Student achievement, raises mark School District 1 board meeting

Many student achievements leading to national academic competition were among major elements Thursday night, April 11, during a meeting of the Big Horn County School District One board in the main office in Cowley.
The regular meeting, which began at 7:30 and lasted until approximately 9:13 p.m., was preceded by a nearly 90-minute executive (nonpublic) session. The length of the closed session included the board self-evaluating the personnel component of board governance and discussing their ratings, said Maryanne Bischoff, administrative assistant. As well, she noted end-of-year personnel were discussed with each building principal.
Regarding the personnel component of board governance review, she added, “The board is pleased with its professional development (regarding) their elected positions. The shared view is to be approachable, set precedence and foster independence of staff doing their jobs without interruption from the trustees.”
Later in the regular session, Richard Parker, in his business manager capacity, advised a new classified support salary schedule for the 2024-25 year. He said that there will be an increased hourly base on paraprofessionals from $16 to $18.50, assistant cooks from $14.75 to $16 and route drivers from $17.90 to $20.50. The transportation director rate will rise from $24 to $27.
All remaining classified positions, Parker said, will have a 3 percent increase. He added that all other staff (certified, administrative, counselors, nurses, facilities director and all others) will receive a 3 percent pay increase.
It was noted that the district budget team met several times earlier this year to discuss the benefit/compensation survey information. This team, it was reported, also helped with making decisions for the 2024-25 district budget.
Board chairman Joseph Bassett conducted the Thursday gathering with fellow trustees Jared Boardman, Don Hatch, Holly Michaels, Hiedi Christensen and Jessie Hamilton with Superintendent Matt Davidson. Trustee David Banks was missing with an excused absence.
Among actions by trustees was 6-0 approval and adoption of a revision to the district’s Leadership Rule. Under the amended policy/Juvenile Justice Information Exchange it is stated as follows:
“It is expected that student athletes and activity participants develop and demonstrate leadership qualities. One opportunity to lead resides in avoiding social gatherings where underage peers possess alcohol or drugs and encouraging other students to also avoid such settings.
“In any gathering of peers where alcohol or drugs are present, student leaders should notify an adult and leave that setting. Students who are present may be asked to take a drug or banned substance test.
“A positive test will demonstrate use, and the student will be subject to consequences.”
FBLA honors
Skye Mader, adviser of the RMMHS chapter of Future Business Leaders of America, with her students who qualified for national competition, presented an overview of their first year of the redesigned Grizz Den. It offers a variety of snacks and school-related items.
The focus, it was related, is career and technical education development and tying those skills to the community and businesses.
The FBLA students in their presentation said that they began from scratch by developing a financial business plan. They devised the steps to achieve the working parts and marketing plans with implementation involving real life experiences. One way the FBLA members foster growth of their skills, it was noted, involved staging a pretend shopping experience with elementary school students and holding a career day to explore avenues of various careers.
At the state FBLA competition, 18 of the 23 students placed with their projects, with 10 earning placings. Seven students (see photo) are to compete at the National FBLA Convention in Orlando, Florida, from June 27-30.
Mader advised the board that, “These students placed significantly at the state conference and will represent our school well. We would also like to request financial assistance to attend the national conference. Now that we are required to take an additional chaperone, this will require an additional $1,760.” She originally requested $2,000 from Perkins Professional Development to attend the conference, which will cover her part of the trip.
The district board unanimously OK’d financial assistance for a second chaperone, plus transportation for chaperones and students to and from the Billings airport.
Continuing with student presentations, the board heard that Burlington’s chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America “has seen an amazing year as a chapter and that those individuals participating with it have seen impressive placings for their efforts.”
The chapter returned from the State FCCLA Convention with a Gold Chapter Award, a state officer and 17 members earning placings between 1st and 3rd. Three of the members (see photo) will compete at Nationals in Seattle, June 29-July 3.
Chapter adviser Patricia Casey procured a $1,000 FCCLA grant from the Ellbogen Foundation. She asked that the board cover her and another chaperon’s expenses to attend the National FCCLA Convention with transportation. The board gave its approval 6-0 including transportation for chaperones and students to and from the airport in Billings.
District trustees also approved the retirement of Rick Wheeler, Burlington shop teacher; Burkade Ames, RMHS assistant football coach; Jessica Prudum, secondary teacher/English language arts/Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy; Tyler Banks, RMHS assistant football coach; Doug Arnold, RMMS head girls basketball coach; Matt McNiven, BHS assistant boys basketball coach; Shelby Moore, BMS special education paraprofessional; and Kara Holland, WYCA secondary math teacher.
In other matters the board:
Recognized employees of the month: Taylor Winland from RMES, Kirk Hopkin from RMMHS and Patricia Casey from Burlington. Each was strongly applauded for their dedication and willingness to always aid students, staff and parents by going the extra mile.
Heard from Richard Parker that health insurance rates are increasing by 10 percent from last year. He listed recommendations reached after district staff, through a survey, helped make the final determination of the distribution of that cost. He said that the district contribution decreased slightly on all levels of plans. Directors approved the new 2024-25 insurance rates as presented.
Voted 6-0 to approve the April district warrant list from March 14 through April 11; and 5-0 to approve a warrant written on April 11 with Bassett abstaining because, Maryanne Bischoff explained later, he is the vendor (trash service) for that billing.