Lovell High School to test new ‘efficient’ Friday schedule for students

The Big Horn County School District No. 2 Board of Trustees held its regular December meeting on Monday, where district leaders reviewed student achievement, enrollment trends and instructional efforts, while also recognizing students and staff for their accomplishments. 

Student and staff recognition opened the meeting. Lovell Middle School student Rylee Mayes was honored for her character and work ethic. “She is respectful and kind to others. She is also hardworking, accepting and bright,” Middle School Principal Lydia McCracken said.

Senior Owen Walker was named LHS Student of the Month. Walker holds a 3.8 GPA, takes college-level classes, earned a 25 on the ACT and is a state champion in basketball and the high jump. “Owen Walker is an outstanding representative of Lovell High School,” Principal Craig Lundberg said.

Staff recognition followed as Holly Huish was acknowledged for earning the statewide Apron of Honor, awarded annually to Wyoming’s top food service employee.

“There is only one Apron of Honor awarded in the state,” the board was told. “And you’re looking at it.” Huish was praised as “a shining example of kindness, positivity and dedication,” with a strong commitment to student nutrition and well-being.

Elementary Principal Chris Jensen presented a comprehensive report on instructional efforts at Lovell Elementary, emphasizing a school-wide focus on literacy, targeted interventions and strong staff collaboration.

“In the elementary, literacy is king,” Jensen said. “We want to make sure kids are learning how to read.”

Jensen highlighted how targeted instruction and data-informed adjustments are helping students make measurable progress.

“When we get real targeted instruction, that’s when we start to see real progress,” he said. “Challenges are what push you to become what you’re meant to become.”

He also described ongoing adjustments to schedules, data analysis and instructional support systems designed to reach every learner.

New Friday schedule

Lovell High School Student Body President Charlotte Bair shared details of a new Friday schedule the school is piloting.

“Our biggest change is that we’re changing our schedule on Fridays,” Bair said. Principal Lundberg acknowledged some hesitation with the new plan, adding, “We’re going to try it out this Friday. I’m a little nervous, I’m not going to lie, but we’ll see how it goes. I think it’ll be good, but it is a change -- and it’s a bigger one.”

Under the new schedule, instruction remains largely the same, but lunch has been moved to the end of the school day, eliminating the need for students to return to class after eating. An eight-minute extended break has also been added after the fourth period.

“The idea of changing the schedule on Fridays has always been in the minds of staff and students,” Bair said. “When I approached Mr. Lundberg about it, he quickly agreed, and we began discussing what a more efficient Friday might look like. In the past, students would break for lunch, then return to school for just one hour. Speaking from experience, it’s hard to get back on track when the weekend is so close. This new schedule will help teachers keep kids’ attention for the last two periods of the day and hopefully create a positive change for students, as well.”

Superintendent William Hiser reviewed highlights from the district’s annual report card, noting continued improvement in ACT scores across the district while also addressing enrollment challenges affecting many Wyoming schools.

“We’ve been pretty steady the last couple of months for enrollment,” Hiser said.

Current enrollment trends show approximately 45 students per grade at the elementary level, 54 per grade at the middle school and about 60 per grade at the high school. Hiser added that the district benefits from an experienced staff, with certified employees averaging about 15 years of experience.

The meeting concluded with facility, transportation and technology updates, along with board appreciation for staff efforts across the district.