Proposed concealed carry rule implemented at District 2 board meeting

At Monday night’s monthly meeting for Big Horn County School District No. 2, the board voted to begin the 45-day public comment period regarding the new concealed carry rule to comply with the recently enacted Wyoming state statute.

“On July 1, a new Wyoming state statute regarding concealed carry in schools and other public spaces went into effect,” Superintendent William Hiser said. “In response, BGH2 is developing a rule specific to our district in accordance with that law.”

He went on to say that he and the district’s policy committee have worked closely with the board’s attorney to ensure the proposed rule for the district employees and volunteers align with the statute and reflects the needs and priorities of the community.

“The proposed conceal carry rule is not intended to create unnecessary barriers for employees or volunteers,” board chairman Stacy Bair said. “Its purpose is to ensure that everyone who chooses to carry a concealed firearm is properly trained and prepared to do so safely.”

She added that the training requirements are designed to prioritize the safety of the students, staff and community, while complying with the new statute.

On Friday, the district released the proposed rule to the public, and it can be found on the district’s website in full.

After the 45-day comment period, the board will meet and vote on approving the rule to immediately be enacted. Since it is a rule and not a policy, it will not require a second or third reading.

Some of the policy highlights are: definitions of different individuals and designated areas, permit requirements, specific training, storage of firearms and personal liability.

Students, regardless of age, are not allowed to conceal carry on school property, and they will face disciplinary action, up to expulsion, if they are caught with a firearm.

OTHER ITEMS

After opening the meeting at 7 p.m., the board approved the consent agenda.

Hiser informed the board about details of the first five-day schedule for employees, including new teacher orientation for the four new teachers in the district that was held during the day on Monday.

“They were all excited to get started. and every new teacher has experience, which is nice,” he said.

Business manager Lane Partridge-Black reported to the board that the auditors were in the office on July 31 and performed some disbursement testing on some payroll and other funds.

“They went through every single credit card transaction for the year,” she said. “They will be back the week of October 20, and the report will be presented at the November board meeting.”

Maintenance director Kyle Fluty updated the board on the completion of several projects for facilities in preparation of the beginning of the school year including: refinishing the gym floors, carpeting at the elementary school, new blackout blinds, multi-purpose room improvements at the high school, new asphalt, access to the carrier system at the elementary and others.

There was no old business, and under new business the board approved related service contracts and the contract with Powell Valley Healthcare for sports medicine services of Cammie Brost as the athletic trainer.

The board had no need to break into an executive session and accepted the resignation of Shane McKinney and approved the hiring of Chelsea Craw as the new paraprofessional for the preschool.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m., and the board is holding a work session on September 11 to discuss fundraising and sponsorship policies for the district.