School District #1 struggling with public understanding

With WY-TOPP scores being discussed across the state, Big Horn County School District No. 1 is trying to help parents understand the scores the district recently received. As the host district for Wyoming Connections Academy (WYCA), scores for the virtual school are included in Big Horn No. 1’s overall scores. This creates a misleading assumption that the brick-and-mortar schools within the district are not meeting expectations when, in reality, they are doing very well.

Rocky Mountain and Burlington high schools received “Exceeds Target” and “Above Average” for all academic areas. Rocky Mountain and Burlington middle schools received “Meets Target” and “Above Average” on all academic areas. Rocky Elementary received “Meets Target” and “Above Average” while Burlington Elementary received “Exceeds Target” and “Above Average” on all academic areas. However, WYCA received “Below Target” scores for all academic areas.

At the recent District No. 1 board meeting held on September 11 at the District Office in Cowley, the board discussed with Ryan Boettcher, curriculum director, and Shannon Siebert, WYCA’s principal, what the scores for each school were and what ideas were being discussed for more accurate reporting to the public, as well as remediation for students falling behind. Seibert explained that WYCA’s curriculum is strictly from the textbook company, Pearson, who developed the Academy. All materials, including remediation, must come from their company. 

WYCA always struggles with students staying current with their assignments, motivation and being on grade level, Seibert said. She gave the example of three very intelligent students coming to take the ACT test at a designated location and completing the test long before everyone else in the room did. When asked why they were finished so early, they responded they didn’t need the test to get into college and so they just clicked through the answers.

Recently Seibert and Superintendent Matt Davidson have been investigating, with Pearson, the possibility of creating a charter school for WYCA. Seibert explained that the district would have to authorize the charter school, and it would then have its own board. There would most likely be a cap on enrollment, as well. The board asked Davidson and Seibert to continue their talks and keep them informed.

Richard Parker, financial director, reported that Average Daily Membership (ADM) is up 4% for the entire district (which includes WYCA) from last year. Rocky schools total 352 students, down 14 students or 4% from last year. Burlington schools total 235 students, up 11 students or 5% from last year. WYCA totals 641 students, up 38 students or 6% from last year.  ADM numbers are critical in the school funding model.

Staff awards

The Board recognized the staff members of the month from each school (excluding WYCA, which will be recognizing staff every other month). Tobee Christiansen is the Rocky Mountain Middle/High School staff member of the month. Principal Betsy Sammons said that Christiansen has been a member of the staff since 2012. He has filled many roles while being PE/health teacher and assistant principal. He has cooked for staff and students countless times. He is the first to arrive and last to leave the gym after a variety of activities. He is a lead and exemplary member for the PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) in the school and district. He models best teaching practices and uses excellent formative assessments to influence his instruction.

Eric Honeyman, principal of Rocky Mountain Elementary, presented Keesha Herron as their staff member of the month. Keesha is flexible and calm in challenging situations. She greets students each morning as they arrive at school with a smile and positive attitude. Honeyman described her as a “positive giver” within the elementary community.

Judy Wilds, Burlington Schools secretary, was named Burlington staff member of the month. Autumn Tempany, Burlington School principal, explained that this year they are asking everyone in the school system to nominate a staff member for this award. Wilds name showed up repeatedly this month for her kindness, her smile, never saying a cross word, being early every day and being the first person seen by students and staff often. Tempany said, “We are very fortunate to have her on our team.”

Legislative report

Davidson reported on the legislative committee meeting he and Parker attended recently. The appointed 2025 Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration met September 4 and 5 to discuss recommendations for funding schools throughout the state. Their discussions included responses to the recent ruling on the lawsuit filed by the Wyoming Department of Education against the Wyoming Legislature.

Some of the issues Davidson discussed are as follows: inclusion of funding for SROs, elementary counselors, lunch deficits and salary increases; requiring all districts to use the State of Wyoming health insurance plan; a proposal to revamp class size ratios for K-3 as 15 to 1 but increasing 4-12 as 25 to 1; concerns over the funding for liability insurance related to technology; and discussion about the state being the owners of the school buildings built with state money. Davidson said there are some very concerning items on their agenda that need to be watched closely. There will one more meeting in October to finalize the recommendations given to the Wyoming Legislature.

Davidson also reported on the Project Based Learning partnership with the University of Wyoming. The Project Based Leadership team and a few other interested staff members will be visiting exemplary schools in Iowa, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, Virgina, Jackson Hole, and Chugwater. When asked by a board member who was funding all this travel, Davidson responded, “The University of Wyoming grant. If we were paying for it there would be more trips to Chugwater.”

During the Financial report, Parker reported to the board that 30,117 meals had been provided this summer throughout the district by the USDA Summer Nutrition Program. Families signed up for the program and then came to the designated pick-up sites and received a week’s worth of food, breakfast and lunch, throughout the summer. It was very successful.

It was decided by unanimous vote that the board work meeting scheduled for September 25 be cancelled for lack of items on the agenda. 

The meeting concluded with hiring the following: Aric Hanusa as RMMS Asst. Boys Basketball Coach; Colton Hodge as RMMS Asst. Boys Basketball Coach; Natoshia Heaton as BHS Asst. Volleyball Coach (pending certification); Seth Wardell as BMS Asst. Football Coach (pending certification); Blake Smith as BMS Athletic Director; Cheyenne Clark as BES Student Council Advisor; Tess Reed as BHS Asst. Speech & Debate Coach; and Danna Willis as North End Route Driver.

The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.