Paraprofessionals, coaches hired

WORLAND – Five special education paraprofessionals and several coaches were approved at the Washakie County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees meeting on Monday night.

Superintendent David Nicholas said the hires were necessary because of student needs, and the board approved five special education paraprofessionals and one swim paraprofessional.

Angela Leone was hired as the part-time special education paraprofessional at West Side Elementary, Diane David was hired as full-time special education paraprofessional at South Side Elementary, Jennifer Taylor was hired as the part-time special education paraprofessional at South Side Elementary, Perla Martinez was hired as the part-time special education paraprofessional at South Side Elementary and Sonja Johnson was hired as the part-time special education paraprofessional at Worland High School.

Melanie McDonald was hired as a part-time swim paraprofessional.

Also on the agenda were several coaching positions at the middle school. The board approved Candace Whitlock as the assistant swim coach at Worland Middle School, Rob Woofiden as the assistant seventh grade boys basketball coach and the assistant wrestling coach and Coulston Rich as the eighth grade boys basketball coach. Board member Duane Whitlock abstained from voting for Candace Whitlock.

Other business included further discussed on the districtwide budget committee Chairman Don Bryant brought up with the board at a previous meeting.

While no official action was taken, Nicholas said the committee would start with monthly meetings in October. Nicholas said the goal is to get consensus in the group and give recommendations to the board of trustees for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

The committee involves representatives from all sectors of the district including administration, teachers, principals, the ERC (Education Resource Center), classified staff and a representative from the WEA. It would have up to 20 members.

—The board also approved a band assistant stipend for Chad Rose up to $2,730.

—Worland High School Principal Kevin Smith gave updates on the rodeo sports club brought up by students last month. He said while the group is not a sponsored club they now have exemptions for absences for Wyoming High School Rodeo Association events.

— Several students were awarded for displaying good sportsmanship at the Washakie County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees on Monday night.

The Worland High School volleyball team, Worland High School swimmer Ellyse Russell and Worland High School football player Josh Garza were given the Wyoming High School Association Sportsmanship Award.

Board members David Tommerup and Julie Haun were absent.