Hot Springs County School District No. 1 Board

A comment made to a board member turned into a lengthy discussion during last Thursday’s Hot Springs County School District No. 1 Board meeting.

Board member Bethany Webber had a district patron express concern about turnover within the district and board member asked to have the issue on the agenda for “discussion and transparency.”

Superintendent Dustin Hunt said the district is not out of line with other businesses in the area. He also added that transfers within the district are not considered turnovers. It was noted that the figures the patron gave to Webber included transfers within the district and were for a calendar year, not a fiscal year which runs July 1 to June 30.

Hunt said in 2022 fiscal year there were 21 resignations, seven were certified staff, 14 classified and there was 1 retirement. Turnover in 2021 was higher with 14 resignations from certified staff and 21 classified with one retirement.

Board Chairman Sherman Skelton said when questions are asked it is important that the board address those questions in open session. He also added that his understanding is that Montana is reportedly short 1,000 teachers and there are 11 game warden vacancies in Wyoming.

Board member Nichole Weyer said it is hard to fill positions when they don’t receive applicants or applicants do not have the proper certification. “It’s not that we are not trying.”

Hunt added that in 2020-2021 the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the national turnover rate was 47% and became known as the “great resignation.” He said in Hot Springs County, the hospital had a higher turnover rate than the school district.

He said there are challenges in Hot Springs County for all employers and housing is one of those challenges. “It’s not an easy task to undertake but it’s been driven home for years by new staff.” Another issue is that Hot Springs County has one of the oldest populations in the state, he said.

Hunt said there is also the issue of “balancing turnover with success. “We don’t want to keep people just for the sake of keeping people. We keep folks who are delivering on behalf of our children. The reason we built these buildings is so students can learn; it’s a great byproduct we can have jobs and work in a district and work with students but the reason we built buildings is so students can learn and we have to make sure that is actually happening.

“I’d like to think every single person who goes into education goes into it with idea they are going to serve kids to the best of their ability but that’s not always the case. Sometimes we have to make the hard decision to let people know they are not meeting the needs of students. Again the reason these buildings were built were for students.”

Webber said, “I think the community is very happy we are discussing turnover. I think our community sees we are taking it very seriously.” She added that she had some “great conversation” with the patron regarding turnover and getting the correct information to her.

Regarding housing, Hunt also provided an update on the construction of the teacherages. He said the skills trade students will be learning and assisting with window trim, siding, building stairs, flooring, interior trim, setting doors, closet design and construction, insulation, cabinet installation, concrete slab preparation, internal systems instruction, heating and cooling prior to the drywall installation, stair handrails, paper towel and toilet paper holders and finish work. They will also observe with electrical and plumbing.

Hunt said each week will culminate with a presentation from one of the professionals working on the building.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business last Thursday, the board voted to sell the Lucerne property by auction.

Hunt said this is something the board has discussed at least for the past seven years. He said there are several options including sealed bids but he recommended a public auction for transparency and it allows people to increase their bid.

He said the previous owners of the property do have a “right of first refusal” regarding the buyer and that decision could be made quickly at a public auction.

Included in the motion was to advertise for a month and set a minimum bid at the appraised value.

The board approved the purchase of a RAM Promaster 1500 from Fremont Motor Company for $49,858 to be used by facilities and technology departments and also for delivering mail and packages throughout the district. The cargo van replaces two Ford Excursions, one a 2000 and another a 2005.

After a closed/executive session, several personnel items were approved including the hiring of four paraprofessionals, one attendance secretary at the elementary school and one special education teacher, Jessica Flores, at Thermopolis Middle School. Resignations for two paraprofessionals were accepted. The board also accepted the resignation of Hanna Brooks as the food services director.