School District No. 1 board of trustees mulls new concealed carry law

The newly passed concealed carry law, effective July 1, 2025, was on the minds of Big Horn County School District No. 1 board members at their regular meeting on June 12.  Following multiple discussions with area law enforcement, Chairman Joseph Bassett recommended that District 1 meet with law enforcement, school superintendents and at least one board member from Big Horn County School Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 to discuss the new law, share perspectives and determine how best to move forward. A meeting is planned for July 7.  

Board members are hopeful that law enforcement will create and provide training to area school districts that are consistent with established protocols and policies. Bassett would like to see “everyone on the same page.” Board members were in concurrence. Thomas Bridges said, “I’d like to see training and protocols in the county that are similar for all, then the public will know what to expect.” Wendy Fuller added, “The more conversation and discussion we have with law enforcement and between school districts will help clarify the statute for all of us.”

“It is pretty easy to get a concealed carry permit,” Superintendent Matt Davidson said. “It worries me that some people will not be well-trained in the handling of a hand gun. That is why we are interested in providing training opportunities for school employees and volunteers. We are not going to compel or even encourage anyone to carry concealed weapons, but for those who do, we want them to be well-trained.”

District 1 is looking ahead to the annual Data Dig session scheduled for June 26. This will be the fourth year that the district’s leadership team and the school board have met together to review goals and accomplishments of the past year, establish goals for the upcoming year and make revisions to the district’s strategic plan.

The data review will include test scores from WY-TOPP, Wyoming state assessments that measure student proficiency in English, language arts, mathematics and science; ACT scores, a standardized test used for college admission that assesses skills in English, mathematics, reading and science; STAR assessments used in K-12 education to assess student progress in reading, math and early literacy and provide teachers with data to personalize instruction and monitor student growth; and a climate survey that gathers feedback from students, teachers, staff and families about their perceptions of the school environment. It is a time when the school’s leadership team and board members can discuss the nuts and bolts of each school within the district and determine what can be done to improve.

Bassett explained to new board members, “We are accountable in our role. We need to know where we are, what is happening and how to move forward, always remembering that there are children behind the numbers.”

Davidson reported to the board that he had recently participated in a four-hour recalibration meeting. Every five years the state legislation recalibrates the financial model for school funding. Public meetings are held throughout the state to determine what is working and what is not working with school funding. The information from these public meetings will be turned into recommendations for the legislative recalibration committee. They will, in turn, form recommendations for the full legislature. The process will take about eight  months to complete.

Davidson noted that this year’s recalibration is carefully considering the lawsuit that the Wyoming Education Association (WEA) recently won against the state, with a judge ruling that the state’s school funding system is unconstitutional due to inadequate and inequitable funding. The ruling, made in late February, stems from a lawsuit filed in 2022 alleging that the state legislature failed to properly fund public schools according to the Wyoming Constitution. 

The Wyoming Education Association (WEA) and several school districts argued that the state’s funding model was not cost-based, did not adequately fund salaries to attract and retain staff and lacked essential components like mental health counselors, school resource officers and sufficient technology. The court agreed, finding that the state had failed to properly assess school facilities for educational suitability, adjust funding for inflation and ensure equitable funding for all districts.

The court’s decision mandates the state to modify its funding model to address these constitutional violations and will maintain jurisdiction over the case until the state complies. The state has indicated it will appeal the ruling, according to reporting by WyoFile.com.

Handbooks for 2025-26 were approved for each of the following: BES, BMHS, RMES, RMMHS, staff, Burlington advisor/coach and WYCA school supplement. 

Board members discussed the use of the district teacherages for student teachers. New teachers will have first priority, but the board will consider making open units available to student teachers.

Business manager Richard Parker reported that the four new buses funded through the DERA (Diesel Emission Reduction Act) grant have arrived. Paperwork for transferring licenses to these vehicles was in process. 

The board accepted the resignations of head Rocky Mountain High School volleyball coach Stephanie Ames and special education life skills educator Chandra Grohman.

The board approved new personnel as follows: Sarah Roper -- BES full-time special education paraprofessional, Lacey Bassett -- RMES classroom teacher, Stacey Haslem -- RMHS assistant girls basketball coach, Blake Smith -- BHS assistant boys basketball coach pending certification, Frannie Cauffman -- BES first grade teacher, Tess Reed-Nelson -- BES special education teacher, Janalee Call -- BES special education paraprofessional, Gerry Burton -- RMMS assistant track coach, Austin Haslem -- RMHS assistant football coach pending certification, Wyatt Horrocks -- RMMS assistant football coach pending certification, Amy Hedges -- RMMHS assistant cheer coach, Tim Allen -- BMS head football coach, Natoshia Heaton -- BMS-HS 6-12 biology and physical science teacher, Whitney Ball -- BES Title 1 paraprofessional, Lonna Neves -- BES special education paraprofessional.

 “It is getting increasingly difficult to find certified teachers in content areas such as math, science and special education,” Davidson noted. “We have had a position in physical science opened since March 5 with no fully qualified applicants. The school is working with an individual who has a science background to see if the state will give her a provisional license to teach until fully qualified.”

Davidson’s end of school year board report stated that, “It was a good year with many positives. Acknowledgements to all of our excellent staff members who contributed to the success of our students.”