Lungren to replace Hake on Worland Rec Board

The Nov. 25 meeting of the Washakie County School District No.1 Board of Trustees was the last meeting for Jonathan Hake, who will be replaced next month by Becky Dooley, who was elected during last month’s general election.

Towards the end of the meeting, longtime trustee Don Bryant took a moment to thank Hake for his four-year term on the board; he congratulated Hake for his service to the community and said Hake was great to work with. Bryant led the trustees and administrators gathered in the Administration Building in a standing ovation to send Hake off.

Chairman David Tommerup was not present; Vice President Terri Logan filled in for him.

RECREATION BOARD

Hake served as the board’s representative on Worland’s District Recreation Board, so the issue of replacing him was handled at the Monday night meeting. None of the six trustees present at the meeting volunteered at first, but Brett Argeris made a motion to accept Sarah Lungren as the new Rec Board representative. This was seconded by Hake. Some discussion followed where Lungren inquired about the responsibilities of this appointment before the appointment was accepted by the board.

SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT

A motion to approve the extension of Washakie County School District No. 1 Superintendent Tawn Argeris’ contract through the 2025-2026 school year was approved with five votes for and one abstention from trustee Brett Argeris.

FACILITY REPORT

Chief Operating Officer Charlie Cauffman reported that the district’s audit (approved during this meeting) had gone smoothly, with him and his staff completing their submission to auditors three weeks before their deadline. One of the members of the team who performed the audit presented earlier in the meeting, and of the results said, “It presents fairly in all material respects the financial position of Washakie County School District No. 1.”

Cauffman said the high school weight room, the last remaining construction project for the district in 2024, will be officially completed in December when new tread is applied to the room’s stairway.

He provided an update on a project at the Worland Aquatic Center to repair the facility’s slide. Cauffman said bolts holding the slide together have rusted and pose a hazard to its use. The company Splashtacular has been contracted to make the repairs. Initially they planned to repair the slide this year but repairs have been delayed until March during spring break. Repairs are estimated to take 8-10 days and the facility can’t be used during this time. Cauffman estimates repairs will cost $60,000-$70,000.

EARLY GRADUATES

Seniors Ameyalli Flannery and Piper Titus were approved for early graduations, and will receive their high school diplomas at the Administration Building during the meeting in January.

STAFFING

Scott Kelly was approved as a full-time custodian at Worland High School, a classified staff position.

POLICY

Policy 2.12, Healthy Kids was approved for revision on second reading. The policy is being updated to align with current requirements of the National School Lunch Program, which the district’s three elementary schools and middle school are still on.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business at the Nov. 25 meeting, an annual request for security bonds for the superintendent for $20,000, board treasurer for $100,000 and business manager for $100,000 was approved.

The district’s procedure for release from contract for fiscal year 2024-2025 was approved with no modifications from last year.