Hot Springs County school board mulls policies

THERMOPOLIS – Student accomplishments and matters of policy took up much of the time in the Hot Springs County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 16.

Next up, Hot Springs County educators presented to the board recent developments in the Level Up Leadership Program, a program that seeks to elevate Wyoming’s education professionals by providing leadership development to Wyoming educators. They reported that most recently, they had taken a cohort to Cheyenne to sit in on Wyoming Legislature and speak with lawmakers.

Darren Elder, a math and career and technical education teacher in Thermopolis, allowed two of his CTE students to present their work during the meeting. They brought with them planter boxes they had made in class, which they explained would be used to grow crops during the spring and summer months, and CTE students would harvest produce from them and sell it at farmers markets to raise money for the program. Outside of the growing season, the students planned alternative uses of the boxes as well.

There was only one matter of staffing at that night’s meeting: the resignation of Stephanie Metz as high school assistant track coach, which was approved.

During the superintendent’s report, Hot Springs County School District No. 1 Superintendent Dustin Hunt gave a report on the progress of the Thermopolis schools “strategic plan”, offered praise to Breez Daniels for her role as Middle School Principal until they were able to hire a new person who will start in July of this year, and gave an update on the anticipated date of receiving results from the Wyoming School Board Association Climate Survey. Survey results should be ready by the time of the March school board meeting. He ended the report by saying that they were looking for quotes after finalizing the construction plans to build a teacherage for Hot Springs County educators to live at.

Policy adoption was the only matter of old business presented at the meeting, namely Policy JLCD-A, which would give permission to staff to administer epinephrine pens if they are faced with a student experiencing a severe allergic reaction. The policy was approved on the second and final reading.

As for new business, policy review of six existing policies started it off:

ACE – Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act

ACE-R – Section 504 Due Process Procedures

AD – Educational Philosophy/School District Mission

ADB – Drug-free Schools

ADD – Unsafe School Choice Option

AEC/CM – School District Annual Report

All above policies were accepted as presented.

Policy adoption was then discussed, with Policy GBEBB, relating to conduct policy. The policy was approved on first reading after some discussion regarding filming individuals without permission. The policy states that no one can be filmed without their consent.

The policy is more stringent than state law, which board members argued is permissible. Wyoming law is a one-party consent state.

Policy revision was up next, with Policies JBA and JBA-E being revised to introduce grievance and complaint forms for students and staff to fill out if they feel the need to do so. Additionally, Policies ADA – School District Goals and Objectives, and ADC – Tobacco-Free Schools were approved on first reading.

Approval was given to move forward with fuel bids for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

During the meeting, student representative, Karina Lea, told the board about upcoming student events, including speech and debate, basketball and wrestling, all of which have events taking place this weekend. Hot Springs County High School basketball teams will be celebrating their Senior Night on Feb. 24. She also announced that State Cheer had been postponed due to weather, and is tentatively scheduled for some time in March. Also, State Wrestling will be taking place this week.

Lea then recognized FFA members for their accomplishments in recent events, and mentioned that student council members had been writing to state legislators in support of a bill that would seek mandatory suicide prevention training for students.

Lastly, she reminded board members about the upcoming Jackalope Jump fundraiser event on Thursday March 9, where representatives from student organizations would participate by jumping into freezing water to raise money for Special Olympics programs. The Jump will be at Hot Springs County High School.