Daniels resigns from HSC School District 1

After 12 years at Hot Springs County School District No. 1, Curriculum & Professional Learning Community Specialist Breez Daniels submitted and was granted a resignation from the district during the June 20 meeting of the Board of Trustees.

According to her profile on the district’s website, “In 22 years as an educator, Daniels has taught grades K-5, as well as 8th-9th grade reading strategies and social studies in a large junior high… Named Wyoming Elementary/Middle Schools Principal of the Year and National Distinguished Principal in 2016, 2017 and Wyoming Secondary Schools Principal of the Year in 2020 … Daniels has also served as Thermopolis Middle School’s principal.”

Board member Clay Van Antwerp commented, “I want to make a point to say thank you very much; I hate to see her go, but I’m super proud of her and I’m amazed at what she has accomplished.”

STAFFING

Other resignations approved at the June 20 meeting were: Randy Olsen, Maintenance/Grounds; Dan Blair, high school special education paraprofessional; Rachelle Butler, high school special education paraprofessional; Erika Pehringer, high school English language arts teacher; Keri Ann Castillo TMS special education paraprofessional; Kameron Olsen, Title I paraprofessional.

The following staffing recommendations were approved: Gabriella Lanik, part-time custodian; Colter Price, teacherage worker; Kyle Irvin, high school social studies teacher; Sabrina Philpott, second grade teacher; Stephanie Palu, TMS special education paraprofessional; Jennifer Kline, route/activity driver; Babie Robinson, middle school assistant wrestling coach; Dani Jo Pebbles, high school assistant girls basketball coach; Troy Weisshaar, high school assistant boys basketball coach.

BOCHES REPORT

A representative of the Board of Cooperative Higher Educational Services (BOCHES) presented a proposed budget for the organization for the coming school year.

A letter included with the presentation states, “The Hot Springs County Assessor relayed an initial estimate of a 15.469% decrease in valuation for the fiscal year 2024-2 Curriculum & Professional Learning Community Specialist 025 compared to 2023-2024. If the Hot Springs County School Board were to continue levying .25 mill for the CWC BOCHES, this would lead to an estimated revenue of $45,945, a decrease of $7,684 compared to the previous year ... I am recommending that the HSCD Board of Trustees continue to levy .25 mill for the 2024-2025 year.”

The mill levy will be addressed during the budget approval next m

POLICY

Policy KF-E was approved on third and final reading. The policy was amended to increase the rental fee costs of exterior utility usage, the middle school gym, the high school gym and the football field. Also included were some changes of wording.

The 2024-2025 Staff Handbook was approved on second and final reading.

Policy BHC-E1-CCB-E1 – Chain of Communication was approved on first reading. This policy implements a visual map of the chain of communication for communicating with the school district.

Agenda item New Business – item B was voted to be tabled until a special meeting could be held to discuss the content, dealing with the policies being implemented in alignment with the Parental Rights Act written into Wyoming law this year.

OTHER

A bid to provide physical therapy for the district was approved to RYTE Rehabilitation in Thermopolis.

The Recreation District’s 2024-2025 budget was approved in the amount of $197,301.91