BHCSD#4 discusses winter sports schedule

The Big Horn County School District No. 4 board of trustees met for their monthly meeting last Tuesday evening. All members of the board were present.

Middle school sports were a concern regarding a proposed change to seasons and what sport is offered when, specifically for girls sports including basketball and wrestling. A proposal was reviewed that extends winter sports into three seasons, “creating more opportunities for girls to participate,” said Riverside Middle High School Principal and athletic director Matt Jensen. 

Board members were presented with two preliminary schedules that were tabled for future discussion. “Hard decisions each district has to make,” said Jensen, noting that he would collaborate with neighboring school districts to see how they are choosing to handle the winter sports scheduling conflicts. Jensen indicated he would look to find a consensus between Basin and Greybull on what will work best.

It was noted the current schedule leaves teams fighting for gym time and girls having to choose between wrestling and basketball. 

The two proposals would not affect Fall and Spring sports but would split up Winter sports. “Scheduling would be an issue,” said Jensen. “Making aware of the options, it’s not good for our girls to have overlapping seasons.”

Option one proposes five seasons of sports for the school year. Cross country, volleyball and football would remain the same with a season spanning Aug. 17 – Oct. 10. Winter 1 would include girls wrestling, boys wrestling and swimming spanning Oct. 12 – Dec. 5. Winter 2 would be just girls basketball, Dec. 7 – Feb. 6. Winter 3 would be just boys basketball, Feb. 8 – March 27. Spring sports of track, soccer, tennis and golf would run March 29 – May 15. 

Option two proposes four
seasons of sports for the school year. Cross country, volleyball and football would remain the same with a season spanning Aug. 17 – Oct. 10. Winter 1 would include girls basketball, boys wrestling and swimming spanning Oct. 12 – Dec. 12. Winter 2 would include girls wrestling and boys basketball spanning Jan. 4 – Feb. 27. Spring sports of track, soccer, tennis and golf would run March 22 – May 8. 

“The one thing it affects for us and Greybull is wrestling,” said Jensen. “The fallout of recalibration of how money is being distributed to schools. Everyone is worried about funding, what schools will keep what sports.”

Only schools in the northwest region of the state are looking to pivot from the standing sports schedule.

OTHER NEWS

Superintendent Keith Campbell presented his report which included a brief discussion about next school year’s proposed four-day school week. “The application was submitted in March; we’re still waiting on approval from the Department of Education. They won’t look at it till April 30; we’re on hold until we know for sure,” said Campbell. 

The board is proceeding as if they are approved and is conducting a survey about the schedule for Fridays. Seeking feedback of what parents are interested in regarding childcare, the Beyond the Bell program, food service and the impacts on transportation for the district. After taking feedback, the board will finalize their plans for elementary-age services offered on Fridays when there will not be school. 

– The board is looking at their current polices and what needs to be updated after they were sent an audit by the Wyoming School Board Association. The polices will be reviewed in upcoming meetings. 

– Former superintendent Jory Thompson attended the MSU-B job fair in Billings on behalf of BHCSD4 to recruit teachers and staff to the district. 

– Greg Gloy discussed the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) program. As a member, the district helps to fund the Northwest BOCES program that assists at-risk youth who have behavior difficulties and need support that public school can’t offer. Located in Thermopolis, Northwest BOCES has a day program and a residential facility that provides structured education, therapy and support to help K-8 students reach their full potential.  

– The Basin Recreation Department was discussed, and it was announced Nikki Hopkin has been approved to run the summer pool program. They reviewed a possible Tuesday through Saturday schedule and currently have five lifeguards lined up to work this summer. 

– Special education teacher Abby Willette made a presentation with an overview of the Life Skills class and the functional opportunities for the students. Including their efforts of making dog treats, bracelets and cookies. A start to finish process where the students learn grocery shopping, making, baking, and delivery of items. “It allows the students to interact with the community in a controlled environment,” said Willette. “The community sees the value in what we’re doing.” 

Money raised helps to fund the students to go bowling in Worland where they practice, “It’s their main sport for Special Olympics, said Willette. 

– Jensen presented the booster club report. “We don’t have as much money as we’ve had in the past, we bought the new brackets for the senior banners downtown, but we won’t have that cost again,” he said. “They look nice downtown but it’s one of the things we spent money on this year so we can display them appropriately.” 

The club also sponsored ice cream floats for WY-TOPP celebrations. Jensen proposed spending money on football pants for the military appreciation football game next October. The high school students would buy their own customized jerseys that they can keep; Jensen asked the board if the booster club can help fund the pants. “In my seven years here, the military appreciation game is important,” said Jensen. 

– Kristen Schlattmann reviewed her work with the State Board of Education. “The legislative session was busy,” she said. “We’re working on the same things I talked about in the past. One of the bigger things in the next few months is guidance for graduation standards. I’m working on getting input and having conversations with other districts. I’m looking forward to it.”

– The district’s strategic plan was discussed. “I think it turned out pretty well and we’ll put that out to as many places as we can,” said Jensen. 

– An approval of agendas, expenditures and the financial reports were discussed including non-resident student applications. The board accepted the resignation of Special Education teacher Abby Willette. 

– The board went into executive session twice during the meeting. 

– Coaching recommendations for the next school year began. While some spots still need to be filled, most were renewed and approved as follows:

High School

Head High School Football Coach - Matt Jensen

Assistant High School Football Coach - Cash Duncan

Head High School Volleyball Coach - Cindi Smith

Assistant High School Volleyball Coach - Nikki Hopkin

Head High School Girls Basketball Coach - Mark Hamilton

Assistant High School Girls Basketball Coach - Nikki Hopkin

Head High School Boys Basketball Coach - Scott Winters

Assistant High School Boys Basketball Coach - Cash Duncan

Co-Head Boys/Girls Track Coaches - Katie Winters and Toby Wood

Middle School

Assistant Middle School Volleyball Coach - Keri DeFord

Head Middle School Football Coach - Stuart DesRosier

Assistant Middle School Football Coach - Chad Lindsay

Head Middle School Girls Basketball Coach - Alexis Duncan

Assistant Middle School Girls Basketball Coach - Kristen Brown

Head Middle School Boys Basketball Coach - Calvin Brown

Assistant Middle School Boys Basketball Coach - Travis Rapp