More crossing guards needed near high school

Bob Aguilar of Thermopolis was present for public comment at the Dec. 19 meeting of the Hot Springs County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees meeting.

Initially, Aguilar wanted to present about “academia statistics,” but board policy prevents members of the public from speaking on topics that are not agenda items.

Aguilar pivoted to raise complaints about keeping the crosswalk outside the high school near Taco Johns staffed with crossing guards. The crosswalk is understaffed, and board Chairman Sherman Skelton told him that this is mostly an issue of getting staff that are willing to apply for the extra duty. Aguilar responded, saying, “I’ve seen in both Washakie and Fremont County, when they didn’t have the right staffing, they used P.E. teachers, they used admin people. We’ve done nothing.”

In response, multiple people present at the meeting said that they had done crossing duty just earlier that week. Jennifer Axtell added, “I think it’s not very fair for you to come in here and say we’re doing nothing when we very clearly are doing something.”

After Aguilar left the podium, Vice Chairman Nichole Weyer took an opportunity to address board policy concerning public comment. She said, “I know it’s frustrating for the public sometimes when we maybe don’t listen to everything at public comment. I think there is a misunderstanding — we are a meeting held in public, not a public meeting. It’s a huge difference. So that’s why we have these policies, it’s very hard when people come in and talk to us about anything and we aren’t prepared at all.”

Board elections

The meeting began with board elections, in which all officers were re-elected.

The individual results were as follows:

Sherman Skelton, chairman; Nichole Weyer, vice chairman; Jennifer Axtell, clerk; and Clay Van Antwerp, treasurer.

Middle School

Thermopolis Middle School Principal Darren Luebbe, along with some middle school staff, had the privilege of sharing with the board that Thermopolis Middle School had been selected as the No. 1 middle school in Wyoming by the U.S. News and World Report. Luebbe said, “It’s not something that we applied for, they searched through all the data and named us No. 1.”

He added, “I’m very proud of the people behind me and the people who were unable to make it tonight, and I’m proud to be on the TMS Staff and also of Hot Springs County School District, because what we do here is important.”

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business at the Dec. 19 meeting:

•The board trustees were given awards based on their participation at training events.

All board members received the Standard of Excellence Award for their attendance.

Clay Van Antwerp and Jennifer Axtell were both given the Award of Distinction.

Joe Martinez was given the Certified Senior Master Board Member Leadership in Learning Award.

Nichole Weyer was recognized for being selected as the 2023 Wyoming Woman of Influence in Education.

•Jaci Garrison was approved as the English language learning director.

•Jessica Carswell was approved as the special education teacher mentor.

•The following policies were approved on second and final reading:

—Policy EBA - Building and Grounds Inspection - Replacing “Maintenance/Transportation Supervisor” with “Facilities and Transportation Directors” as a responsible party for inspections.

—Policy EB - Safety Program - Updating language

—Policy EA - Support Service Goals - Added the goal, “To provide high quality daycare services for district staff.”

—Policy EAA - Evaluation of Support Services - Change of wording to clarify that an assessment is performed annually.