Early graduate, elections highlight Worland school board meeting

WORLAND – Worland High School senior Sophia Scheuerman had an early graduation ceremony at the Washakie County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday night, Dec. 13.

While friends and family crowded into the Administration Building, Scheuerman walked into the board room wearing a cap and gown and received her diploma from board member Don Bryant, and was congratulated by all board members, Superintendent Tawn Argeris and Administrative Assistant Nicole Hellyer.

Afterwards, all high school students that competed in fall activities and received All-State honors and other accolades were recognized, and were given a certificate and drawstring bag as a gift for their outstanding efforts in their activities.

ELECTIONS

Annual elections were then held to determine roles among school board members. All positions resulted in re-elections as follows:

David Tommerup was reelected as chairman; Terri Logan vice chairman; Brett Argeris clerk.

The position of Treasurer was vacated when Duane Whitlock departed the school board, and Jonathan Hake was newly elected as the Board of Trustees treasurer.

All coaches for fall activities were approved to be re-appointed to their positions during the 2023-2024 school year, except for the head high school swimming coach position which is still left vacant.

Kathy Mercado, who was attending her first school board meeting as a newly appointed Trustee, was appointed to serve on two of the board's standing committees: Salaries and Buildings & Grounds.

MAINTENANCE

A motion was approved to accept the bid of phase two of the project to remodel the Worland High School. The project will occur over a long period of time and will look to modernize some of the older sections of the school that are due for some improvements.

Charlie Cauffman added that the window of opportunity to perform the maintenance needed on West Side's roof was shrinking, and asked that a bid be pre-approved by the school board once a bid on the project was received to hasten the process.

AQUATIC CENTER

Cauffman also explained the upcoming plans for Joint Powers Board that is in charge of the Worland Aquatic Center. He said that in the span of three to six months, the Joint Powers Board would be dissolved and ownership of the pool would transition to the school board. Cauffman wanted to emphasize that this would have no impact on how the aquatic center operates, and it will still be open to the public.

MEMORIAL

In light of the news of the passing of Kevin Tonkovich, a long time German language teacher at Worland High School, the board will be planning a memorial service in his honor. A full obituary is published on A3 in this week's issue.