BHCSD No. 1: Four-day school week discussion tabled

The Big Horn County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees met December 11 to recognize student and staff achievements, review district finances and set direction on several policy and planning issues, including the school calendar for the coming years.

One of the most anticipated discussion items was the district calendar for the 2026-27 school year. After reviewing feedback from administrators, parent groups and community input, trustees declined to pursue a four-day school week and voted to continue with the district’s traditional five-day calendar. With that decision, discussion of a four-day week was effectively put to rest for another year.

The meeting opened with multiple recognitions celebrating student success across the district. Burlington High School’s cross country program was honored following a strong postseason, highlighted by the boys team capturing its fourth state championship in five years. Kellen Winters earned the individual state championship, while Kelli McNiven finished as state runner-up. Several athletes received all-state and all-conference honors.

Staff members from across the district were recognized for outstanding contributions. At Rocky Mountain Elementary School, Cari May was praised for stepping into a leadership role in the music program, dedicating extra hours to instruction, introducing music reading skills and helping implement a plan to add pianos for student use. She was also recognized for her work preparing students for community performances, including Veterans Day and the Senior Citizen Luncheon.

At Rocky Mountain Middle/High School, Macy Jones was named staff member of the month for December. Jones was recognized for her initiative, organization and creativity, particularly her work preparing the school library for students and developing engaging activities to promote reading.

Burlington Elementary School recognized fifth-grade teacher Leah St. Clair for her inclusive teaching practices, leadership in project-based learning and efforts to ensure students with special needs are fully included in classroom activities. St. Clair also serves as advisor for the school’s speech and debate program.

In discussion items, the board reviewed graduation pathway concerns raised by Wyoming Connections Academy. Trustees discussed the need for additional flexibility for students whose circumstances make traditional graduation requirements difficult. The board agreed to move forward with policy work exploring a “basic” diploma option requiring 20 credits.

The board also received an update from the district budget team, which reviewed several planning and infrastructure items. These included engineering bids to pave and complete the parking area near the Rocky Mountain Middle/High School football field, discussion of a potential multipurpose agricultural building with space for a greenhouse, evaluation of the district’s catering program and a phased approach to replacing aging smart boards. The transportation department also proposed selling a Buick Enclave and purchasing another SUV for staff use in the north end of the district.

In action items, trustees approved the district’s financial report, extended outreach coordinator contracts through the end of May, approved out-of-district enrollment for Wyoming Connections Academy students, authorized multiple policy updates and approved the employment of Skye Mader as Robotics Club sponsor at Rocky Mountain Middle School.

Auditors presented the district with a clean audit opinion for the 2024–25 fiscal year, indicating that financial statements were fairly presented and free of material issues. The district ended the year with more than $20 million in cash and approximately $39 million in total net position. Of that amount, more than $11 million is committed to long-term capital needs, while roughly $6.4 million remains unrestricted. Employee retirement costs remain the district’s largest long-term obligation and contributed to a small decline in net position during the year.

The board also reaffirmed compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which requires schools receiving E-rate funding to maintain internet safety policies, filter inappropriate content, monitor student online activity and provide instruction on digital citizenship and cyberbullying awareness.

The meeting concluded with reports from trustees who attended Wyoming School Boards Association training sessions on leadership, policy updates and the role of artificial intelligence in future classrooms.