanting was clarification cuz last year we voted and then
075it came back onto the agenda again. And I was like, I thought we already voted on it. But so, it will come back. Yes, so this So, you would approve the initial budget presentation and then at the next meeting or a subsequent meeting approve the the mill levy amount. Okay. Yeah, and so the intent the intent is to give the trustees a month to kind of talk about the potential increase and we know the landscape with everything that's going on and and um and we the district officials feel like that's appropriate, but it's the trustees call and you'll have a month to do your research and talk about it or so. Okay. I got one question. Um just for clarification Uh so the concurrent enrollment, that would include like the uh certification programs like the
076EMT and and those sort of things for students that so they can start working like right away as soon as they graduate high school. Right. So concurrent enrollment is anything that's being taught by your instructors right in high school. Right. Um and the EMT course falls under that. Uh sometimes we have CNA if um if we have an instructor, but any of those courses uh in the directory port um business math, computer courses, public speaking, English composition one and two. Those are all the concurrent enrollment courses that we have uh offering this year. Okay. Yes, Judy. Um so when you were saying with the the new funding from the state where is that in the budget? Like where So are you including that tuition and fee amount or have you removed that? So that's not
077included in the budget. As as I understand the legislation is written that that will be a school district reimbursement. Okay. So uh So we front the money and then we We have to wait to see what the rules look like or what the Department of Ed comes up with whether the district will be fronting that money and paying the tuition fees and then at the end of the year being reimbursed by the state or if we as the rules come out if the BOCES needs to front that and then the district would apply for reimbursement and then however that offset is is covered. Um but the the cost for dual enrollment is not included in this budget. Okay. Just because we don't anticipate it coming out of the BOCES expenses. Okay. Okay. Attorney General I
078just wanted to make sure that Okay. But Okay. Just making sure. Yeah. So >> [laughter] >> the concurrent enrollment um so really that the only cost that we would have for the concurrent enrollment is would be uh the stipend and the textbooks. Concurrent enrollment directly. Yes. And then the that the partial positions for the director for the BOCES program and Okay. Okay. Great. Just a question on the um ACT testing. It looks like as a possibility for we have additional funds. Do we still pay for ACT testing for our students one time, two times? We were doing it two times, weren't we? Are we still doing that? Okay. So then what then what are we talking about here with this ACT testing? And I know that this is just a The you're looking at on
079that is the Fremont County side. Um up until this past year the Fremont County BOCES paid for uh Fremont County students the opportunity to take one ACT because the school district was offering um the the test through the district funds, the BOCES wasn't paying for it. Um so I didn't I didn't include ACT for Hot Springs County, but it it could be That's a possibility for additional funding if we have that in the budget year Right. Um and then there's I mean there's other lots of cool ideas like um we've never allowed high school students to take summer courses. You know, if there's funding available, could we open summer courses to students, um expand opportunities to have with it. So, there's there's some other creative ideas, especially now that the state is planning to take
080over at least a portion, yeah. portion of the dual enrollment, at least the school year dual enrollment. Um Yeah. Good. Uh I'm I'm glad that we're paying for that ACT. I just wanted to I didn't know if that went away or something. That's all. Okay. So, today we have to vote on the preliminary budget. Is that correct? Okay. Yes. Madam Chair, I move that we approve the preliminary budget for BOCES for 2026-27. I'll second. And we're voting on the whole presentation, more or less. Not picking a number right now. Correct. >> Right. Okay. Any [clears throat] other questions or discussion? Okay. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> for everything tonight. Yeah. >> Thanks for having us tonight. Appreciate your time. Thank you. All right, Alex. It's your
081turn for your presentation. Okay. Um Chair and members of the board, for just some upcoming events cuz we're getting to the slow season for sports, but even busier season for school events. Prom is coming up very quickly with a theme of Moonlight Masquerade. That is May 2nd with the grand march being held in the auditorium at 7:00 p.m. And the dance will be held on the front lawn in front of the high school from 8:00 to 11:00. That's using a large event tent, which is new and sounds fun. Hoping the weather works with us. That might be a rainy day. Um senior signing day is May 6th at 1:00 p.m. in the high school gym. The last week of school for seniors is May 11th to May 14th, and Monday is the Baccalaureate? Yeah, that.
082I googled how to pronounce it and I still didn't. Um and that's at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Tuesday, we have the senior barbecue at 12:30 and senior scholars senior scholarship night at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Wednesday, there's senior checkout day and graduation setup. Thursday is the mandatory mandatory graduation rehearsal at 9:00 a.m. and the RWE graduation walk following that. Sunday is graduation at 2:00 p.m. Um so, drama, this group is pretty quiet. Not on stage, but in school they're pretty quiet. And so, I don't hear much of what's going on more than being asked to help them with their lines every now and then. So, I asked a report from fellow classmate and student council member Millie Johnson. And she says, "Drama's going very well. We're approaching opening night for our spring play,
083Alice in Wonderland, which will be performed April 28th, 30th, and May 1st. The students are working hard to prior- memorize lines, build set designs, and add finishing touches on costumes. We have some new additions to drama this semester, which is exciting to see. This year, we also opened up auditions to some middle school and elementary students who will have small roles in the upcoming production. And of course, our more seasoned students are doing great. Other than a few changes, casting things >> [clears throat] >> um casting and everything with that have been progressing very well. A big shout-out to Mr. Wiley, Mr. Chris, and Mr. Taylor for making this happen and they would love to invite you all to come watch next week. Um track, these kids aren't nearly as quiet, but there's just too
084many of them. So, I talked with Mr. Bowker and some other athletes. In total, they have 48 athletes out for track. That's quite a few. And with that, they have a lot of first years, but even more veterans. Which is what what Bowker says he loves to see. With that, they had to get creative for the uniforms because there weren't enough just for the multitude of the athletes. The boys team has placed top three at every meet they have been at so far and won the last Glen Rock meet beating Douglas and other 3A schools. The girls team are competitive, but with fewer numbers, it proves difficult for a team to place high, but the individuals in their respective events should place very high at state. Um, there is a gaggle, Bowker's word, not mine,
085of kids who have pre-qualified for state, and Anthony Cheatham and Cole Keller have qualified for the classic. An event where a school send like their very top kids. So, it's like it's like a special event. Um, golf. We have started attending tournaments, but due to the weather, some of them have been canceled. The first tournament in Thermopolis, boys and girls ended up getting first, putting up good scores for the first tournament. The second tournament took place in Kendrick Golf Club in Sheridan, where Ruth Needham got first place by shooting an 85 compared to my 137. That is quite impressive. Finally, the tournament last weekend was a duel with Lander at the Lander Golf Club. We brought everyone who could attend totaling up to six girls, six boys, and six middle schoolers. Our girls team shot
086a 288 and our boys shot a 358. Our next tournament comes up on May 8th and 9th at the Kemmerer [clears throat] Golf Course, which is conference. For FFA, I think they gave a far better report than I could even attempt. I had a paragraph, I deleted it. They did great. So, I'll leave it there, but great success for them all around. Student Council, we did a community service project for TRW, Thermopolis Rehab and Wellness, um and the Pioneer Home, where we made cookies and delivered them. We are currently getting applications and electing new people for the offices next year, so you'll have a fresh face here. And we have met our goal of donating $2,500 to Make-A-Wish. We have the Lift WYLD conference coming up in early May, and we are using that for
087a leadership training for our underclassmen. Our Honor Council application is ongoing. Um I need to do my parts. And of course, we beat Worland in the blood drive competition for the second year in a row. The competition has only been around for 2 years. And we are currently continuing to plan one more school-wide service project. And that's all I have for our school report. Very good. Very nice. Thank you, Alex. Any questions? It was a very good report. Thank you. All right, now it's Dr. Fruse's turn for a report. >> Okay, I'm going to delete a couple paragraphs as well. Last week, >> [laughter] >> last week at the WASA conference, there was a lot of talk about recalibration that took a lot of time. There was one general session at the beginning of the
088first day called Dignity Index, and and the Dignity Index, I would, you know, invite you to look it up. It's when you're at discourse or you're at conflict or philosophical disagreement with someone, um the Dignity Index is communicating with that person, and the they gave it to all the superintendents and others there, and it really was pretty intriguing. I enjoyed it. It was It was good stuff. So, um the WASA conference was excellent. Learned more about recalibration that we still don't have questions answered, but we're a lot farther along than we used to be. And I guess I'll just wrap up my report with this, the district awards assembly May 11th at 10:00 a.m. Senior scholarship night Tuesday, May 12th 6:30 p.m. Graduation, Alex already said it, Sunday, May 17th 2:00 p.m. Can you believe
089it? Woah. And then the last day of school for students and the uh-oh Let's see here. Um Thursday, May 21st. Am I correct on that, babe? All right, so Yeah, I'm graduated. >> [laughter] >> Or for the for everybody else, Alex and so there's a there's a quick report there. I guess one one other thing that we knew that we talked about quite a bit at WASA was the fact, and I think this is really important for trustees, that math and science white top results are not going to be released till this fall. And you know, with the shortening of the standards, the reduced math and science standards, they need to have another data validation. What do we mean by that? Set the cut scores so we can determine proficiency, advanced, those things. That work
090will happen this summer and uh not going to have those results till this fall. They're also indicating that those results are aren't going to be as detailed as they used to be. So, it's going to be some interesting stuff. I think the board needs to make a note of that. We'll have the ELA, we'll have ACT, but comprehensive data is probably not going to be ready to go till sometime this fall. And that could impact our data workshop and some of those things. So, that's what I have for the superintendent report for now. We have lots to talk about. The budget is first and foremost. Okay. Thank you. Let's move on to board member and committee reports. Um Rec Board, Mr. Keller, would you like to report? Yeah, pull up the Pull up the minutes
091here. Um Oh. As of our uh last uh Rec Board, adult basketball, one week into the their they're at the playoffs last week. All right. So, there's one more week >> [clears throat] >> for the playoffs. Uh youth soccer started on the 13th. And uh there is another trip up to uh Antelope Butte for skiing. And uh there was uh the Rec Board submitted for the uh Well, it's called the uh 2026 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Tourism Trust Fund Grant uh for they want to put in a pump uh that pump track uh for bicycles behind the uh Rec facility as it stands now. Um We uh as far as the one of the big things that we've been working on was the digital sign and getting the MOU finalized and we got that finalized and
092signed on how we were going to pay for that, um the uh uh depreciation fund and dealing with the advertisements. The uh new facility in the crow's nest, that's still an ongoing issue and trying to get contractors nailed down for the crow's nest replacement as well as getting plans and everything started for the new facility. The uh sprinklers for the baseball field were installed and that went well along with laying down sod. And uh we went through our third reading for uh funding requests for all of uh the programs that we're asking for money. And it was first reading for the budget, correct? Second reading. >> Yeah. Yep, that's right. Second reading. So, kind of small. All right. Uh yep, that's where we left off at. So, um the sod we ordered and uh community
093volunteers came and helped put it out. So. >> Yeah, which I didn't go. As a board member, I probably should have gone, but I wasn't unavailable to attend. Um but I heard it went really great and that it looks really nice. So, that's pretty awesome uh community activity right there. I actually really proud of everyone who came out and did it, so. >> [clears throat] >> That's all I have to add. Um Northwest BOCES is Bethany, who's not here, so we'll move on to um early childhood BOCES. We did not have a meeting. Um CWC BOCES, I think that was a good enough presentation that that we just had. So, and and Mr. Skeleton is gone. So, we'll go on to DGC. Um Jean. So, with the DGC, um there was basically two main discussions.
094One, they continued going over the staff professional learning survey that they had done. Um how the PDs were working the Friday PDs were working and what improvements could be made on that. There was a lot of really good information in that survey. Um they liked the round tables. They wanted follow up. Um it was a plethora of information. The the principals were kind of they've got their work cut out to go through all that all that information that they got on the surveys. Um it's definitely good good to see that that information. Um the other piece that they talked a lot about were was the curriculum resource purchases and Jessica has a spreadsheet put together for the teachers to go in and put what curriculum they want to purchase and whether that's going to be
095approved or not and the buildings have a budget that they can spend. And Mr. Luby, I'm sure is getting his spent a little bit more than what it was. Um the >> [laughter] >> they were arguing over Mr. Luby's budget cuz he hadn't had anything in there to spend this or not very much. >> [laughter] >> Um but anyway, he we're going to finish that more here this next meeting. So, I I'm just going to keep it short and sweet because we're running low on >> [laughter] >> Um Well, next we have the finance building committee, but we all kind of met with uh Jess this month. So, really we're all in the loop with that and she'll be doing So, can we skip that one? Okay. We didn't have a an official Yeah, and
096we all had meetings with her this month. Okay. Yes, I did schedule another one. I know. I assumed it would be a separate. And legislative updates would probably be the information that we've gotten for budgeting. So, that will be when Jess presents. Um CASBA report, we gave that last month or no? Yeah. Yeah, okay. So, that's all. Let's move on to our collective commitments. I had that pulled out of um board member and committee reports um just because it is a a bigger item so that it was its own agenda item. Um it's something we've been talking about um since September, October, somewhere in there. And I I think um with Dr. Foos's help we've made some progress. Um So, does [clears throat] have everyone had a chance to review the um commitments that Dr.
097Foos sent out? And then compared them to our current collective commitments. Yes, Nicole. I just want to say thank you for putting this together because I think we were having a hard time kind of figuring out even where to start and this is absolutely excellent. So, I I really appreciate you taking that on because I don't know that we would have gotten this far. So, I really appreciate it and it's really well done. Um so, is there any um talking points about these specific Can I just comment that um I've read through it a couple of different times uh and I really like where it's at. I um I think that it provides um sort of refocus, maybe, or updated focus on uh how we see our district as a professional learning community. And I
098don't really know what I would go in and change from it, to be quite honest. Um I'm sure that, you know, I could find some minor details or something like that to change, but I really like the the focus and, frankly, the just kind of straightforward bullet points of how the board uh proposes to interact with each other and interact uh as a district in supporting the PLC process, supporting um our teachers and their growth and development in that. And so, I'm very supportive of it as it as it is. Same. It's excellent. Marshall, any thoughts? Yeah, actually, I I did have a question. It was on the communication norms. Um So, I like the fact that we have it where the superintendent's going to be the primary spokesperson, but I got a little confused
099when I'm looking at we have in beginning where is it us or are we just promoting utilization of the media to articulate quality work done to help every student and their potential. And that's where I get confused. Is that us or is or is that where we uh you know, that you know, we support the you know, the use of that, you know, if we're going to have the superintendent being the primary spokesperson communicating with the public. Does that make sense? >> Yes. So, um good question. When I read that, I read it as saying um we're not going to use our social media to badmouth the district. Yeah, that's kind of how I read it, too. Like, if you're going to post something say on Facebook, you're promoting the quality of student achievements. We're
100We're agreeing. And if there's something bigger going on that's not just, you know, saying little things about the district and cool things students are doing, then that goes to the superintendent. That's how I read that. When we say the media, I get a little, I guess, um are we talking about social media? Are we talking about the newspaper? I I think we're talking about all of the above, >> Yeah. but, um That's how I read it. >> Okay. I just want to make sure that we're all on the same page here. So, my So, my thought process was looking at the previous collective commitments, it was in there, and the previous ones read, "Use the media to develop to develop a more positive image." And And so, in kind of revamping that one, number one,
101that's why that bullet made it in there because it was something that was on the old collective commitments. But, second, I I used it as utilizing the media, for example, our uh Facebook page with Bobcat 1. What's the name of that? Bobcats Kelly Yeah, the the Yeah. And And so, I think I think the Facebook page, I think the local newspaper, and when we can have our students in FFA tonight, it'd be nice to see a write-up on them in the paper next week, and and posting on social media. So, yeah, it intended to continue to I'm not going to say develop a more positive image, but to bring to light the wonderful things that are happening because because there are so many wonderful things happening, and a lot of times they don't make it
102make it to the external stakeholders. I I I will even admit, being here only 10 months um FFA and our ag classes, hearing about it. But the more I've been involved the last 10 months, it really is quite impressive, culminating to the state event that I went to a few weeks ago. And and so even me who is I guess per se around it every day, I think our external stakeholders, we just need to when we do good things, get it out to them and we need to utilize the media to do that. Cuz there's a lot of good going on. Uh can I just reiterate that I I feel that for quite some time, I feel that the district definitely makes efforts, but I do think that there are so many things happening that
103are noteworthy and and positive. Like I don't I mean I don't know that you want to go into air anything that's negative going on anyway. I mean we do want to be honest and and up front about the happenings at the district, but I do think that the community they could um would would better understand all the positive things that are happening if we had some heightened focus there from through some through several of the different media channels that you that you notice. I I feel that the district's been doing amazing things for several years. And um we want to keep that trajectory happening, but I think sometimes the community maybe doesn't realize some of these things. And I would, you know, challenge Katie to work with London to get a little spread on the
104social media account that we have what? Five students who have their certification in EMS. Those are that's a big deal. And those students are like that is challenging, that's a workload, and they have to work hard. They can't waste time in order to complete those requirements and and those are the things that I'm talking about that I don't think enough people know about. I I do have one I guess one thing I if I I can to get back on that. I would like to see that part about the supporting our superintendent as a primary spokesperson. I'd like to see that bumped up to number the first thing that's being read because these are our commitments. It's also how we should operate, right? I mean and don't get me wrong, I think we should vote
105our conscience when we do, but you know, when we oppose things in a professional manner, but once that's decided, the superintendent should be the spokesperson and we should support what comes out and that >> And so it's to me this is not just a commitment, but it's also how we as a board operate once we do things as a on a principle. Thank you, Trustee Keller, and I I think it's it's the superintendent's responsibility to understand the will of the board. And I think that is what that bull bullet is referencing right there. Supporting the superintendent as the primary spokesperson representing the will of the board and our board training does tell us that the trustees' authority lies within the will of the board, your quorum, and as individuals being those good listeners and all
106of those things and and understanding the superintendent's responsibility to represent that will. And I'll And I'll add just a little bit more caveat. It is clear to me and and also a priority of mine, but the the will of the board and the direction of the district needs to continue to build upon the PLC framework and and those things and and me being the district representative is responsible for forwarding that will of the board and and doing that work. And so I appreciate your feedback on putting that as a number one bullet and I'm trying to clarify um the intent of that bullet. Um yeah, um I'm in agreement with with Marshall on that one. I I like that moving that up to the first one under communication norms. Um everyone like that? So, we
107can make that a modification. >> [clears throat] >> Okay, Jean. Um so, what I was thinking about with the collective commitments, I do like um like the the focus of it. One of One of the things that I appreciate very much so is the focusing on the student as a whole, not just the um academic testing standards. And I know that the testing is really important because that is what we use to find out how our kids are doing, but there are other really important factors that we need to um that I would like to see measured beyond just academic testing to make sure that our kids are doing okay. And so, I like that the piece in advocacy where it is talking more about uh making sure we're taking care of the the whole
108child. Well-rounded. Um not not losing some of those kids behind. Um I think that's really really important that as a board, we know the importance of that. So. Agreed. So, >> [clears throat] >> these are not published in our um packet because uh I I wanted us to have time to discuss them and and vote on them before they they kind of got published and put out there. Um I would say um we can make a motion to approve these and then bring them back for a second reading and for a final approval. Yes. I would really like to have when we decide that this is what it is, I would like to have a separate special meeting for a signing where we read them we or even just do it during our meeting but
109where we read them out loud each of us making a commitment to to follow these where everyone is here. You know, where we're not missing a few people. Like tonight the initial motion we can make but when we finalize it, I would really like to see that that's a public declaration of this is what we're following and then we put it out for the community. Especially with elections coming up, this is the basis for everything we do. And so it it's a great thing to hand out and even bringing it to the county clerk where they can pass it out in the board packet for elections. You know, when people receive their election packet because it is the it is the basis of everything we do. And so I I think it's important to you
110utilize this as not something that just gets filed away and we read it, you know, little bits of it here and there but where it really is our operational standards. Right. So it is. Um and and the way we have it set is for our board self-evaluation is tied to these collective commitments. Um so this when these are approved, that will then change our board self-evaluation to reflect these changes. Um and that's how we will go through and evaluate ourselves. We will also put it in the um like we've always done the board member and committee reports and read a section Good. each month. Uh uh to to remind us. But yes, it will be published for the public to see. That's what's good. I don't know what what do you guys think about us
111signing? I like that idea. Yeah, even if even if it's in the middle of a meeting, it wouldn't take long, but just where all of us are present and we all sign it and agree to it. And then when we have a new board member who comes in, you know, is there anything on here you disagree with? You you know. >> And then we can bring it Yeah, back for discussion again. Yeah, it's pretty comprehensive document. I mean, it's three long pages. Um Madam Chair, it's pretty comprehensive, but it's also pretty straightforward and a guiding document for the way that we should conduct our business and and the way that we should set out to achieve our goals as a district. And so, um not to say that there wouldn't be other edits and that's
112fine, but I think generally speaking it's solid as far as a way to move forward. But one thing to remember though is that we can't commit future boards to it. No, that's right. Yeah, we just can't. >> Right. We can we can help them understand why they're important, but it's not up to us to commit a future board. Right. That's why like if someone new comes on the board, this is maybe the first training session that we do going through this and discussing it and seeing [clears throat] if there's anything that they're concerned about. They would have it maybe in their election packet where they've already had an opportunity to look at it. Well, and and honestly, a lot of these points are tied to um district policies. Yeah. I mean, really uh when we
113become become new board members, we get all of those board policies to read through um to to know what our roles and responsibilities are as as a board member and a lot of these are tied to those. >> Mhm. So, um Yeah. I I I like them. Um And comparing to our old ones, I I think it's a good update. Um it's a it's a good update and it fits us as a board better. Um it's who we are now. Mhm. I'm sure. I think it also fits better from the retreat that we had. I'm trying to forget I'm trying to forget I'm trying to remember uh Dr. Pritzl. Pritzl, yeah. I I I follow him on LinkedIn and I see his stuff come up and I'm like, "Oh, yeah, Dr. Pritzl." Um but anyway,
114I think that this, you know, also ties in a lot of what we went through on that for probably obvious reasons, but I I appreciate that. Thank you. Can I get a motion? Madam Chair, I move that we approve on the first reading our uh board collective commitments. I'll second. Any more discussion? Okay. All in favor? I. >> I. All opposed? Okay. And we'll bring it back next month for hopefully second and final reading. Thank you, Dr. Pusch, for your work on that. We appreciate it. >> Thank you. All right. Visitor and public comment. Do we have anyone? If did you fill out a paper for you? No, do I need to? Um does she need to? It's okay, I think. >> [laughter] >> We trust you. I'll just grill you when you step up
115there. You need to give me your name and um social security number. >> [laughter] >> And the agenda item in which you were going to discuss. Perfect. I am Sheri Shell and I'll be discussing the CWC Bochese Malevi and also uh policy change. Um so I represent the Learning Center and Thrive Thermopolis. Did you guys get letters of support in your board packet or do you need to distribute them? No, we got them. We got them. Perfect. So I'll do Thrive Thermopolis first. So Thrive Thermopolis is our local economic development entity and we're very excited about the Central Wyoming College partnership with the Learning Center because of the workforce development opportunities that it provides right here in Thermopolis. So a lot of times when we get people, they leave for college, they don't come back,
116right? So if we can get them to go to college right here in Thermop, maybe they'll stay, work at our local hospital as a CNA instead of leaving to go to Casper to college and then never coming back, right? So um Thrive is just really really very excited about the CWC partnership and we would love for you guys to support that. Um and the Learning Center letter is also uh along the same vein. There's just a couple of things I would like to make sure that you guys really understand. Right now, that half-time position is funded by the Learning Center. The Learning Center is not We don't have any kind of public or sustainable funding at all. We do fundraisers, we write grants. We're very uh lucky to have as much community support as we
117have. Um the community has just been very very supportive of everything that we do over there. So that position right now is funded through the end of this fiscal year, which ends June 30th, and that was uh made possible by the Wyoming Community Foundation. We got a grant for that salary. But that funding is not a permanent source of funding, right? So we have until then to kind of figure out what's next for us. We would love for you to consider that. I know the Learning Center is committed to doing it if you guys don't, but there's no other source of public funding that's available for that. The county's not going to do it. This you know, it's not something that would normally come from the school budget, from the rec district budget, anything like
118that. It's the only fund that makes sense is BOCES. So, that's what it's for is higher education for both your students and for the community. Just like we'd really encourage you to to increase that. There's a couple of line items there that if you're looking at the budget, um obviously the dual enrollment tuition, he's got that completely blanked out. That's a $10 million total budget for the state. And from what I can tell, nobody really knows how much that's going to cost the state, especially when in Cheyenne they've been limiting to one and opening the floodgates there, you know, how many students are going to take advantage of that. So, there's a chance that you might have extra stuff in that line item. Who knows, right? And then there's a lot of other stuff that's
119like sort of really nearly, right? I think um I know that we've gotten a lot of conversation um when we started talking about concurrent enrollment instructor pay. I think the instructors they do a lot of extra work to teach those classes. So, I do think that that line item is really important. Um they feel a little bit under valued right now. I can tell you. And I think the half of half a salary is half of that is coming as they said from the um >> [clears throat] >> college and career readiness program. And that's CWC fund, they'll continue to fund that half-time salary. But the other half is up to us as a community. And as I said, this is the only place where that makes sense. So, if if you would consider raising
120that, and I would really encourage you to just raise it to the full half mil because there's so many so many variables there that I think in a year or two we'll know how much that's really going to cost, and we can settle it out. And maybe then we do get to lower it back down to 0.4 or 0.3. Um but right now it just seems like and there's just not that much of a cushion in there either. We used to have a big cushion in there. We whittled that over the last couple of years down lower and I think um I would really encourage you to just go with the full half now. Great. Do you have questions for me? That explained it so well. I didn't realize anything that you just said from
121the previous conversation. So like it that really makes so much more sense. So thank you for narrowing that down to make sense. Perfect. Now at the risk of uh offending people, I'd also like to speak to a policy change. Um your school dance policy now is banning the kids that are in our HiSet program. And um it's hard enough for those kids to feel welcome at the school. Several of them are eligible to come back to classes if if they felt like this was a place where they belong, that would be a lot easier for them to do. And when they feel like they're being banned from the school then then that just reinforces to them that they don't belong at the school, that that's not a place for people like them. And I'd just
122really love to see them. They are all well, the ones I'm advocating for. If they're enrolled in the HiSet program, that makes them a student at Central Wyoming College. They're enrolled students at CWC. And you think that they deserve a chance to come, be with their peers. It's important for them socially and I think it just reinforces to them that that is a setting where they belong and that would make it so much easier for them. So I would love for you to consider that policy change as well. Okay. Thank you, Sheree. Can I ask her a quick question? What are the age ranges of that HiSet program? Is that just high school? >> The ones that are being banned now are the ones between 16 and 18. >> Okay. Okay. I wasn't sure if
123there were some that are beyond that age group. Yeah, they definitely are. I don't know that you're not asking right that. No, okay. So, just high school age children. Right now they're considered dropouts and so they're not eligible to go. Okay. And that has that has been an issue this year. Okay. Thank you. You don't happen to know what policy that is? We can look it up. I just thought you might know. >> I Yes, it's the school dance policy. Um It's just you have to be enrolled in Hot Springs County High School in order to Well, no, not really because the online kids, so we've got kids that do online high school, they're eligible. We've got kids that come from other communities, like if you're dating someone in Riverton, they can come over. Um
124it's just the kids that are considered dropouts and right now our high set students are considered dropouts, so they can't come to the school dances. Right. Even if they're dating somebody from the school, even if they're invited by someone as a guest, which is the situation that's happening. Really? That's interesting that even if they're invited by someone. Is that because they can't get a signature then from the school that they would be attending? But that I don't know. Okay, we are going to look into that. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. Okay. Let's move on to our routine items. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes? I'll move to approve the minutes. Second. Any discussion? Okay, all those in favor? I. >> I. All those opposed? Um staffing recommendations as listed. I move that
125we approve the stacking staffing recommendations as presented. Second. Uh any discussion? All those in favor? I. >> I. All those opposed? Bills and financials. Can I get a motion, please? >> I motion to approve the monthly financials. Second. Any discussion? Brittany, do you want me to read the policies? That's up to you. We read them. We can just type that. >> [laughter] >> Okay, all those in favor? I. I. All those opposed? Okay. Establish procedure for determining 2026-2027 compensation. Um in [clears throat] agenda review, we discussed this bullet point about whether to leave it on or off, and um I'd asked that it be left on so that we could make a public statement saying um "Really, the procedure for determining compensation has been taken out of our hands. Local control has been taken away
126from us by our legislator, and they've decided that they will decide what compensation is." So, there's that. Uh, there's really no action for it. Um, but I I just wanted to make that public statement. Can I add to that? >> Yeah. So, the other thing with the legislators, um, deciding kind of how we can handle that compensation, that's only for our certified staff that they have really advocated for in that way. And so, this year it might be really difficult because, while we have a substantial amount of money that we have access to for our teachers, that same amount of money is not available for everything else in our district, from foods to transportation to our maintenance to, you know, so because that's been taken out of our control, that makes it really hard. And
127I want the community to understand that that's not our doing, that, you know, they've taken that line item of teacher compensation out of our overall budget. So, Yeah, yeah, they're deciding how the funds are spent. >> Right. I I think it's important though that we don't We can We can make it work. We don't need to whine and fuss about it because we can. It'll be functional. It will, but I think it'll make >> I'm making a public statement. Right. >> But, so there's a difference. >> We all have to deal with it. All every district has to deal with it. >> But, I think it's important that the public understands that although they will see a good raise for our teachers, which they 1 million percent deserve, double what they make. We are not
128able to do that for the rest of the staff, and I don't want people to think that that's something that we've chosen, that we're giving huge raises to one group of people and not valuing the other people in our district because that's not what's happening, and I I know that will be a discussion, and so I just wanted to make that clear that if if we had that kind of money for every staff member, we would do the same. So, not whining and fussing, but just Madam Chair. not known. Um if I may, I would I would like to add just one point about nutrition services and and our children school lunch programs and those things and and the new legislation really did um prevent the district's abilities to to help support those programs, and
129and we know we have some things in place, and really our district is being forced with the new regis- legislation to really get creative to forward our lunch services and and those things, and and those would be some of my concerns, and I would like to tell the legislation, "Thanks, you know, for really looking at the at the situation and and infusing more money into public education, and I know we have a responsibility to be stewards of taxpayer dollars, but there are some things in the fine print that I admittedly disagree with and the loss of control on some of those things for children is definitely a concern, and and so there's my statement." So, he worded it better than I did. Are you happy with that? >> [laughter] >> Okay. So, uh new business.
130Uh policy review. We only have one policy uh that no changes were recommended for. So, unless someone has a change they want to promote, it's just there for review. My head's been itching ever since I read it. >> [laughter] >> We actually just changed this policy last year. >> last year. Yeah, so >> [clears throat and cough] >> I I have to say when I saw it and then read those words like, "Yeah, that's that's a big word." And I saw in the parentheses head lice. Oh, okay. Just start with that to save head lice. >> Yeah. Okay, since seeing no further discussion, uh we're on to policy revision. There are five policies listed there. I move that we approve policy JLA, JLC, JLCB, JLCC, JLCE for the first reading. Second. Any discussion? I was
131thinking like I had one, but I can't remember what it was. So, on the policy JLCC, the bottom of the first page, so on the um paragraph that starts with in the case of any decision to exclude a student may be made by the mill building administrator, then the decision may be appealed to the superintendent who shall review the matter and render a decision within 3 days. And then the next paragraph says that any decisions that are made by the board of trustees shall be final. It's almost like there's no no step between the um between the administrators [snorts] then or to the superintendent then to the board like there's no option to appeal to the board of trustees. It's just their decision's final even though it doesn't look like we have any say. I
132I interpret that that the superintendent would make a decision within three working days. If that decision is still a decision that a stakeholder may disagree with, then they can appeal to the board, and then the board's decision would be final. So, I think just that one statement does say there is a step in there after the superintendent. You think? I do. Okay. I don't think so, but I can certainly um adjust that a little bit to make it to make it more clear. Okay. Yes, Councilwoman I also think it's basically saying you have control to handle it now, and the board will handle it at the board meeting down the road if it's a continual issue. >> But, I'm not sure that's what the policy is saying. Okay. But, Yeah, I just think it's something
133to kind of look at a little bit. Understood, and we can do that. I I I think always the constituents are have the ability to appeal to the board no matter what, whether it's in the policy or not. Yeah. So, Agreed, the board always retains the authority. we have to add that. I just that's just something that I noticed, so. Okay. >> [clears throat] >> We'll work on it. Okay. Anything else? All right, seeing no further discussion. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. All those opposed? Okay. Moving on to um policy [clears throat] retire. I move that we retire policy JLCCA. I'll second. Okay. Um and only discussion point I had is when we talked about it in uh agenda review, it's just an outdated policy. Yeah. >> And what's in it is covered in
134our other policies. So. Any other discussion? Okay. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? All right. Moving on to preliminary budget. Uh Jessica Bennefield, you're up. All right. I'll go ahead and cast this up there just so that people can see it um that don't have a printout. But you guys should have all of that in front of you. Madam Chair, can we take a little bathroom break? Oh. While I get these attached, that's perfect. >> be great. >> [laughter] >> Thank you, Jane. Great. We don't have Bethany running out the door to save us. Yes, that's a perfect idea. >> Thanks. Yeah. All right. Now you're on it. Okay. Um, every year we are required to present to you guys a preliminary budget uh before the 15th of May. Ours always falls on
135the third Thursday, which is usually after that date. So, we do ours in April. Um, and the preliminary budget is a statutory requirement. No action is required of you guys. Um, and so I would just ask as we go through this uh Chelsea knows these are very preliminary numbers. I do not have my grant allocations yet. Um, I do not have Attorney General guidance on how exactly reimbursements for insurance are going to work, etc., etc. So, do just keep in mind we just do the general fund of the preliminary budget um just due to the amount of uncertainty. And so, we'll check this off the list, but it also gives us a good starting point. So, um you can see from the front there that we are getting a good increase this year um based
136on our on my projections of those reimbursements down there. So, I do want to throw that caveat in there. Um, these are based on extensive conversations with WDE, with other business managers, with superintendent feedback as well. Um, and so they are my best guesses though, but please be aware that they are guesses. That is for sure. >> [laughter] >> So, we haven't done insurance reimbursements in the past. So, I I am hoping that as long as we are under the threshold of the state's plan, we are allowed to request reimbursement for up to that amount per employee. Um, and so that's what that is based on. And same thing with um our retirement reimbursement. Um, these are all general fund figures. So, do keep in mind that as we are going through uh future budgets,
137uh daycare, food service, those kind of things, Any of those are are outside of these reimbursements. So, these numbers do not include any of any of those. So, um, as you can see, we continue to um, everything gets more expensive and we like to pay our people more. So, our expenditures are increasing and you can see up there that the biggest difference by far is in our instructional um, category. And so, that is where we receive the dollars, that's where we're going to put our dollars. So, of the amount of money that we received in an increase, over 75% of that is locked into uh, what's called the instructional silo, that was part of that um, house bill. And I do have I don't know how deep into the weeds you want to get on
138all the parts and pieces of that recalibration bill. Um, but a couple of things to keep in mind are that we do now have an allocated instructional silo that is only for wages and benefits of instructional staff. The definition of instructional staff has changed literally three or four times just in the last 2 weeks. And so, I am cautiously optimistic that that is actually going to include our counselors, librarians, nurses, which were previously very clearly discluded and are not in the highlighted portion of the budget tool that says instructional silo, but on the WDE website for resources, those are now included as of when did I get that email? I want to say on Friday. Um, they put that guidance out on the website. So, I'm going to take a screenshot of that because the
139email does not say it, the website does and we know I know you can change a website. So, I'm going to screenshot that and save that in my pocket so that when I code those things there, that is why and um, and hopefully that will help us with a little bit of breathing room because all of our salary schedules are based off of our um, I'm sorry, all of our certified schedules are based off of our teacher salaries. So, our speech pathologists, our counselors, our nurses, all of those are linked directly to our teacher salary. So, as those go up, those other salary schedules will go up as well. So, So, very, very helpful to be able to include that in 75% of our increase in funding. And so, we also are going to have
140a little bit more in sped reimbursements due to some added district placements. We're also going to have um a little bit more in transportation reimbursements. I kept this transportation reimbursement as it has been in the past, but one of the big um changes in the recalibration bill is that instead of us having to front the money for a $150,000 bus, the um and I shouldn't say front We do still have to front the money. But instead of waiting for that to be paid back to us, currently, I buy a bus, they give me the money back over 5 years. So, 20% the next year and then the following years. Um that's why a lot of districts lease buses. So, we shifted to leasing buses because I can make my lease payment and then that's in
141my reimbursement the very next year. So, the money I've put out comes back to me the very next year. But that does result in a lot of interest being paid if you think about it across the state. Um and so, the state did make the change that they are now going to reimburse within They say within 30 days. I'll You will color me surprised. But we'll see if that pans out, but the theory being that we will front the entire cost of a bus, which we have our depreciation reserve for equipment, so we would be able to float that until that reimbursement comes right back to us. So, we do have three buses on lease right now. Two is part of one lease, one of another. Um and they are going to pay off those
142leases soon. So, I do not have that in here because they have not collected um They should be able to get that information from their reports, but they'll have to wait until the end of the fiscal year to see what everybody paid this year. For example, our lease payments aren't due until May and June. So, there are still payments out there that folks will need to wrap up and then we'll have to report all that to the state and then they'll have to process it and we'll get that money back. So, those little bonus one-off things are not included in these numbers. Um >> [clears throat] >> like I say, to make make that they actually come to fruition and in whatever fashion it turns out to be. Um Another thing on our special education
143reimbursements that's going to be super helpful for our small district is that our out of district placements are now going to be reimbursed on either a monthly or quarterly basis instead of not until the entire next year. So if we pay >> [clears throat] >> you know, 50 grand in September for an out of district placement, I don't see that $50,000 until the next fiscal year and only 10% of the time. And that's a big cost. Each kiddo over at BOCES about a day placement right now is about $215,000. We have another out of district placement that's over at Region 5 BOCES that is $360,000. So those are not small dollar amounts and one or two kids make a big difference in a budget as small as ours. So that's going to be a huge
144help. So we'll receive our reimbursement from all of last year's placements and then we will also be fronting the money, but it will come back to us much sooner than it has in the past. So that'll give us a little more breathing room on cash management, basically. You got a question? Yeah, is that going to affect your reserve? It could, but we're not budding up against the threshold. We still have 30% for another full fiscal I think it's 28. I believe it's June 28th that that drops back down without any further further legislative action. And so we are I think we could have about a $3 million reserve. We got to have about 1.5 later. So we're we're doing okay on there. And it will help because all of our special education expenditures are not
145in the funding model. They come through as reimbursement. So we're going to have to front the money on these on these increases with the instructional reserve money for our our non-special education if that makes sense because that's not built in the funding model that comes as a reimbursement. So it will help a ton to be able to front those. To be able to cash flow that? >> Yeah. Yep. So so huge huge pluses there. Um but again, as you guys already spoke to, 75.8% of our increases in the instructional silo. So, that is an uh it's wonderful for teachers because we were stealing all our money from the other places to try to get their wages where they needed to be. And basically what has happened is all those extra areas, $200,000 in health insurance,
146$400,000 in utilities, those pads were going to instruction. So, it'll just be a balancing act of making sure that everything that was cannibalized to give those increases um is still able to to function. And we do have a couple of efficiencies that we've been able to realize that are going to help a lot with that. So, um down below, if you look on the other side of your page, this is a very similar to what you've seen in the past. Up at the top, I would usually have your ECAs that we were allocated, but in a recalibration year, they reset everything and there aren't any ECAs. So, ECAs, we'll keep that on here just so that we're aware that ECAs don't happen in a recalibration year and we can keep an eye on what they
147end up giving us next year. Um the funding itself uh yeah, the the foundation guarantee itself is a very minimal increase. Where our increase is coming from is those reimbursements on retirement and insurance. Um so, like I said, we'll I wish I had stronger, more clear-cut rules on how that's going to work out so I felt more confident in those numbers, but we're on the same boat, like I said, so it'll be it'll be fine. Um we are decreasing in ADM. So, that is it's it's a good year for us to get that influx of funding because they are um we are on a slower, much slower decline than we were, but we are still on a decline. And um the other thing that this piece of legislation did is took away the 3-year rolling
148average. Luckily, there's an amendment to give us a 2-year rolling average instead instead cutting it straight down to immediate effects, that average gives us a little bit of a soft landing. We don't want to have an influx of 20 kids and um not have the staffing for it because we had to cut it because we lost 20 kids the year before, right? And so, I well, I appreciate the 2-year rolling average, 3-year would make more sense, but [clears throat] nobody asked me, so. Um health insurance rates, that's more good news for us. So, originally, the quote that I um was given was a 9.6% increase to our insurance rate, which we are part of with the Wiz Bate Trust, and so they capped their increases. Nobody will ever get more than 15%, and what I
149heard from some other folks who got their increases or their rate changes earlier um were double digits. Everyone I heard from was double digit increases, some over 20. So, when they told me 9.6, I was like, well, that's more than I would like it to be, but we can work with it. But, once they apply that musketeer factor across all the districts, um it's mostly school districts. There's also BOCES is in there. Um I think there's maybe one one other entity that's not a school district, but it's mostly school districts. They they spread that risk and that volatility [clears throat] in, you know, ours is a perfect size example. There's a lot of our size that, you know, one case of cancer or something along those lines can really put you upside down on your
150premiums. So, they apply that musketeer factor, which took us down to 7.7%. With the uncertainty, the original legislation regarding insurance said that everybody was going on to the state plan right now, right now. And that was determined to be too fast of a turnaround, didn't have enough information, so with that in the back of folks' mind, we just or I'm sorry, Wiz Bate does have a decent-size reserves, and it they labeled a rainy day fund, and the question is, is it raining right now? Our average over the entire trust of increase was higher than usual. Usually, the whole trust as an average is only about 5% of an increase each year, and we were over 11% as a trust overall. And so, the decision was made to go ahead and invest some of those reserves
151in decreasing the premium percentage. So, everybody got a five percentage point decrease to their projected rate, which puts us at 2.7%. So, way better than 9.6. I will take it. Um so, that's where we're at on there. And that will allow us a little more breathing room between what we can ask for for reimbursement because we are limited by what the state allocates their plan limits for. So, that'll keep us within there. Um property liability insurance um only about 8% uh usually I I plan 10 in my head. So, 8% is is preferable there and that'll that'll keep us manageable on those, but I won't have those finalized rates. Uh Kurt Paxton is our agent through Tegler and we met um last week and sat down and went over um estimates and they provided the
152conditional renewal, but it's not until June that we actually get those those exact dollar figures. And then, I just wanted to keep on here. We've always had it on the past uh our current historical ADM. So, it kind of shows you what our district is trending and that 583 469 is off of the WDE website as of today. That will fluctuate a little bit. It's your average daily membership, so um if a kiddo drops out or if anything like that happens between now and the end of the school year, that could change a little bit. Um I do have off to the right just for your information that in the funding model for this fiscal year that we're in right now, we were able to utilize 611 for our ADM because of that three-year rolling
153average. Now, that was a drop of 24 kids from the previous year and then this year we're going to drop another 26 on that average. So, uh not a big benefit on that two-year rolling average for us cuz our two low years are this year and last year. So, we kind of needed that third year to kick it back up a little bit, but do you guys have any questions? What's the um uh Trying to word this correctly. What's the uh basically the average amount that we receive per ADM? Um they don't have it broken out the same way, so my tabs are different on my 100. So, um some of the resources are dependent on ADM and some of them are dependent on square footage of your uh maintenance and facilities costs as And
154so, I don't have a good figure for that based on how they've shaken up. I'm hoping that the final budget tool is a little closer and I can I can ask them to give me how they're how they're figuring that now that it's not as easy to find as it was. Sounds good. on a previous. Um it is also a little bit um apples to apples is hard right now because there was Wyoming retirement in there, there was insurance in there, and now that's all stripped out but in 79 different places on those 26 different tabs with that um model. So, trying to tie those all together is a little bit murky, but tried to do that as best I could. Uh one other thing I didn't mention our county valuation is decreasing um about
1559% is what the assessor's guessing right now, which just changes our um amount of foundation guarantee that is locally funded versus entitlement funds. Just just a teeny bit there. Chauncey, if we take the 15 million 15.8 million divided by the 684, it's 27,000. And that's not I don't think that that's comparable to our previous 15 16,000 per kiddo because like I said, they're not all It's goofy. Yeah, there's some there's some bases and some minimums. Yeah, so and I do want to steer anybody away from thinking, "Well, if our ADM goes up by one kid, we get $27,000." Or even in the past $16,000, that's that it's not tied that way. So, so we can look at that. Yeah, I was just curious cuz I remember that $17,000-ish figure for that. So, if you're 26
156down over here, then I think you had already indicated that because of the new model, you're still going to receive an increase even though part of that a big chunk of that isn't to our discretion to utilize how we want. >> Yes, that's accurate. Um and there were um there were some cuts, unfortunately. Uh Jane knows from DGC the other day that, for example, our um technology supplies and our per student resource on the instructional supplies was cut by about $30,000. So, there's a little bit less available in our DGC curriculum resource budget um because of those because I can't use instructional silo money for the materials to teach the kids or the people to teach the kids, so. Madam Chair, can I just say awesome work? This is a super stressful time, I know
157from experience. And even furthermore, and the legislature um recalibrates and shifts everything up on you, so um I just appreciate everybody's work on giving us at least Jessica's work on uh giving us at least kind of a preliminary. And I also will say that I I know that this can change a lot between now and when we actually vote on a a final budget, so. Yeah, and Jason's going to give me the credit, but that's not accurate because he brings a lot of that stuff back to the superintendent meetings, and and he I'm very lucky to have such a collaborative partner because I know that there are other districts where it's two different islands, and that's not how it is here, and it's Yeah, you have to you have to collaborate. >> Yeah, it's nice
158to have some some input, for sure. Anyway, great work. Thank you. Thanks, guys. Again, no action needed on this, but And stay up there to talk about your policy Oh. Yeah, and thank you for setting up those meetings with all of us um to go >> Yes, I'm super sorry that I missed She dogged on on us. Yes, I ditched she and Nicole >> [laughter] >> Yeah, you did a good job. Well, I actually didn't show up to the one I'd scheduled with her, so I guess she was just giving Yeah. I'm sorry, they called me in early. Yeah, okay. >> [laughter] >> Well, well, we appreciate your effort. Thank you. >> Yeah, I thought that was very helpful. Yes, even if we did get the you know, the B team. the B team. Fair
159enough. Um the second one that I have to talk about is pretty self-explanatory in your budget. We have done a lot of work um to make sure that we follow up on any outstanding checks. We just don't let them get to 12 months um before we wrap up those loose ends and and take care of >> That is such a good accounting practice. Thank you for doing that. Of course, we might just not have had There were some pretty unique situations where folks moved to Timbuktu, no forwarding address, and but you call and they'd answer and say yes, so yeah, but but yeah, that's our goal is to not have We'll do it every year. It's a it's a state Sorry, requirement, but I hope just to not have to worry about those. Great. Thank
160you. Thank you. And the next one is Wiz Bang Board appointment. Is that you, too? >> that's kind of me, too. >> [laughter] >> So, Wiz Bang is a a trust and therefore the participating districts each have a voting member as part of that board so that we can make those decisions like allocating that 5% 5% is point decrease. Um it truly is very very collaborative. They present new services, they present um what kind of coverages we want to apply. It's very interactive, so it's nice. Um so obviously it's very important that we have a representative there, and usually it's your business manager, so uh I think we do this once every 3 years, right Brett? That where you renew it, so it's just time to renew that. Yeah, it says till 2029, so. Madam
161Chair, I move that we approve Jessica Pennefill as the um Hot Springs County School District number one uh insurance trust WISP board member for the term 2026 through 2029. Second. Okay. Any discussion? Any questions? Okay. All those in favor? I. All those opposed? All right. Can I get a motion to go into executive session? So moved. Oh, wait. We forgot to do the Oh, yeah. Cuz it's not written in here. >> Yeah, we have no more. Wait, sorry. Back up. Um we need to discuss next month's board meeting. Yes, so um since I'm asked for that, the last day of school is also the day of our of our board meeting, the 21st. It's also state track. That night's eighth grade graduation from 6:00 to 7:00. It's also a middle school dance, plus our board
162meeting. So I know there's three of us that have an eighth grader, so three of us >> We're going to be eighth grade graduation That's getting to Oh. Okay. Then I don't it state track, anybody going to be gone for that? Okay. Thank you for moving that. That's great. Okay, never mind. >> track conflict? Got it. >> I'm sure my kids expect some sort of party, but they probably don't care if I'm there or not. >> [laughter] >> Okay, then I don't think >> be better if I'm tied up at a board meeting. That eighth-grade graduation was going to mess it up just cuz there's three of us. So, without that, I don't think we have an issue. Okay. All right. Okay, so now it's executive session? Yeah. Okay. Motion and second? Well, it doesn't
163say that. >> [laughter] >> To discuss compensation and personnel. >> Thank you. A second? Second. Thank you. Okay, any discussion? All in favor? I. I. All right, we're adjourned. I'll second. Yes, sir. I needed to help because I forgot to tell these guys about the sign-ups. Yeah, I um you have the sheet over there still, don't you? Oh, is that for the scholarship night? Okay. Is that scholarship night? So, we have a motion and a second. Who seconded it? I heard Jean's motion. Yeah, I did. Marsha second. Okay. All in favor? I. I. Okay, we're back in session. >> [laughter] >> Um all we have left is Okay, action items, right? Madam Chair, I have a motion to make about the salary schedules. Um as a board, we have decided that the admin, including the
164directors, will get an average of a 5% raise, 5% increase, um instructional will get a 10% increase in their base plus the step will increase by 900. 10,000 What did I say? 10,000 10% You said 10%. >> Oh, 10,000 on their base. Sorry. Um plus a step of 900. And then the hourly people will get an average increase of 6%. The other piece that's going to increase is the sub pay will increase um kind of proportionately with the instructional piece. Did I miss anything? >> Second. Good job. Yeah, that was good. We acknowledge it's confusing because Yeah, it will It will >> become clearer as everybody gets there. Okay. Stuff written down. >> Motion, second. I'll second. All those No, no call did. Oh, did you? Sorry. Any discussion? Man, you are >> [laughter] >>
165winning here. Yeah. I would just say just discussion just we appreciate everything that everybody does in this district. Um our everybody from our um non-certified to certified staff and um just everything that everybody does for the kids of this district. I will say when we started when we embarked on this we had very different plans and uh the way that the legislature changed things up um is is how we arrived to uh these decisions for for these increases. And so again, we just want to we know that there's some different raises for different um staffing groups. Uh but we'll continue to get through this year and then figure out what happens in years to come to continue to make um I guess what I would say compensate all of our staff for the great work
166that you do. So, thank you for that. We'll continue to do what we can. I got [clears throat] one question. Uh on that motion, did we also include the uh um the step for the hourly as presented by the business administrator? I just want to make sure you I didn't hear it. Yeah. I just want to make sure that's was part of the motion. Did you get that? Hourly step? Uh yeah, as presented by the business. Got it. Thank you, Brett. >> And also, did you say 900 in steps for Okay. For instructional? Yeah. Okay. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Okay. Thank you, Jessica, for all the work and Dr. Pace, as well. Yeah. Thank you, Jess. Okay. So, our last item on our agenda is other business and board comments. Who wants to
167start? I will. >> [laughter] >> So, one of the things I was super encouraged about with the first part of tonight was when the FFA were really preparing those kids for life and I love that. I love that they're getting experience that's beyond test taking, you know, beyond just academics. They're getting life experience. Um and then with the CWC people in here, how they are providing that option for the different certificates and people to go right into the workforce. You know, one of I don't know that um Matt said it, but how in his little write-up he had you know, some kids are graduating with associate's degrees. Um it's a big deal for 18, 19-year-old kids ready to go into the workforce where they don't feel like they have to spend thousands of dollars going
168to college, hundreds, you know, tens of thousands of dollars going to college. And so, I just think as a community we are meeting those needs for those kids. And we had two great examples of it tonight. So, that's what I was thinking. I agree. Okay, Nicole, your turn. >> I have two. Um first, I just just I think you're absolutely incredible. And we're so lucky to have you in the position that you're in. And I wish everyone in the community and on staff really could see just how detailed you are and how proficient you are and um you do such a good job being um conservative with our community's tax dollars. And I just I really appreciate it. And I'm so glad that there are people in the world so smart like that because I
169could never do your job. But thank you for all you do. I see your light on way late and way early, and I see the hours you're putting in, and I appreciate you. So. Um my second kudos is to Is that how you say that word? Um Kudos. I'm tired. Kudos, that's what it is. Is middle school track. There are 10 million children out on our middle school track team. And when I go by and, you know, drive by and the kids are practicing, they're it's all controlled. And I don't know how that's happening because they're middle schoolers. And I think how many are there? Like 80, 85 kids are out for track. And those coaches have them all organized and they're all practicing their little events and they have this schedule and I don't
170know how they're doing it, but it's absolutely incredible to see the middle school controlled that well, but also at the meets, I don't know what the coaches are doing as far as like training the kids how to handle that independence, but watching those kids learn that they have to be in a certain area and they have to listen for the announcers and that independence that happens there, you could see like the first day the confusion on the first, you know, track meets for some of those kids that hadn't participated before. And now they're just where they have to be, they know what's going on. But those coaches are preparing those kids so well and it's so incredibly organized and I don't know how they're doing it, but it's an it's impressive when you see that
171many kids running around a track. So, good job, middle school. Yeah. >> I guess it's my turn, huh? Last year when we went through the budget session, it was eye-opening for me to see uh just how creative and well the our entire district does with what resources we're doing and again going through this again with uh Jessica, I'm just again I'm extremely appreciative of how creative everybody deals with the problems that we have and the constraints to make things work and I just want to say thank you. The entire district is it means a lot to me and I know it our community when I go to games and I talk to the older people that live in this community, it there's a lot of pride in the school and I just want to say
172thank you. So, >> [clears throat] >> I want to give a shout out to the parents who went to state convention uh as chaperones. I've done that for years. Um, it's fun, but it is work and the kids would not have as great of a um experience if those parents weren't there helping, directing, guide in all the different directions they have to go that week. Um, and it was great to see all the kids come in and and be celebrated, but really those parents help make that happen. So, thank you. Awesome. Yeah, I would just echo what everybody said. Um and um also, I guess one thing that I wanted to highlight is I had the opportunity uh it was a couple Saturdays ago, I think, uh to help out with the music festival that
173Mr. Gertler put on. It was an elementary music festival. I'd never heard of or seen such a thing, but it was basically a music camp. And it was the Northern Big Horn Basin that came. And it was the coolest opportunity to be around elementary age kids doing different musical like prepared different musical performances to put on that day. And just the excitement that Mr. Gertler puts into his work and the creativity. I had music teachers uh from other school districts saying, "We've never been to something this amazing. Like, who's your" and they they kind of know Mr. Gertler a little bit. I'm like, "Just You'll get to know him better. Just, you know." But, anyway, very impressed uh with that. And I think that that's just one example, honestly, of so many people in this
174district that really go above and beyond and um make and provide amazing opportunities for our kids to to learn and to be creative and, um, to be supported in so many ways. And so, I'm just I'm thankful for that. And I want to give kudos to Jess. Jess, you're doing amazing work and it is hard to keep track of all of this stuff. And, uh, kind of blowing my mind tonight. Um, so, anyway, uh, thank you everybody for all that you do. Proud to be a part of of this district. All right, I'm last. I want to congratulate the student body. It's I've been at all three buildings and and our children and our students are putting their best feet forward and they're right in the testing window for WyTOPP. They did the ACT a
175few weeks ago and they're getting after it and and I just appreciate them so much because they're trying their best and they have the growth mindset and to the faculty and to all staff, the administrators preparing them. It's been kind of fun watching them gear up for a really important time of the year and they're getting it done and and they're just they're awesome. Our children are awesome, so I'll leave it at that. Very nice. What a good way to end the meeting. >> We need one more thing. You wanted us to sign up. Oh, yes. Oh, that's post-meeting. Post-meeting. >> Yeah, yeah. >> So, we're done. Okay, now we can talk. One there, um, if you can sign that.