Ten Sleep School gets new secretary with Collen retiring

With Janet Collen retiring at the end of the month, the Washakie County School District No. 2 Board approved the hire of Anne Lyman to fill the position effective at the beginning of the spring semester. Collen’s retirement party was held at Ten Sleep School’s cafeteria on Dec. 13.

Board Elections

The Dec. 11 meeting of the Washakie County School District No. 2 Board of Trustees began with the election of board officers.

A motion was approved to allow all current officers to maintain their current positions, resulting in this outcome:

Erin Blutt, chairperson.

Bill Murphy, vice chairperson.

Marc Dykstra, clerk.

Shana Harstad, treasurer.

Superintendent

Report

Superintendent Annie Griffin began her update on construction progress of the new school by introducing a budget issue. She said, “There was an error in the amount of money on early reports allotted for furniture and custodial equipment.” The error in question has furniture and custodial equipment costing more than was originally expected. Griffin said that she is working with a team to determine where the funds for these items will come from.

As for construction, both structure and infrastructure work are underway. Concrete bricks are being laid to frame the walls while air ducts, piping and electrical are being installed in the interior.

Work continues on the new athletic field, too. A drainage system is being built, and the base for the track is being brought to grade.

Policy

The following policies were approved on first reading:

5.15, Cell Phones and Portable Electronic Equipment – Use guidelines for personal electronic devices during school.

5.16, Visitors – Policy for when and how guardians may arrange to visit.

5.17, Care of Property – Students are responsible for all books, lockers, desks, and any other school property that is assigned to them. Loss or any deliberate damage to school property will result in a fine or other penalty.

5.17.1, Search of Property – The principal or designee shall be authorized to search a student’s locker or desk. Any unauthorized or stolen item found in a school desk or locker may be removed and given to the parent/guardian of the student, returned to its rightful owner, or forwarded to law enforcement officials as the circumstances may warrant.

5.18, School Cancellation Early Dismissals – Should school need to be dismissed early, or canceled for the day, every effort will be made to notify all students and parent/guardian as soon as possible by posting on social media and using the emergency calling list.

5.19, Sponsorship Supervision – No student or students shall be allowed in any part of the school building after 3:30 p.m. or any day that school is not in session, without teacher sponsorship or administration approved supervision. With any school sponsored activity after school hours, the teacher should be the last one to leave the building.

5.20, Sales of Articles – Sales of items by school sponsored organizations for the purpose of raising money may be held outside of class time. ALL fund-raising instances must have prior approval of the administration and the high school student council.

5.21, Attendance Regulations – Attendance guidelines and consequences for when they aren’t met.

5.22, Working Students – Defines eligibility for a student to qualify for consideration as a working student.

3.50, Certified Staff Teacher Performance Evaluation – Criteria for teacher evaluation, amended to reflect a change to state statute.

Policy 5.23, Permission to Leave Class was omitted. This policy states, “If a student needs to leave class for a short period of time, he/she must receive permission from the teacher in charge.” Superintendent Griffin felt that, “It is a classroom management expectation so there is no need for a policy.”

The following policies were approved on second reading:

6.04, Classes – Outlines class responsibilities such as prom and graduation.

7.08 Travel Meals – The District will be responsible for out-of-town student meals at culminating events and overnight activities according to the district meal schedule. Suggested meal allowances will be $25 for one meal or $30 per day.

1.29 Procurement – Policy and procedures for obtaining goods and services.

2.27 Public Records – The school district can provide public records, but there are associated costs/fees.

5.51 Emergency Administration of Stock Opiate Antagonist – Policy in place to have a stock of opiate antagonist for use in the event of an opiate overdose.

Other

Staff bonuses were distributed as follows:

•33 full-time staff members received a bonus of $1,232.13.

•Four part-time employees received a bonus of $616.17.

Total cost to the district is $46,424.03.