New officers and administrative reports highlight District 1 board meeting

By: 
Kary Lewis

The Big Horn County School District No. 1 board of trustees began their public meeting on December 12 with the election of new officers for 2025.

Joseph Bassett and Jared Boardman were re-elected to serve as chairman and vice chair. New board member Thomas Bridges was elected as treasurer, and Hiedi Christensen as clerk. Chairman Bassett explained to the new trustees about board team membership. Each board member serves on a committee and works with staff, patrons and students in one of three designated areas: policy, budget and career technical education (CTE).

Board teams for 2025 are: Policy - Christensen and Wendy Fuller; Budget - Bridges, Craig Jones and Bassett; CTE - Boardman, AJ Rasmussen-Dickson and Bassett. Superintendent Matthew Davidson expressed his enthusiasm for the new board members.

“They are eager and anxious to be involved, asking questions and willing to take time to learn,”he said.

Principals Betsy Sammons (RMMHS), Autumn Tempany (Burlington) and Eric Honeyman (RMES) gave reports detailing the work that is being done in their buildings and how it coordinates with the district’s strategic framework. Shannon Siebert of Wyoming Connections Academy (WYCA) presented the WYCA annual report. Sammons reported on the high school’s multi-tiered approach implemented to increase overall achievement and raise ACT scores with math and reading tutoring, a flex fifth period where students selected by teachers are sent for intervention and ACT practice testing that follows Burlington’s practice of working one sample problem per week. In the middle school, Friday is a day of enrichment and intervention.

Tempany explained how they are tracking students’ overall growth rate through a 30-minute standard achievement test taken several times a year. These tests gauge gaps in a students’ education, and intervention can be detailed to assist a student in areas where improvement is needed.

Honeyman reported that they continue to meet expectations of achievement by fine-tuning CHAMPS, improving their master schedule, including STEAM, and strengthening communication among teachers, aides and administrators. Siebert gave an overview of how the online program is working and that WYCA, one of 17 virtual programs throughout the state connected to Rocky Mountain Schools, is anticipating an enrollment of 673 non-resident or resident students for next year. The board approved non-resident students.

Superintendent Davidson said that principal reports are important for the public to hear about. According to Davidson, “Improvement plans reported by principals reflect the work of the district to help students improve and achieve.” Alex Florek of Carver Florek & James, CPAs, met with the board via Zoom and explained the results of the BHCSD No. 1 yearly audit. Florek issued a clean audit and said, “Richard Parker and team are doing an excellent job maintaining district finances. The district is sitting at a very healthy financial position.”

During his financial report, Parker explained budget background and accounting. He also addressed two concerns mentioned in the audit -- segregation of duties and the activity account. Segregation of duties has been mentioned in previous audits, and it is characteristic of small districts due to limited personnel. The activity account can be reviewed at any time, and Parker feels that there is ample oversight when activity funding is reimbursed.

Employees of the month were recognized by the board: Shellie Sanders (RMES), Kelli Orr (RMMHS), Lisa Winters (Burlington) and Amber Townsend (WYCA). Many student recognitions were also announced.

Board members discussed their take-aways from the 2024 Wyoming School Boards Association annual conference in November. Six of the seven trustees were in attendance. New board members found the conference to be extremely helpful, particularly the training on the complexity of district finances. They felt their time was well spent and the presenters were excellent. Board members will continue their training through WSBA’s 2025 workshops available online.

At the the WSBA Annual Conference, District 1 received the Standard of Excellence recognition for the previous board of trustees. Recognition requires that the majority of trustees received a Master Board Member award (MBM). An MBM award is point based according to a trustee’s attendance at WSBA conferences or a national conference.

“This recognition shows how trustees are committed to their role as school board members,” Davidson said. “They show a willingness to give their time to training that will help them become more effective and efficient in their responsibilities. It reflects their good intent to public service.”

The board continues to self-evaluate as they address Component 2.11 of District 1’s self-governance policies within facilities, transportation and food service. Board members made plans to deliver candy canes to students and Christmas hams to employees throughout the district.

The board approved the 2025-26 board meeting schedule and the 2025-26 school year calendar. Both can be accessed online at bighorn1.com. They also approved the WYCA 2025-26 school year calendar.

Policy reviews and readings were as follows: Reviewed -- Evaluation of administrators other than the superintendent. Approved on first reading -- Unsafe School Option and Section 504 ADA Guidelines and Forms. Approved and adopted on second reading -- Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, Home-based Educational Programs, Student Attendance and Participation in High School Activities.

Under new personnel, the recommendation of Melodi Allen as a 20 hour/week custodian in Burlington was approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m. The Big Horn School District No. 1 board will meet on January 9 at 7 p.m. in the district office. There will be a Rec Board meeting and a regular meeting.

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