Stott reflects on over 25 years with school district

WORLAND – Jack Stott will be retiring this month as business manager for Washakie County School District No. 1 (WCSD) and he took a moment to look back at some of his accomplishments and memories over his more than a quarter century of work with the district.

DISTRICT PROJECTS

Stott's first big project that was introduced was the building of Worland Middle School which began in 1997, just two years after he took over the position.

"We finally moved in, in January 2005, so it was a seven-year project for the middle school," Stott said.

He said that this was in a transition period of funding by the state with school facilities. Stott said they needed to go through two capital construction committees as well as partner with the Joint Appropriations Committee before funding for the school was received.

"It seemed like the year or so before we finally received funding for that it seemed like I was down in Cheyenne a lot," Stott said jokingly.

Stott said that over his time as business manager that there has been approximately $46 million spent on school facilities over the years with around 3/4ths of that funding coming through the state and a quarter of it coming from local taxpayer dollars.

He said that over the years they have been able to complete upgrades at the middle school, Worland High School as well as the three elementary schools to the point where the district is on the preventative side of maintenance rather than repair-as-broken position.

However, with all of these large projects that have taken place over the years, they are not the one he is the proudest of getting achieved.

Stott said that the project he is most proud of over the years is being able to get grass placed in and grown at all of the elementary schools, especially when he was informed multiple times that grass could not be grown at those facilities.

"When I first moved to town one of the most curious things that I found was that the elementary schools did not have any grass on them," Stott said. "When the state first cut loose with the money Bob Michaels (maintenance supervisor at the time) and I started working on that, got a sprinkler system installed, planted grass and now we have beautiful grassy playgrounds."

Stott said even though that project was small in scope and size, it remains his favorite because of what it did for the elementary children in the district.

"We are certainly grateful for all the funding from the state, but all of our buildings right now are in better shape than they were 25 years ago," Stott said.

BALANCING BUDGETS

When Stott first started his role as business manager, the funding from the state was tight but was changed shortly after to benefit school districts all around the state.

"In those first couple of years we were concerned about RIFfing (Reduction in Force) teachers every year," Stott said.

He said that they did have to let go of some teachers, but they were able to get their jobs back. Being able to balance a budget while attempting to maintain the staffing in the district has remained one of the tougher situations Stott has had to deal with over the years.

After dealing with tough funding and then receiving more from the state, Stott said that the early 2000s brought a new challenge that still faces WCSD No. 1 to this day, declining enrollment.

"We went from over 1,800 students down to 1,400 over a course of four or five years," Stott said.

Declining enrollment continues to be a challenge this year, but Stott said that the incoming kindergarten class looks promising for the district next year with potentially 100 students being enrolled compared to the usual 70.

FONDEST MEMORIES

There have been many relationships and opportunities throughout his more than 25 years that have left Stott with memories that will last forever. Stott has worked with David Nicholas as superintendent for the last 11 years and Mike Hetjmanek the 12 years prior and has garnered friendships with many coworkers over the year.

"They are not bosses they are friends and will continue to be friends," Stott said.

Along with those life-long friends that Stott made over the years, he said that there have been nearly 1,500 different employees over the years who have worked in the district and helping them individually has been one of the most important parts of his job.

Being able to help staff transition toward retirement as well as helping them secure a better financial future has been one of the parts that Stott has enjoyed during his time as business manager.

"Met lots of people, this is a people business," Stott said.

TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES

When he first began with the district there was no internet connection at any building, not even a dial-up connection.

"That has been a dramatic change just in education in general," Stott said.

Stott said that the transition to the digital age began one year into his tenure as the district received their first dial-up internet connection at the central office. Soon after, lines were gradually added into the schools and eventually led into a broadband capacity to interconnect each school via internet and phone.

"When I got here we had a student information system for each building, separate software and separate database," Stott said. "It was around 2005-2010 when we switched to a single database and had network connectivity and everyone could access it."

FUTURE PLANS

There are many stresses from balancing a budget, helping with activities as well as managing projects that go along with the everyday job for the business manager.

"On one hand I will not miss one, on the other hand you do end up missing them," Stott said. "Being able to step back from that a little bit will be a nice change."

With activities being a constant part of their lives for years from school and church Stott said that he is looking forward to a little bit more relaxation in the future.

In retirement Stott is planning to travel as well as spending more time with his parents and his children. Stott said that he and his wife are planning on serving a missing over the coming years as part of their faith.

WRAPPING UP

Stott said that he had been looking at this as his retirement for some time with the board and superintendent or some time prior to these events happening around the world.

He leaves at a time with a budget crunch that is currently unknown due to looming budget cuts from the state as well as declining enrollment in the district.

Stott said this is an ideal time for him to leave the position as Charles Cauffman will begin on March 22 and will look toward balancing a budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

"There will always be budget challenges, this one seems to be a little more severe than what we experience normally but only time will tell," Stott said.

When asked to summarize what the experience of over 25 years in the district has meant, Stott could not find one exact word or phrase to account for all of his experience over the years, but if he had to choose one word to summarize his time as business manager it would be fulfilling.