Lovell School Board – 97 percent of district staff pass phishing test

Business Manager Lane Black-Partridge Honored for ‘phenomenal job’

The Lovell School Board of Trustees met Monday, recognizing outstanding students, celebrating a volleyball state title and hearing reports that highlighted both academic progress and fiscal health.

Lovell Middle School’s James Henderson was named Student of the Month. LMS Principal Lydia McCracken praised him as “an outstanding student who truly embodies the qualities of student of the month: hardworking, dedicated and respectful toward teachers and classmates.”

At the high school, Elana Schilthuis received similar recognition. LHS Principal Craig Lundberg described her as “a quiet leader who holds herself and her classmates to high expectations” and as a student who “works tirelessly to create quality work on her assignments and projects.”

The state champion Lady Bulldogs volleyball team and Coach Tera Kostelecky were honored for capturing the school’s first 3A and third overall state volleyball title.

“This team is pretty special,” the coach said. “Everything was just on point. I’m most proud of these girls.”

District passes audit with high praise

Auditors reported a spotless financial review. “We issued a clean opinion on your financials,” the lead auditor told the board. “No material weaknesses or significant deficiencies were found in your internal controls … very tight controls here.”

The district was in full compliance with federal requirements, including ESSER and the National School Lunch Program, managing $2.38 million in federal funds. Cash reserves stood at $3.7 million, a decline of $175,000 tied to planned maintenance spending.

“This audit is in the top five of about 35 we perform,” the auditor said, commending business manager Lane Black-Partridge’s “phenomenal job.”

Middle School focus on growth

Lovell Middle School Principal Lydia McCracken highlighted academic and activity progress.

“We have 163 students and a 95 percent attendance rate,” she said. “Fifty-five percent of our students are involved in extracurriculars.”

She outlined efforts to strengthen Tier 1 instruction, co-teaching and small-group learning.

“Our main focus is growth,” McCracken said. “If you have growth, your goals are going to come.”

She also previewed new “Flex Fridays” to expose students to local careers and reported that a recent scooter-safety program “made an immediate impact — from one helmet the next day to six or seven.”

Technology and Food Service

District staff recently participated in an unannounced cybersecurity exercise designed to test their ability to identify phishing emails. All 210 employees received a simulated phishing message, and only six clicked on the link, prompting automatic follow-up training for those individuals, according to Superintendent William Hiser.

In other updates, the middle and high schools issued digital report cards through PowerSchool for the first time this term, a change that received positive feedback from parents.

In food service, Rosanna Rusch and Marya Snell were commended by the state for producing more summer meals than any other Wyoming district, earning a certificate of appreciation for the second consecutive year.

Facilities director Kyle Fluty reported progress on LED lighting conversions, HVAC control upgrades at the elementary and a backup generator nearing completion. He also announced plans for a full gym area parking lot rebuild in 2027.

“As long as the budget’s approved, it should go through — about $2 million,” Fluty said. “It’ll include new lighting, sidewalks and a complete redesign.”

Policy updates and new programs

The board approved updates to several policies, including timelines for penalties to staff who break contracts. Employees who break their contract after July 1 will be penalized $3,000. Other revisions addressed surplus property disposition, key checkout procedures and updated language in the emergency closure policy, replacing “National Guard” with “county or other agencies.”

Members of the board also approved creation of a talent show program at Lovell High School. Teacher Adam Craw proposed the activity to help students explore “modern band-style performances” and plans to stage winter and spring showcases. Lundberg told the school board to imagine “School of Rock”-type activities.

The meeting closed with an executive session on personnel matters.