BHC School District One buys four-plex and announces valedictorians and salutatorians

The Big Horn County School District No. 1 board meeting, April 10, began after a lengthy two-hour executive session. Superintendent Matt Davidson said the executive session was longer than usual because each principal was individually invited into the meeting to discuss personnel.

The meeting was also used to discuss real estate, and the district’s attorney was present to clarify legal issues with the new concealed-carry laws with regard to schools.

Valedictorians and salutatorians were announced and approved by the board. The valedictorian for Rocky Mountain High School is Bryce Haslem, and the salutatorian is Nathan Clendenen. The valedictorian for Burlington High School is Jessica Mendez, and salutatorians are Jordan Broederlow and Jordan Casey.

During the regular meeting, teacherages were again discussed. Vice chairman Jared Boardman moved that the board approve the purchase of a four-plex in Cowley, with AJ Rasmussen-Dickson seconding the motion. No discussion ensued, and the vote was unanimous (with Thomas Bridges being absent). After the vote, chairman Joseph Bassett explained that the board had been looking at plans for building a duplex, and when they heard that the four-plex was for sale they decided to investigate. Davidson explained that this was a better financial option for the district as it is an already existing structure and would preclude any conversations with the Town of Cowley about adding housing on school property.

The four-plex was built in 2015 and owned by Fred and Carrie Hopkin. The housing will be used to provide new teachers a place to live within the communities they serve. The dwellings will have a limited lease of up to three years, and after that the leasing teacher will have a better idea where to find more permanent housing, it is hoped within the district boundaries. The home currently owned by the district on Main Street in Cowley will be sold. 

There were several student reports/demonstrations/requests made during the meeting. Eight members of the Burlington speech and debate team explained the areas they have been competing in this last school year. Aubbri Wagoner gave a portion of her Information Speech about the importance of good handwriting. The Rocky Mountain Middle School Lego team, coached by John Bernhisel, gave a presentation about the skills they had learned through this new club. They also brought the robots they had made and demonstrated the project each one designed and programmed to complete.

Next, 10 of the RMHS FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) chapter members explained the state competition they had participated in and the awards they had received. The awards made them eligible to compete at the National FBLA Convention/Competition in California. The group petitioned the board to allow two sponsors to go with them, $4,000 for the sponsor’s expenses, and a bus to take the group to the Billings airport and come get them after the trip. (This request was approved later in the meeting.) It was a full night filled with enthusiastic students.

The Budget Committee report included the proposal for the new salary schedule for 2025-26. Classified and certified staff will be receiving a 6% increase in pay next school year. However, the classified staff will also be receiving another 35¢ to 40¢ on each step of the salary schedule. All substitutes (teacher, para, cook, secretary and nurse) will receive a $2 per hour raise. Bus drivers will receive a $1.50 per hour raise.

Homebound instructors will receive a $5 per hour raise. Game duty personnel will receive a $5 increase per contest. Groundkeepers Level 2 and supervised bus care personnel will receive a $1.50 per hour raise. Payout for unused leave will increase from $12.50 to $15 per hour. Insurance costs will increase by 4% this year (the lowest increase in recent years). The increased cost will be split between the employee and the district.

Each principal recognized their employee of the month. Eric Honeyman recognized Rees Newton for Rocky Mountain Elementary School`. He explained that Newton goes above and beyond to support the teachers and students in the elementary school. She has been mentoring a student teacher while continuing her dedicated and compassionate service to the entire school, Honeyman said.

Betsy Sammon, principal of Rocky Mountain Middle/High School, recognized retiring teacher Rod Winland. She stated that Winland has given many years to the school, and it is hard to imagine the school without him. He has always gone beyond what is expected by doing what’s best for students. He has scheduled haircuts, found jobs for kids and invited kids to his home for dinner. He has also served as athletic director and committed himself to keeping the athletic competitions running smoothly. “He shows up, he cares and he’s fun to have around,” Sammons said.

Paige Bacon was recognized by Shannon Siebert, principal of Wyoming Connections Academy. Bacon is the K-12 art teacher and team captain for the middle school Team. She believes in project-based learning and is always thinking out of the box. She has developed a professional learning community by reaching out to the art teachers in Burlington and Rocky. She is always growing and wanting to help the entire staff to grow.

Burlington School principal Autumn Tempany recognized Patricia Casey. Casey is the FACS (Family and Consumer Science) teacher and FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of  America) advisor at Burlington High School. She gives her students real world experiences by preparing food and refreshments for various activities within the school community. She is willing to stay late and lead by example. “She creates a culture of hard work,” Tempany said. Casey was also approved as the District Teacher of the Year during the meeting and will be recognized at the beginning of the 2025-26 School Year by the district. She is now eligible for State Teacher of the Year.

WHSAA (Wyoming High School Activities Association) is proposing a new NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) policy and asked for input from the school boards around the state. The biggest concern expressed by several of the board members and Davidson is that this new policy is being written by WHSAA but would require local districts to administer, implement and impose penalties on individuals within their district. The board, as a whole, agreed that WHSAA needed to step up and administer their own policy.

There was a great deal of discussion concerning HB172 (conceal-carry on school property). Davidson and Bassett explained that the bill requires that the carried weapon must be concealed so that it cannot be seen by the naked eye when on school property, and that those carrying a concealed weapon must have concealed-carry permit. The permit requirement will help to guarantee that the carrier has received some safety training and has had a background check. There are still many questions about how this new law will affect districts across the state, but District No. 1 will take a wait and see approach for now and address concerns and questions as they arise.

The following resignations were accepted: Morgan Haley, RMMS/HS agriculture and biology Teacher; Emily Simmons, RMMS/HS library para; Dana Romriell, BES special education teacher; and Analisse Baird, Burlington special education para.

The following new personnel were approved as recommended: Chandi Workman, RMMS/HS head building secretary; Brook Whiting, RMMS/HS assistant building secretary; Sheryl Slater, RMMS/HS cheer coach; and Mandie Asay, RMMS/HS assistant speech and drama coach.