School board discusses Maloney Park land exchange, daily substitute pay increase

The monthly assembly of Big Horn School District No. 4’s board of trustees was held Tuesday, Oct. 13. They discussed a proposed land exchange involving Maloney Park, increased daily pay for substitute teachers, and approved several personnel and policy actions at their recent meeting.

Business Manager Trevor Whitaker said the district’s audit had been completed and noted that accountant James Seckman will deliver the audit results on November 10.

Work on the proposed land swap is continuing. The exchange involves property connected to Maloney Park; appraisals and a survey are planned, with the process targeted for completion before the end of the year. 

The school expects to retain the shop building and a 30-foot perimeter surrounding the building. The board also discussed the park’s history, the possibility of restoring an ice-skating rink, and communicated that the greenhouse by the old school has been moved to a location closer to the new school. 

“We attended the Basin Town Council meeting and presented a proposal to exchange the old football field property for the land currently occupied by the track and field facilities at Maloney Park. The discussion was positive, and the council appeared receptive to the proposal,” Whitaker said in his report. “I have also registered to present the proposed land swap to the School Facilities Commission (SFC) at its November meeting to seek the State’s approval.”

Maloney Park currently encompasses the baseball fields, the walking path, and Pioneer Cemetery. 

STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC PROGRESS

LIE Principal and Special Education Director Katie Seeley said the district is working through a special education corrective action plan, with the state indicating the identified changes may be completed in less than a year. 

On October 9, a school attorney presented to certified staff as part of their professional development day. “She covered the roles and responsibilities of general education staff as members of the IEP team, as well as best practices for implementing IEPs in the general education classroom,” said Seeley in her report. 

This presentation was a required part of LIE’s Corrective Action Plan from the Wyoming Department of Education. “During the presentation, it was noted that much of this information was new learning for our newer staff, as these topics are not covered in depth in many college teacher preparation programs,” said Seeley. 

For her strategic plan concerning well-rounded graduates, Seeley told the board in her report about LIE Crew Time. “Last month, LIE Crew Time focused on the value of respect, and this month the focus has shifted to duty. Students have been exploring what duty looks like in school, at home, and in the community through discussions and activities. Both kids and staff are enjoying the connections being made during Crew Time, as it continues to build strong relationships and a positive school culture.”

RMHS Principal Matt Jensen said the district is broadening how it measures student growth, using multiple assessments rather than relying on a single test.

Jensen also reported that missing assignments and failing grades have declined, particularly among students in grades eight through 12, following schedule changes that provide time for students to get help from teachers. He said staff will continue working with students on prioritizing assignments.

For his strategic plan concerning well-rounded graduates Jensen told the board in his report, “Continued offerings of activities for students to learn skills to help them in the workforce and beyond. Athletics and Club Activities, Gear Up, Work Experience, FFA, FBLA, etc.”

While he did not bring it up in the board meeting, Jensen discussed computers in his principal’s report, “Due to persistent misuse of Chromebooks by middle school students outside of school hours, I am collaborating with MS staff to cease home usage. This change will be implemented by the start of the second semester in January.”

At the start of the meeting chairman Heath Hopkin noted a slight change to standing agenda information, “We’ve added the strategic plan goals and the graduation competency focus.”

Superintendent Keith Campbell chimed in saying, “This is to keep us focused on our goals as we work throughout each meeting.” In his report he went onto say, “I wanted to emphasize our new Graduation Competency Focus as well so that we can stay committed to these.”

The district’s current strategic plan goals include Student Learning and Academic Achievement, Develop Well-Rounded Graduates, Innovative Teaching and Active Learning, and Staff Recruitment and Retention. For graduation competency focus the district chose: Effective Work Habit - Students will practice effective work habits, including organization, time management, attention to detail, and follow-through.

POLICY

The board reviewed several policy revisions concerning medical insurance, classified staff positions, recruitment and hiring, and special education evaluation and eligibility.

All changes to board policies, and final versions of handbooks, can be viewed on the district’s website: www.bgh4.org

OTHER NEWS

LIE fifth grader teacher Chere Knotwell was recognized in Casper on Sunday, Oct. 11. The WDE hosted its annual celebration to acknowledge all the state teachers of the year. “That’s quite an accomplishment for her and obviously representing our school district,” said Campbell. Knotwell was named the Big Horn County School District No. 4 teacher of the year back in May. 

The board also recognized student achievements. Sixth-grader Harmony Hopkin was named middle school student of the month for her kindness, leadership and perseverance. Senior Taylor Hieb received the high school recognition for her academic progress, contributions in class, and notching the highest ACT score in the senior class.

Kindergarten teacher Sarah Hing shared a delightful video presentation, along with three of her students, about their “creepy creature reports” project. They researched, traced and painted the creatures including a Komodo dragon, velvet worms, king cobras, centipedes, scorpions, beetles and a variety of spiders.

“We’re hoping to be done the first week of November, and we would love to invite you to come on over and take a gallery walk. They’ll have their flip books up hanging in the hallway, and they’ll be more than happy to share really cool facts about their creepy creatures. That’s kind of what’s going on in kindergarten right now,” said Hing. 

Student Council liaison Xander Dannar reported on leadership activities, an upcoming middle school Halloween dance and a fundraiser benefiting a community member affected by cancer.

The board voted to raise the daily substitute teacher rate from $125 to $145 for certified and non-certified substitutes. 

Community reports covered ongoing renovations and technology work at the BOCES center in Thermopolis, as well as Basin Rec grant applications and activities. Board members also scheduled a school tour for Nov. 4.

After its executive session, the group returned to announce two staffing changes. The board approved Ryan Casad’s resignation from special education paraprofessional and hired Krystal Gipson as a special education paraprofessional. The board voted not to accept a nonresident student application.