001allegiance. 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. >> Could I have a roll call? Madam chair, we have a quorum. >> Thank you. Next on the agenda is consider adoption or make changes in the board agenda. Do we have anything? >> We do. We have added an information item J, insurance changes. >> Okay. >> Madam chair, I would move we adopt the agenda as amended. >> Second. >> Any questions or comments? All those in favor? >> I. >> Anybody opposed? Okay, moving on. Consent agenda. Approval of the minutes of the March 24th, 2026 meeting. Consider payment of bills including late pays and pre-authorizations of payroll, insurance, utilities, officials, and automatic payments.
002>> Madam chair, I would move that we approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> on to our round table. We're honoring our teacher of the year recipients. >> You ready? >> Well, first of all, I want to thank everyone for coming. I think that this is probably one of my most favorite times of the year is when we get to recognize our educators that truly make our district just function and do everything possible for our kids. I know at the end of the day for a lot of you this is not just a profession it really is a calling and going through your applications and seeing the things that people when they nominated you. So they were nominated by students by other staff members by people within
003the community. Truly just amazing to see the things that they said about all of our educators in our buildings. And then ultimately um so what I'd like to do at this time is invite our principles up. They're going to say a few words and then once we're done with uh nominations and of our building teachers of the year, then we'll um talk about who our district teacher of the year. This person will go on and uh fill out a lengthy application, but it is totally worth it. And they'll get to hopefully represent us at the state level and possibly win Wyoming Teacher of the Year. So, it's a great opportunity and I just want to say we have some of the best. So, uh, principles, if you'll come up and start that. >> Um, will
004our recipient will our, uh, teacher of the year show [snorts] themselves stand or something? >> Sorry, what? Yeah. >> Okay. All right. So, >> go ahead. Right up here. [laughter] >> I know. I'm sorry. You got to come right there. >> All right. >> Good evening. Tonight, I have the distinct honor of introducing the Aspen Elementary 2526 teacher of the year, Carrie Nazel. When you read through the testimonial from her colleagues and families that she serves, um, a very specific theme emerges, it isn't just about test scores and lesson plans. It's about the human connection that makes learning possible. Step into Car's classroom and you'll immediately feel the difference. A calm, focused classroom. The day doesn't start with a lecture. It starts with a song and a connection circle. One observer noted that these circles,
005Carrie demonstrates, giving students the quiet space they need to think and find their own voices. She doesn't just manage a classroom. She nurtures a community where as often tells her students, "Everyone gets what they need here." Carrie is a master of intentional support. Whether she is working one-on-one, leading a small group, or guiding the whole class, she adopts her approach in real time. Parents have shared that their children have gained a gift of loving to learn. We hear stories of students who actually count down the days of a long weekend or a holiday break, not because they want to go back to work, because they can't wait to get back to the atmosphere Carrie has created. Carrie, your colleagues say you're top-notch. Your students, parents say you've changed their lives. And your students simply say
006they don't want to miss a single day of your teaching. for your unwavering belief that every student can exceed expectations and for making Aspen Elementary a place where every child feels they belong. It is my pleasure to recognize you as the teacher of the year, Carrie Nazis, >> Carla, come on up. >> I don't know how you're going to follow that. >> That's [laughter] put the pressure on early. [laughter] >> Uh Carla Cacera is Riverton Middle School's food and nutrition teacher and our teacher of the year. Um, this award is deserved as Carla connects with her students at a high level, is incredibly flexible with her schedule, values the importance of cross-curricular planning, has one of the most positive attitudes I have ever witnessed, and is a major reason we were able to bring back
007the restaurant project back to RMS. Carla's ability to plan crosscurricular activities is rivaled by few. She incorporates math concepts by ensuring students not only measure the recipes, but proper properly but also um like total their food costs. In addition, you can find students writing business plans so they are prepared for projects in detail and show full understanding. Carla's positive attitude is contagious contagious for cohorts and students alike. Students are inspired to work hard, do the job above and beyond, and feel a sense of enjoyment because Carla helps students believe in themselves. Even more incredible is Carla's willingness to take a lead role for the restaurant held in May of each year. She helps plan the menu, order the food, prepare the meals, clean up, puts timeless effort in, and she probably does who knows how
008many other things. So, pretty incredible. Um, she just puts a ton of time into making sure uh that our school, our students is represented in the best manner possible. Our miss is very thankful for this lady and all she does. And so congratulations and thank you. [clears throat] >> All right. So we have Gabby Pipla from Rendezvous Elementary. Um this is from the forms from her numerous nominations from both colleagues and parents and also from some of my observations. So um Mrs. Pipla is an exceptional educator who is always actively engaged with her students using a variety of instructional approaches one-on-one, small group and whole group to ensure every learner is supported. She has a remarkable ability to meet students where they are and help them grow in a positive, inclusive environment where all students
009feel valued and respected. She is kind, caring, and dedicated. She values strong communication with families and puts forth a genuine investment of time in their children's success. I've heard time and again that because of Mrs. Pipla, students not only make meaningful academic progress, but also develop a true love for coming to school. It is clear that she builds strong relationships and creates lasting positive experiences for both students and their families. And I've had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Pipla over the last nine years and I've watched her grow from um working with us as a paraprofessional to now being a first grade teacher. And I'm honored to present this to Gabby Pipa, the Ron David Elementary teacher of the year. Good evening. Shaylee CR was selected as the Willow Creek teacher of the year
010and I can speak to so many reasons why she was selected. But ultimately the strength of a teacher can be measured by the motivation and engagement of the students in the classroom. Their joy of being in the classroom with that particular teacher. the limited behavior incidents because the students understand the expectations and they have a connection with the teacher and with other students that is fostered by the classroom teacher also because of data that demonstrates academic growth and achievement. You can witness all of that in Shaylee's classroom and she collaborates with every single adult in our building helps everybody out. Willow Creek is fortunate to have Shaylee Crayons work at our building and we're proud that she was selected as the Willow Creek teacher of the year. [clears throat] Hello. I am honored to present
011Sierra Roberts as the Riverton High School teacher of the year and fellow Green River graduate. Um, I can tell you as a supervisor for Sierra, and I was just asking her the past 11 years, when I go into her room, I will go in and see something different every time I go in there. She's a dynamic teacher who finds different ways to present information to the students. The students are always engaged. Her labs are engaging. Her activities are engaging. The students are learning. I question her music choice when I go in there, but everything else is solid. Some things that were said. Sierra makes learning engaging and meaningful. Helps all students grow and succeed. Builds strong relationships with students. Creates a positive and inclusive classroom. Connects learning to real life for the community. Leads or
012supports others at the school. Speaks up for students or the profession. Represents the school positively. Some specifics. Sierra is a pro at helping her students perform at high levels of rigor. One example of this is when her students created their own mini labs and then they taught it to and completed with some of them with the elementary students. This teacher stands out because of her maturity in the classroom and with students, making real relationships with students and parents and being an example to her students and other teachers. Mrs. Roberts has always done an amazing job of building up to harder concepts and offering extra help. She's always been kind and engaged in every student's life. Chemistry is one of my favorite classes solely because of Miss Roberts. I'm honored to have Sierra Roberts as our
013RHS teacher of the year. I just want to take a moment and first of all, thank you principles for coming and writing words about each of your teachers of the year. I think that really speaks volumes. The other thing at this point is um I now want to take a moment to honor our district teacher of the year. This will be the person moving on. We put a committee together. I had each of them write a reflection which would be close to a platform. So if you are selected as Wyoming teacher of the year, you essentially have a platform that you go around the state to different functions where you'll speak and then also you get to travel around the country. So it's a great honor and it's a great opportunity. And so with that
014being said, I'd like to honor our district teacher of the year this year, and that is Shaylee Cray. I want to get some pictures. Actually, let's get some up here really quick if you guys don't mind. And then I'll get some. Sorry. >> I just want to get some of you guys really fast. Yeah. So, go ahead and stand up here. Sorry guys. I'm so proud of you. >> Okay, thank you guys. Seriously, ALL OF YOU. BEFORE YOU ALL RUN OUT of the room because I know you want to stay for our board meeting. It's super exciting. You know, we always talk about how great it is when our kids are here, but it's even better when our staff is here. We truly do have the best district. So, good job. Keep it up. And
015Shaylee, go kick butt at state. >> You got it. >> Kind of along those lines, I've uh noticed that the I don't know the common theme with public education is that the kids are getting left getting left behind, not getting the education that they deserve. It's not happening here. the staff is really involved and I think our kids are doing very well. So, thank you for doing what you do. >> Yes. Thank you very much. You are dismissed. [applause] >> Unless you want to stay. >> One one more minute. Oh, >> when I look out there and I see the the faces of the individuals and the faces of the principles, I've worked with many of you, but I've watched many of you grow up from being children and being in the classroom. And that's
016not lost on me. You know, when we talk about around the state about how we grow our own, you are an example of that and you make all of us proud every single day. Thank you. Thank you everyone. >> Now you're congrats everyone. >> No. >> Congratulations. [snorts] >> Christina, [clears throat] can you send me a picture so I can send it to my son who's working in Texas? Thank you. >> Okay, we'll give him just another minute. Mr. >> Thank you. >> Okay, you're up, Mr. McFerson. You going to follow that, Ed? >> Yeah. You got any good presents to [laughter] get >> that? No, that's fine. [laughter] >> Uh I'm here to give you guys a little uh update on our maintenance departments. Uh I'm sure you're all aware that we did get
017approved for our new Rhonda School uh on that. So, some timelines on that. Hold on here. I'm getting older. I need help. uh like we're going to we're trying to have our uh request for professional services out around the 20th of May. Have that back from them. The addendums identify our short list for our interviews on the uh 29th of June for the departments or the architects we would like to interview for that. Uh I think we're going to try to interview the short list on Looks like July 7th is when we'll be interviewing our three short lists for our architects. Um to have that in front of you guys for your uh July 15th board meeting for approval. Um anticipated kickoff meeting will be August 4th. our architect and them um final deliverable of
018their u completed plans of November 17th in 2027. then go out for bid around the 20th of uh January in 2028 with a substantial completion date of 718 of 2029 in anticipation of trying to have our school start there in school year 2930 in the new >> rendevous >> that is hard >> it's fast it's a kind of a tight a tight timeline but um I think it's doable uh Uh I do have some homework for the board. >> Good. >> The uh evaluating professional services that interview committee. I do believe they require us to have a board of trustee member on that. So you guys get a choose who you want for that. Uh of course some administration staff, Miss Ivon them. Uh SFD will have some on there uh from both their planning
019group and their construction group. uh resident of the school district uh whoever that may be. I believe that gets voted on by uh the administration, the board trustee, and and the rest of the group in there. So, that's where we're at with uh rendevous. Uh next big one we have is our uh gym floor bleacher and gym floor update. They're moving right along on that. They uh bleachers are all removed. They've started removing the floor uh today on there. I believe they are running a little ahead of schedule. I think the bleachers were weren't scheduled to be done till the 24th of this month. So, we're around a week ahead. Uh hopefully that carries through. Well, we'll see. Nobody's seen that concrete floor in 45 years. So, we'll get the floor up and see what
020we're up against there. Uh is the big one. the uh I believe it's on your docket for later. We're going to upgrade some and replace some uh makeup air units in the shop areas up at the career center this summer for the auto shop and welding shop uh to help with their ventilation and their heating system up there through the winter. They're getting pretty bad shade. Then we have uh various smaller projects going on this summer. We're going to repoint the uh break on this building should be getting done. We have uh various HVAC little projects going on, pumps, vents, stuff like that. Nothing real big on a lot of those. Uh we're going to be doing some window replacements down at Aspen on some of their windows that are getting in rough shape. Um
021the other thing we were working on is the uh Willow Creek playground with their parent group. I believe you guys approved the uh rec board donation a while ago. So, we've been working with them on some more funding sources to get all the way up there and trying to get some better cost estimates. We have a better idea of of what true cost is going to be on that. The playground company I've been talking with and dealing with to get some better numbers for us actually informed me the end of last week. They are part of the Northwest Boseis >> uh collective buying purchasing thing they have. So that may be an avenue for us on there. So I was kind of happy to find that find out about that uh take advantage of that.
022So uh maintenance department is fully staffed. Uh we're down one custodian uh districtwide. I believe we're doing interviews for them on Thursday. So staffing wise, we're in good shape. Uh we'll be adding our summer help here probably pretty soon. Uh we have people that can go full-time and then the students we hire, some of them will work after school. Uh talking with the irrigation district, they've already turned water into the ditches for us. So basically, they told us we might as well take what we can while we can. So they're not sure how long we're going to have water this year. We're starting off on a rotation and water restrictions right from the get-go with everybody. So, um, heads up, the grass may not be quite as green this year as we're used to seeing,
023but we'll do our best for you. >> Just paint it. >> Just Yeah, just paint. I'd love to just paint it on all that. >> When it starts looking >> Yeah. So, that's pretty much most of what's happening in the maintenance department. >> All right. exciting to see all the changes. >> Yes. >> Fun to see that cement floor. >> It's going to be interesting. It's the bleachers out of there. That is a huge space. >> I bet it is. >> I mean, you know, it's big, but when you're in there without the bleachers, that is a huge space in there. So, I'll uh try to take some more pictures. I have a few that with the bleachers out, but I'll try to take some more pictures of the progress of this as it goes
024along, and I'll get them to Jada and she can share them out with you guys. drones. >> Yeah, fly some drones in there. [laughter] >> Do that. I can talk to >> uh >> Justin over at Frontier and see if he's got a a student that is advanced that far. We can get him in there, maybe fly around a little. >> That'd be cool if we could put it on the YouTube and then I could sit from the lounge chair in my apartment and watch it. [laughter] >> I like the way you think. So, I'll get with Justin >> and see that. That's that's a good idea. See what we can do on that. >> Any questions, >> comments, concerns? >> Oh, thank >> I did have a parent ask me about the the bleachers
025if we're going to have any seating up at the top that have backs on them like the football stadium does or are they just going to be straight bleachers? >> They're going to be straight bleachers. They won't have any to backs on. >> [laughter] >> space. >> They'll be >> tough to do it with backs >> marginally minimally more comfortable than the current wood ones. Do have a little bit of a form to them, but there's no uh back seating. They will be meet all the ADA requirements >> and all that. We will lose think about 500 seats. Uh most that is due to the ADA requirements longer, but it'll have the cutouts for all that and everything you can push back for wheelchairs and the like. So, >> and I believe you guys have
026seen uh the renderings of the bleachers and what the floor like. >> Yeah, kind of excited about that. I think that'll be a nice looking for nice and simple and kind of classic looking at the same time. So, >> awesome. Good. Thank you. >> Thank you for all you do. >> Thanks, Ed, for everything. >> Thanks, Ed. >> Okay, we'll move on to board members. Let's start with you, Roy. Good evening. I just have one um quick notice to share with the boards. Um, as part of our requirements for Title Six or Native American Education Grants, we're required to hold an annual public hearing. So, we will have our annual public hearing on April 23rd, uh, which is a Monday at 6 p.m. It'll be here in this room. At the public hearing, we share
027data about Native American students um and achievements, educational data, and it's also an opportunity for any stakeholder to provide feedback about the district's Native American education program. Um >> 23rd 23rd. >> 23rd. >> So, yep. And then we use that feedback to shape our application um which is due um in the first part of May um May 8th, I believe. So, so yeah, you're all welcome to attend. Um, we do have some other parent committee meetings for title six u coming up that we invite parents to as well. So, we use that information in our application. Um, our second part of the application is open. We received our initial allocation for this upcoming year, which is $216,299 based off of a student count of 619 students. So, we're down just about $1,700 from last year,
028which was $218,000 was our allocation. So, we're pretty steady in that regard. >> Thank you. Hey, Christina, we're moving on to you. >> Thank you. I don't have anything tonight. >> Okay, Jody. >> Um, I just have a couple things. I um I attended the board chair training because I' I've just been doing those. I always glean a little bit from that. That's interesting to hear. I know that there, you know, there's a lot of things going on. They to that within the state with regards to recalibration and and all that and some of that was discussed. Um, we had our boat uh our Bose cheese uh new board and we had two new board members, Jared Kale from Lander and Janine Sers were sworn in at our meeting. So, from Duboce. So, there we
029have two new board members for that. Um they talked about the building they're building a an outreach building directly behind the high school there in Jackson for some of the the bois for the those that will be utilized and hopefully they'll get more interest in that area because of that. Um I also let me see I just want to thank all of our teachers for what they do for our kids every single day. Um, you know, like I said, I've I've had a little bit better bird's eye view just by doing some volunteer work and things like that. But it is really interesting to look out into the audience and see kids that you remember having in a classroom who are now one of the pictures that is one or two of the pictures that
030are up here are watching an individual grow up from the time they're preschool age or or infants and and know that we're giving back. So I am impressed by by all of that. And as far as the floor goes there at the high school, I was looking at some old pictures with my aunt, my aunt Betty. And um so my uncle forgetting construction, they did a lot of that part, a lot of that flooring and things in there. And I had there's a picture in that building of I think Brandon when he was like three walking across the floor with his grandfather and his dad. and we just were I was helping her go through some pictures and it's just odd that that was the picture that came up and when he talked about that
031boy I haven't seen that cement floor in a long time I thought I see I have a picture of the original or she has a picture of the original that was in there so I appreciate all the hard work that's going into that and I know that it's it's tough not to have our to be going through this and not have our gym right now and that there's a lot of questions because of that but that for me that's it and go Wolverines are playing in Evston for soccer this evening. So hopefully they're going to come home with a win. >> Yeah. >> Mr. Canrell, >> I'm excited about some of the new information coming out from the national level. Want to congratulate Desi Enman, fifth grader at Aspen. >> She won the national hoop
032contest. >> So she gets to go to nationals for the hoop for the >> Did you watch that when they they had it live streamed? I watched her win that. It was really cool. Yeah, >> I didn't get to watch it. Uh, I went on the job core tour. That was really interesting. A lot more comprehensive this time. They had each of the of the different teachers give us a a rundown of what they were doing. They had the students there give talks so that and it was about two hours. >> So, it was it was very comprehensive. >> And uh little little recap on the rec board. we had uh one of our grants uh readjust and gave us back 75,000 to use for other grants. So that helped >> because we were pretty
033short this year. >> And uh I guess that's it. Thank you, >> Lori. You know, I feel like these two have discussed a lot of the things that I well some of the things I didn't know about but I was very excited about. It's just it's so awesome to look out here and see some of the folks that my my grandkids have had as teachers and I hear them come home and talk about how excited they are for certain things and some of the kindness awards that they're doing and uh it just you know my little my little Brody that is just a just turned eight and talking about his teachers and how excited he is about education and and so I I just think it's wonderful to honor those people and see um just
034make sure they know how much we appreciate them because they do a great job and they make a difference in the lives of kids. So, and other than that, you know, I I went to a I'm not sure if it was since the last time the Willow Creek music celebration. >> Yeah, I think it was. >> Yeah, it's been a long time since we've been here. So, >> it feels so good. >> Anyway, uh went to that and other than that, I don't really have anything else. So, >> okay, let's go over here. Jada, you have anything? >> Just note that your um Boys and Girls Club breakfast tickets are in front of you. So, Carl, if you wanted one, let me know and I'll give you one. Um and that's next Wednesday, 6:30 in
035the morning. Thanks. >> Yeah, I just wanted to explain the um information item, the insurance changes. Um there's a lot going on this year. Um so what I'll I'll talk about first is the the insurance outside of health insurance and then I'll get in. You guys have heard probably a lot of rumblings about the health insurance uh situation that we're in right now. So I'll explain that after these. Um but we do have some options that we um are excited about that that webbed came up for our classified staff. Um so first the the first section is the plans to be dis discontinued that it was not our choice. Um Unum reached out to us and said they were they will no longer accept or let us sign employees up for the cancer and critical
036illness and the whole life and that was just the employee paid. It was nothing that we we paid for them. We would just take deductions out of the paycheck and we pay it for them. Um we were told that they could still reach out to that company and do it separately. they just can't be with us. And um the the wept insurance, this is just the additional vision insurance. We are the only school district that wept allowed to do this in the past and they've kind of been telling us for the last couple years that it was it was about to not be available and this is the year that they said that they can't do that anymore because we were throwing off their numbers. Um, so the vision will still be included in their
037other insurance like isn't an option, but this was just the additional that that we would pay for them. Um, so that is going to save us around $3,000 that we paid for employees for that. Um, the other stuff that when we're looking at all this other other insurance that I wanted to simplify was we had employer paid mutual of Omaha basic life. Then we had employer paid AD and D New York Life. Both of those were $10,000 policy plans. We had them through different companies. Um, with insurance changes going through the state, I I wanted to combine them and consolidate them and put them under one umbrella and which would be WEFT. And so if we did that, we would actually save $4,000 if we kept the $10,000 AD and D and life. My idea
038was uh for eventually us to offer more than the 10,000 potentially like a 20,000 or 30,000. If we did have to go to the state plan in the future, they do a 50,000. So if we decided to do the 20,000, it would just cost us another 3,400 a year and we'd be offering that to our employees. My idea was kind of maybe do the $10,000 this year for the AD Indian life and then once we kind of see what's gonna happening trying to get that for our staff because $10,000 for life in AD and just doesn't cover much anymore. So I wanted to look at that in the future of of increasing that um for our staff. Um so if we change companies to do this, this is kind of what happens. So Plan Source
039is this intermediary that kind of manages these other companies for us. we'd get rid of plan source so we'd just be able to just deal with wept. We did have some u difficulties with plan source about the reconciliation between these other companies. These other companies were were hard to get to or their bills weren't uh detailed enough for us to see that. So we would be simplifying our process. Um we would be removing the employee paid mutual of Omaha life insurance as well. Again this is not something we have the district paid. we would just offer this for employees and then take deductions for them and then pay it for them. This is the only thing of those that we'd be changing where if the employees got this separately where there would be a pretty
040significant increase. Other than that, all the other plans were pretty like pretty similar to the the rates that we offer. Um we would be removing the voluntary from AD and D as well. Um, and that would be directly build to the employee. And then there was one more thing that we offered that was voluntary again that we would let employees sign up for. We take the the deduction out of their paycheck and pay it for them was the American Fidelity. And we only had one more one employee that was on that. So, we were doing all this for one employee and that was a central office employee. We talked to her about it and she's completely fine because she was the only one um that had this and she reached out to to the company
041we did and she could just sign up separately and at the same rate. Um so a lot of this we're just trying to simplify the process because to be honest when teachers would ask me hey what are what do you guys offer it was so kind of uh convoluted and have all these different options I it was even hard for me. So my idea was to try to simplify the process but then eventually increase the life and the AD and D to where it was actually meaningful if they did happen or if they uh were in that situation. Um, so that was on that. And then on the health insurance, you guys have probably heard the rumblings about that is um, so wept, we we communicated with wept that we were concerned with the health
042insurance with what we're mandated to pay for the health insurance. What we be what we're being reimbured from the state is that our classified staff wouldn't be able to afford it anymore because they weren't getting the increases that the certified staff are. And we weren't the only school district to communicate this to Webb. So they are offering a $4,000 uh deductible option plan that is cheaper. They actually are matching the state's rates. So it's actually is very more affordable, I should say, than what the increase was going to be. The increase, for example, on like a family plan was going to be about like $400 increase that they were going to have to pay. Um, so offering that $4,000 deductible is is going to help them. What we can also do is if you guys
043remember that we have the $1,500, the 25, and the $3,500 plan that that we can have, those would still be available to classified and there would be available to certified. Certified can't do the 4,000, but they can do that. What we're also we're actually doing a survey to staff right now is seeing if they want to keep the 15, 25, and 3500 or do they want to replace one of those with the $5,000 because it is cheaper. The $5,000 is just a a traditional high deduct high deductible because right now I felt like I didn't have time to uh research a HSA company that was going to be eligible for that in this time frame. That is something I do want to look into and offer this next year because as you guys can imagine
044um I I think we should go out to bid this next year and really see our deal between Wept and uh Wisbait and the state plan and just and just really maybe get a committee maybe a couple of you guys are on there that get a committee from the whole school district and really decide what's the best option but this is kind of the best we could do uh given the time frame we have. So, are those high deduct higher deductible plans, even if we don't offer the HSA, are they HSA compliant, so they could go to a local bank and do an HSA? >> That is unclear right now. I've had a lot of questions on that and I can call some uh HSA companies. We do have a couple employees that are or
045try to find that information out. Um, but we does not consider them an HSA, but the thing is if they if they did reach out to us, we just wouldn't be able to still pay it for them, >> right? But you can do an HSA account at Central Bank and Trust or one of the local banks. Most of the banks offer those. >> Yeah. And they and I could call one of those banks tomorrow. That's a good idea. I could call them and ask if they would. >> It just wouldn't be ran through us. >> Yeah. >> For for now. >> As long as they could still do it because that would benefit. >> Yeah. And that the high deductible 5,000 it was a little bit more. It wasn't a lot more expensive, but it
046was a little bit more expensive if we did it. So, that's a good idea. I can uh call on the banks tomorrow and just see if they would be able to. >> Usually, there's also a co-ay for the HSA offering that you can't have co-pays for doctor's office visits or prescriptions. Yeah, it's not allowable. So, >> they're they're probably going to want the details of our plans and so I can >> I just was curious if employees could could do that even on their own if as long as they as long as the plan was eligible. >> So, yeah. >> Thank you. everything >> and that's all I had. Y >> Okay, Carl. >> Let's see. I've been going to a lot of uh middle school uh sport events. I've seen a couple vol or
047soccer games and I saw the end of the uh club volleyball. And I also have been watching a lot of track in the last Mhm. >> 10 days. And I went to the uh I think it was last Friday in the middle school track and I think there was close 900 plus kids there. >> 900 kids. >> A lot of kids. >> That's a lot of kids. I was hoping to see my grandson run, but uh it was about 130 and I'd already watched eight flights of girls 100s and there were still 40 plus in the waiting, you know, and it takes two minutes per I'm going to be here till, you know, I have to go to work, so >> I'm not going to watch uh my grandson. So, I mean, that's an amazing
048uh track meet for middle school kids and the Lander duel today. So, I've been my face is fairly red from all the sun I've been getting. Um, other than that, you know, it's it's great to have our principles introduce their uh teachers of the year and how great it is to honor those teachers. >> Yes. Uh you know we need to do more >> in bringing the reputation of educators above they what they are thought of now. It's an important and worthwhile career uh that seems undervalued by our public and I know a lot of parents, you know, think a great deal about their teachers and but a great deal of them it's just a flat it's something that has to be done and it's it's it's being done but they don't think about all
049the things that a teacher and a classroom and a safe building give to our kids. And I think I think it's something that uh we always have to work on getting that kind of awareness to our public. uh it's it's it's a worthwhile endeavor for any student to aspire to for a career. And uh you know I think that somehow we're we're working towards getting kids to be plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. But we can't forget education and teachers. When I was a kid, there was FTA. FTA, wasn't it? Let's see. future teachers of America FDF >> and it was a a good club and there was there was quite a few kids that uh attended. >> You know, we you know, we don't think of it as something that we should promote >> inside the
050district building teachers from our students. >> So, uh just that's my 10 cents worth and thank you for >> Okay, Carl Bruce. and uh listening to the administrators talking about the teachers of the year. I had to think about the the administrators are picking good teachers and you know all of you guys are picking good people to be the our teachers and that shows in the people that we get and the ones that stay here and teach our kids and thank you all of you for that. Leadership's really important with that. >> If you don't start out with good stock, you don't end up with [laughter] >> prize winners. >> Yeah, >> well, I am going to add a little bit more to what everyone else has said and I don't need to beat a
051dead horse. So, um, the one thing I would like to do is speaking of horses, congratulate the Riverton High School horse judging team from FFA. They are the state champions. That is amazing. >> And [applause] we ended up with two state officers. >> Yes, we did. >> Tosha um Kenyon is our state treasurer for um Wyoming FFA and Danny Santi is the state secretary. So, it's awesome to have two >> Riverton High School students as state officers. Um and isn't Miss Kenyon also F CCLA or is that her sister? >> No, it's it's her sister. >> But I mean, they're pretty. I'm like, wow. I don't know how she's going to handle that. >> But that's awesome that um they're doing so well. >> They're keeping it in the family. >> And um and Bruce
052is right with um choosing good staff members. Um our administrators and teams are doing a good job there, but they have to also be mentored. It doesn't You can have great staff to start with, great people, but if you don't give them good mentorship and good leadership, they can become a little lost. So, good job to our administrators for that. >> Jody. Okay. So, I have a few things for you this evening. um Lifewise Academy, which if you would like to look at this to see what they do, um has approached us um based on the um Supreme Court ruling that was set years and years ago about released time. And so they would like to pilot a release time program at Aspen Elementary School. um we are obligated to allow them to do that
053if it meets all of the qualifications of what release time is. And so um they need to happen off of school property, be privately funded, have parent permission, and not interfere with the regular school days. So um this this group has done that and so they will be working with Blaze Sand next year to possibly um try this. our obligation for that is to give the kids an excused absence. So, they're still absent. Um, but it doesn't count against their attendance. So, I just wanted to let you know just in case somebody from this reached out to you or somebody in the community mentioned it to you, you would know that they have um approached us and we are talking about um allowing that to happen at to start with at Aspen Elementary. Then um
054some good news along the lines of more of our um becoming efficient and effective with our operations. We now have a fingerprint machine and our new staff no longer have to go to the sheriff's office, get a money order, come back, get reimbursed, then we lose their fingerprints or their fingerprints weren't [laughter] good enough. We now have a machine where they put their little fingerprints on it. we take a copy, it goes straight to DCI. So, um I think Kate and Lindy worked worked on that primarily. I'm not 100% sure who all was involved. All I know is that's going to be a much better process for all of our new staff and anybody that needs to get fingerprinted here at our office. So, um whoever figured out that that was a idea and that
055it could happen, um we're pretty excited about it. So, um lot of talk still about recalibration. We've had several meetings. Um, we've shared a lot of information. I've sent to you the information that I shared with staff. Um, April 6th, I've shared some other information with you about the insurance and whatnot that's come out. Uh, WDE is meeting with the AG. Um, and I believe to today and tomorrow. And so they are planning to have some answers on Thursday that they'll create a memo. They're also going to be sharing it at a um at the superintendent meeting that'll be happening in Casper. I won't be attending that, but they will be uh sending out a memo on that. I'm pretty sure that we're in line with most of the answers. There's a couple of things
056that we're excited to learn um more about, but we'll find that out on Thursday. Because of that, what we are hoping to do is be able to re recommend our wage scales to you at the next meeting. Um, I think there's so much up in the air with the with the insurance and all of those things. We'll also hopefully have our survey results back and know which plans we're going to go with for insurance and then we'll have open enrollment in May for our staff and they'll be able to switch plans and feel a little bit better that their paychecks aren't going to be reduced by a significant amount. And that's for our certified staff as well. um regardless of how large their raise is, still having half of that raise go to insurance um
057seems rather pointless. So, we're we're working really hard um to make sure that we're doing the best we can for our staff. So, next staff meeting hopefully, not staff meeting, next board meeting hopefully we'll have a a formal recommendation um for you all. And uh last but not least, I met with WI WBI today. Um they did send us a partnership agreement and I sent them a counter agreement. It's looking pretty promising that we might be able to um do that partnership of a day school next year at Jackson School. And um when they come back to me, of course, I will share that partnership agreement out with you and explain um how it the benefits and the drawbacks for the district in doing in doing that work. and then um we can decide that
058you as a board can decide if you want to move forward with that for next year. We have done some intensive outpatient uh work with them. We just started it. It's been uh difficult to get it going, but it's a brand new pilot program and so we're going to have to work out the different um what's the word I'm looking for? Parts and pieces. Thank you. We're going to have to work out the the parts and pieces to it because there's, you know, there's some things that aren't quite going right with it with six or seven different students in a a Zoom meeting. But we met with them today about that and it was very promising. Our counselors from the high school and um middle school were present and talked through the things that aren't
059going well and the things that are so that we could fix the process. So really looking forward to more information on that. And that's all I have tonight unless you have any questions for me. >> Nope. Just thank you guys for all of your hard work. Colton, thank you for all that you've done. I know that, you know, it's that doesn't just happen magically and so I appreciate all your information. >> Anything else? Okay. And I don't have anything this evening. Um, at this time, this is one opportunity for public comment or to address the board of trustees regarding action items on the agenda. We have anybody out there that wants to visit, tell us, ask questions. Nope. Okay, we're moving on then. Okay, we're now to public forum calendars, RHS and K through 8
060and Frontier. So this is just a second opportunity if anybody in the community wanted to come and talk to us about the calendar. Doesn't doesn't appear that we have anybody unless you're here for the calendar >> have anything you want to >> No. Okay. >> Anybody in the way back technology? >> So um do you have any further questions after having more opportunity to look at it or is anybody come to you with concerns regarding the different >> Nothing. Okay. So, um, we will have then on the calendar tonight a motion for you to accept the calendars as presented. Okay. Okay. We're going on to Does anybody have anything they want to discuss about that or anything? Okay. We'll go on to action items. Consider an administrative recommendation to adopt the district calendars. Madame Chair,
061I would move to adopt the 2026 2027 and the 2027 2028 calendars for K through 8 9 through 12 and Frontier Frontier Academy as presented. >> Second. >> Any questions or comments? All those in favor? >> I. Anybody opposed? Okay, moving on. consider an administrative recommendation to approve the aquatic center proposed fee adjustment. >> Madame Chair, I would move that we approve the proposed fee adjustments for the Riverton Aquatic Center as presented effective July 1st, 2026. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion or questions? >> I haven't used the pools since we started charging in 1991. as that I went into the pool after they we raised it or we started charging uh and almost got in a fight. >> Oh jeez. >> Or be attacked. Yes. Uh two times. So be aware that when
062you invest with the pool, it is be and this is a big adjustment and needs to be well advertised >> and communicated with our >> because should have been free all these years >> according to a lot of people that >> well nothing's free and I think these costs the the current and then the proposed new ones are not that bad >> promised >> right >> well and I know that they they have the fee structure would require that the district staff, you know, pay admission to the pool. I've been doing that for >> just like you >> well, forever. And I and I use the pool and on on a on a regular basis and and to me this is well affordable. I mean, it's less than a cup of coffee. So, a fruit
063coffee. So, >> I voted for it then. I'll vote for it again. >> So, I think they're fair. There's a lot of comments >> that it is a volatile conversation. >> Oh, sure. In our communication, we probably need to let them know why. >> Right. >> Exactly. Because it was not arguing. >> No, it's either that. Right. Exactly. Give them the the skinny. >> I know. We got to go back on our word >> from nothing anymore. [laughter] >> That went out the window. >> Yeah. >> Question. >> Okay. All those in favor? I >> I >> Anybody opposed? >> Okay, moving on. Consider an administrative recommendation to accept a grant. Madame Chair, I would move to accept the WDE Comprehensive Literacy State Development CLSD grant allocation in the amount of $2,581,65122 which is equally
064distributed over five years in the yearly amount of $516,33024. >> Any questions? Second. >> Oh, sorry. Any questions, comments? What exactly are we buying with this fight? >> Thanks for asking. Um, so what it is is that uh we applied for this grant when we saw that there was some literacy legislation coming through and um with that legislation there was not any support in terms of um >> money. Exactly. And so uh they a lot of districts applied. They picked eight districts from around the state. We were one of those. What they have done is they've gone out and gotten vendors. So they did that part of it for us which can be kind of daunting. Um they had uh proposals from everywhere obviously because they didn't see it as an opportunity to make money
065and so they had like 125 page proposals and they had an outside entity and some of them go through those proposals. They picked some of the vendors which uh several of them are ones we already currently use. So what'll happen is we won't have to pay for those vendors. This grant would cover that >> um for it. Uh the other piece of it is we are getting some additional training for our literacy coaches and principles and then uh we have two conferences right away that are coming up that's paid for through this grant. And then we we'll use those remaining funds to continue to um increase our expertise in literacy. Our teachers at the elementary have currently gotten letters training which is very intensive year. Actually, it's two years that they go through. Um, but
066it's extremely beneficial. Our teachers will tell you it's some of the best training they've ever had. And we want to continue to expand that literacy training. IMS, which is Orton Gillingham, which is at the higher levels. It's really about Latin and root words and morphology, all that type of stuff. And so we're going to continue to get that and um grow our expertise is our plan and this will help us >> what >> all the above Carl for you. I'll find out. >> I'm I'm thinking that Geraldine Rossberg would be very proud. [laughter] >> So this is basically buying curriculum and training for our teachers. >> It is um it's not going to replace I've been working with them. It's I don't want to replace and add more. That has been um Jody and I
067have talked a lot and so I'm working with them to make sure that it's not going to be necessary more that we're going to have to learn in terms of changing what we currently do of our current curriculum, but rather how can we enhance our teaching practices? How can we ensure that we're not having kids fall through the cracks? And if they do and they're up in those upper levels, a lot of times when you're an ELA teacher and the higher levels, you don't necessarily get those basic phonics skills. Like if a kid comes to you and doesn't read as a ELA teacher, that wasn't something you got through your program. By getting something like this, we can help support those teachers so that when they have a student that comes to them, it's not
068like, oh, I don't know what to do with this child. It's how can we help and support this child and what can we do to fill those gaps and those skills. And a lot of times we find if you can do that you'll catch kids up fairly quickly and they will start to get up to grade level and understand tier one. So >> so basic just the additional tools. >> It is it's additional tools for us and the nice part is it gives us five years which I always say to make great change. It's that three to five year and so that'll give us opportunity to report back and see how are we doing um in those next couple years to see if we're making those gains and then if we're not what do we
069need to do differently. It's really about just monitoring those programs and ensuring that we're getting what we want out of them and that our kids are seeing it. So the sort of spokesperson for the literacy movement this last teacher I believe who had a student at 18 or 17 senior who still couldn't read and that's the story that was to me that's an identification So the crack seems fairly large and the way that it was presented legislature. >> Uh that is what I think that we should in person is how do these kids get through that crack? Identifying kids before they become 18 years old and still cannot read. I mean, how does that happen? And I know it does. I I don't know if it happens in our district at the moment, but I
070do know that it happens. And so, how do we best do that? And I'm not asking you to answer that question. >> Yeah. Well, I I will say that I have felt like our district truly I know that they put this into legislation, but I think Jody and I can both speak to the fact that we've already done a lot of the things that this grant is going to be asking. It's just giving us the funds that we don't have to no we no longer have to allocate. So, we actually do give our kids a um we call it fast bridge testing, but it does recognize kids that are falling below that 30th percentile, which is the ones that aren't meeting, they're not going to gain um in order to be proficient. And so, we
071already have all that actually in place. This is just I see it as a opportunity to to continue to support new teachers, people that we have coming in that maybe don't have those skills and that we can continue to do that. But this has not been lost on our district. It's something that we do uh K12 all the way through. We monitor our kids. We do a initial testing in the fall. Kids that fall, ours we've actually put at a 40th percentile just because we want we felt like that was our threshold that made the most sense. And then we have plans in place already for those students. So, it's not something that um we haven't currently been working on. I will tell you right now, we have a couple kids at the middle school
072that have been struggling readers that were identified. I have um a coach that actually goes up there and works directly with those kids one-on-one and has seen significant gains. That is something that we've been working on and I've been working with my coaches to say, not only are you coaching teachers, but you're going to work with some of our most difficult students because they have the expertise and the training. And so, one of the things that I'm really working on them next year to continue to do is they do certain tracking for me. Teachers they work with, they track that information to show growth. They're also going to be uh continuing to track student. So they're working with our lowest kids and they're going to show growth and we'll be having conversations around that. So
073that's something that we're continuing to refine and but it is something we have been doing and I'm never going to say that there isn't a kid that doesn't fall through the cracks. Please know that does happen. But I'll tell you our district has done a really good job of putting things in place and ensuring that we can, you know, support our kids as much as possible. So >> yeah, you know, it's just one of those things that one student it's it's a miscommunication in a lot of ways because most all of our students I I talk about in the state are filtered. They they all most of our teachers realize that they know that their students. >> Yeah. So, to kind of piggyback on what you're saying, uh it just there was just such a
074major lift from the legislature this year to do the literacy piece. I wonder why do you know why they only allocated this money to eight districts? I I mean I think with anything it's they only get so much funding and then I think they were trying to find a way to say hey if if we're going to and what they did is it was a it was a different grant than I've ever uh filled out because it was very narrative based really telling your story of what your district looks like. A lot of times grants are not narrative based. You have to start picking vendors and saying we're going to do this. This is how much money it's going to cost. This is how we're going to implement it. This is how we're going to
075monitor it. This was very narrative-based and I will tell you that we have um schools within our district that are identified because they didn't meet certain measures of accountability. And so I think those for sure those districts got more priority >> than other districts. And so part of you know department of ed is to to support those districts and they have to show yeah they have to show that they are supporting and so it gave us an opportunity to apply and then also look at well what can we continue to do and refine to make sure that we're giving the best to our our students and our teachers. So that that would be that would be why >> they had a they had an amount and then they then they then what they ended up
076doing was um based on the application process that's how those eight districts were chosen. >> Yes. >> And I'm just wondering with the level of knowledge we have in our district that we're doing a great job that you I wonder if we could reach out to some other schools that might be struggling and you would invite them to some trainings that we're I don't know if we're putting on things here >> that >> just some of those as well. >> Yeah. And I and I need to find more information about the grant. It came really quickly. Very It came out really fast. And so I've been asking them questions because there's just things in there that we've gotten that I I need better understanding on because like I said, we just did the application. They
077came and did a kickoff with us that was very quick. But all of the nuances of the grant I haven't got into yet and they haven't really given me. So I think as I get more of what can we share, what is you know what what is that? allowed because they do have really strict rules in there. I just don't I haven't got to flesh those out because I haven't seen it yet. Um and I think it's because they got it and then suddenly they had to get this money spent on literacy. So it was very quick turnaround. I think we submitted the grant in February and it was back to us in like four weeks. >> I mean it was it was quick. >> Um we knew by March uh middle of March um
078of when we had it. So just to give you an idea of how quick that turnaround was. We've we've had a little bit longer than that, but it's been like we knew it was coming and we I mean, we didn't know if we were going to receive it, but it was a very quick turnaround. >> Thank you for that because it's it's just not only is it a it's great for the financial resources of the district, but also from the resources that we'll be able to move literacy ahead even more. >> That that's my hope. So, yeah. So, thank you so much. >> So, what classifies as I mean is that include I understand that it includes reading and But does it include speech and debate, drama, >> music? >> So when they when they're
079looking at it, they have actually put teachers where they mark what teachers need certain amount of training based on how much literacy comes into their content. So for instance, they they have like teacher one, teacher two, teacher three, and then based on that is how many uh literacy hours you need to obtain uh professional development. And so what tends to happen is your ELA, your big contents like you pointed out, are going to get additional hours. I want to say they have to have 28 hours if I remember in three years, uh, which you can get pretty quickly in the type of literacy training that we ask of our, um, staff. But then your PE, your CTE may only have three and a half hours. But the nice part is they'll get some science of
080reading, which is really about recognizing maybe students in their class that need that extra push and and where avenues they can go to to help get those kids support if maybe they weren't identified for some reason. So it really is anything that's speaking, listening, >> reading, writing, >> things that we can spend this money on. >> Yes. Yeah. Is a lot of it aimed at secondary? >> It it is it is a K12 initiative. Um I will tell you that for the most part most districts will tell you our initial one that came through the legislation was K3. So that was a a focus because that as you know kids are just getting into the reading and and the literacy. And then with the legislation now it's K12. And while we have had things in
081place, we are now able to expand that and continue to say what do we need to grow at the secondary level to continue that pathway for our kids. >> Any other questions or comments? >> Thank you. >> No, thank you. I appreciate it. >> It's good conversation. >> Okay, I need a vote. >> All in favor? >> All the Oh, sorry. All those in favor. [laughter] >> I >> Sorry, I'm a little tired. >> It's okay. Okay, that was that was a long conversation, you guys. So, okay. Consider an administrative recommendation to declare items as surplus. Madame Chair, I would move that um we declare the Riverton High School bleacher, wood, and the gym floor sections um available to the public for a fee and a bid process for the designated pieces of the floor
082during a specified time at a specified location instead of at auction. >> Second. >> Any questions, discussions? >> What does that mean? [laughter] >> Still off. Okay. So, >> yeah, I'm glad that we're going to have some clarification. So, >> just do that. >> Um, [laughter] >> so we're going to um come up with a process for our community to purchase the wood if they would like to purchase the wood um at a fee >> like it's going to be >> right. And our so much money per feet or something. >> Exactly. >> Okay. Additionally, we have a couple of sections of the floor that we're having cut out um to be that people might want as momentos. And so those we'll take pictures of and then we'll have an auction type for those. Some
083kind of like a eBay style. We haven't fully wrapped our minds around that. But to clarify then anything that is not purchased by our community actually will go on the site >> the public surplus site to be sold in in bundles. So actually um if you if you search it's uh the wood is valuable >> um and and can be used for some projects that can turn a profit for people. And so, um, it will be important. >> Yeah, it will be important for us. Um, as well as we've had several calls asking, >> um, what are you doing with the wood? Can we access the wood? Who gets, you know, what are you doing? And >> so now we have a plan for the wood. >> Thank you for that. >> Yes. >> Anything
084else? >> All those in favor? >> I I >> Anybody opposed? Consider an administrative recommendation to award a bid. >> Madame chair, I would move to award the bid for the career center makeup air units remove and replace project to Sweetwater Air of Lander, Wyoming in the base amount of $99,875. Second. >> Any questions or comments? All those in favor? I. >> Anybody opposed? >> Okay, moving on. Consider an administrative recommendation to accept a resignation. [snorts] We received a letter of recognition from Oh, sorry. >> Madam Chair, I would move that the board accept the resignation of Riverton High School Principal Thomas Jasmine effective June 12th, 2026. >> Second. >> Any discussion or comment? [laughter] All those in favor? I >> I >> consider administrative recommendation to accept resignations. >> Madame Chair, I would move
085to accept the resignation of Jesslyn Meeks as the Riverton High School assistant girls basketball coach effective March 20th, 2026. Joy Pettit as a Riverton High School business teacher effective May 22nd, 2026. Blaze Sand as a Riverton Middle School head seventh grade girls basketball coach effective March 26th, 2026. >> Second. >> Any discussion, comments? All those in favor? >> Anybody opposed? Okay, we have a con cons we have considered an administrative recommendation to offer contracts. Madame Chair, I would move that the board offer a contract to Heather Wyn as an Aspen Elementary school teacher, Taylor Ray Cougler as an Aspen Elementary School teacher, Shannon Kuth as a Willow Creek Elementary computer science library teacher, Cassandra Brainer as an Aspen Elementary School sped case manager, Jordan Christensen as a Riverton High School head volleyball coach, Taylor Bascu
086as Riverton High School counselor, Rachel Rap as a Riverton High School business teacher. teacher and Jana Nicholson as a Riverton or Rendev Elementary School teacher. All effective for the 2026 2027 school year. >> Any discussion, questions, comments? >> Okay. All those in favor? >> I. >> Anybody opposed? Okay. We're moving on to information item. Save the date. Key Club officer installation and graduation ceremony is Thursday, April 16th at 6:30 p.m. at the RHS media center. Reminder, the Boys and Girls Club 6th annual awards and recognition breakfast on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026. Breakfast is served at 6:30 a.m. Program begins at 7 a.m. at the Fremont Center in Riverton. Uh board members, be sure you get your tickets. Save the date. RMS 8th grade restaurant Tuesday, May 12th at 4:30. Please let Jada know if you're
087going to attend. Re revised policy 3,400 data policy and security. Job description homebound and district placement special education teacher notifications of 10day drop students. see your executive content. As per Wyoming statute, state statute 2113103, this is a notification to the board of trustees trustees that warrants attached are being listed as unclaimed property due to these items being outstanding on district checking accounts. There have been several documents documented attempts to resolve these unclaimed items. The attached list will be advertised in the Riverton Ranger. Certified staff changes, transfers of Allison Macintosh to an Aspen Elementary instructional coach. Reva Labot >> Labotis to an Aspen Elementary computer science library teacher. Kristen Spradlin to a Rendezvous elementary computer science lab library teacher. All effective for the 2026 2027 school year. Classified staff changes transfers. Jeremy Jeremy Anderson to a
088rendevous elementary custodian. Jacob Baltazar no >> Baltar. >> Baltigar to a Riverton Middle School custodian. Retirements transportation bus aid. Carol Richardson effective May 22nd, 2026. Gwendelyn Sards as a food service lead cook effective May 26 26 2026 resignations Rendezvah Mia Woody effect effective date effective March 25th 2026 new hires Parker Longine as a Riverton Middle School parah no district floater custodian sorry I missed that line Jason Williver as a district floater custodian Joy Pettit as a RMS parah for the 2020 26 2027 school year. Jada, how's our enrollment? >> Nice job. >> That was a lot. >> Okay, thank you. Um, we have an an addendum to insurance changes. >> We did. >> Oh, okay. >> Okay. Well, executive personnel or executive session for personnel. >> Madame chair, I would move that We move to
089executive session. Those in favor All right.