District One board renews superintendent’s contract, reports breach of privacy

Board members unanimously agreed to renew Superintendent Matt Davidson’s two-year contract for the second year during the regular meeting Thursday of the Big Horn County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees.

 According to board president Joseph Bassett, the state requires the board to conduct a formal annual evaluation of the superintendent’s overall effectiveness. Bassett said, “We feel like Superintendent Davidson has worked really hard to improve the district and has worked closely with board members and administrators to move the district forward and not become complacent. We evaluate every year to make sure all is in place for the youth and their education.”

In December 2024, Big Horn School District #1 was affected by the cyberattack that targeted PowerSchool, an innovative K-12 software system used by the district. PowerSchool supports more than 60 million students and has more than 18,000 customers worldwide. The breach lasted approximately one week, exposing names and addresses of students and educators, as well as more sensitive information like Social Security numbers, medical data and grades. The district reported that PowerSchool has hired a third party, CrowdStrike, to investigate what happened, the damage incurred and to assure that it will not happen again.

As victims are identified, BHCSD1 will be responsible to contact them and explain how the breached data will be managed.

“It is a concern any time data is stolen; the intent is always malicious,” Davidson said. “We anticipate there will be some phishing to try and deceive people into doing other things. PowerSchool will offer credit monitoring to those whose data was compromised, and they will work to make it right in that regard.”

Board members discussed the growth of homeschooling in Wyoming and in the Big Horn Basin. In the 2023-2024 school year, Wyoming saw an 8% increase in homeschooling, an all-time high. State statute allows for in-district homeschooled students to participate in co-curricular activities. However, it is the local school board’s decision whether or not to allow out-of-district homeschooled students to participate in co-curricular activities.

Presently, BHCSD1 requires that out-of-district homeschooled students are registered for at least one class if they are to participate in co-curricular activities. As the board revisits this policy, they are mindful of their objective to help educate all students. However, out-of-district students are participating without funding from the state. The district has to absorb those costs. Based on the state’s funding model, different sized schools receive funding on a three-year average of daily membership. If enrollment goes below that average, the whole district is impacted by the decrease in funds.

Board members plan to develop a process of communicating with homeschooled families to receive feedback on why they choose home schooling over public schooling, and to maintain supportive channels of interaction. BHCSD1 also expressed concern over several proposed legislative bills to be introduced when state legislators reconvene this month. Those bills include teaching without certification; concealed carry of firearms; length of summer vacation; banning cell phone use in school; and an amendment to the Hathaway scholarship that would require recipients to sign a commitment to work in the state for the number of years they accept the scholarship.

“These proposed bills should be a local decision on what works best for the community,” Davidson said. “We have elected school board members for a purpose. It feels like the state legislature is trying to take the role of local boards upon themselves.”

Burlington math teachers Luke Culwell and Lisa Winters presented their Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for students in Burlington middle and high schools. The MTSS model promotes intervention and enrichment in the area of mathematics. Tier 1 provides instruction for all students in a regular classroom setting. Intervention for Tier 2 focuses on remediation.

Data from test scores is considered to determine learning gaps. Students are then grouped in areas where additional instruction can be given. Tier 3 is designed to help students who are struggling with instruction and need more time and support with the teacher. Students are pulled from study skill time to receive that support. Enrichment for Tier 2 includes ACT practice; MathCounts, an extracurricular mathematics program designed to get students excited about math; and practical experience that requires students to use math skills in business, scaling recipes, designing truss bridges, patterns for weaving and the like. Tier 3 continues to work on MathCounts. Winters has been focused on improving Burlington’s seventh-grade test scores and is pleased to see their average is now in the 60-plus percentile on a national level.

Employees of the month were recognized for their outstanding efforts and contributions to the district. Keesha Herren/RMES is excelling in her third year as a special education teacher. Vicki Arnold/RMMHS teaches math at RMHS, middle school STEM and is the middle school Lego league advisor.

Eliza Stolk/Burlington is organized and knowledgeable in her work with upper elementary students. Beth Harman/WYCA is new to Wyoming Connections Academy this year. She offers support for middle school math students and is actively working with middle school teachers to strengthen Tier 1 support to students. The district office gave special recognition to Krystal Crosby as the project manager for the school-based mental health program from January 2022 to December 2024.

Crosby’s tenure was funded through COVID-19 money earmarked to provide access to mental health in rural areas. The district describes her as a “self-starter…consistently demonstrating initiative and foresight, addressing challenges before they become obstacles and ensuring the program’s success. Her ability to proactively manage and coordinate complex goals across five school districts, behavioral health partners and the Wyoming Department of Education was nothing short of remarkable. Krystal cares deeply about people. She sees each individual as deserving of respect and support, which has been evident in her interactions with staff, students and families.”

Crosby said the most significant change she witnessed because of the grant funding was “the improvement of community attitudes towards mental health,” adding, “Now, people are more willing to have conversations about what can we do for students. Those who have received training realize what a vital part an individual can be in a student’s life and how important that is.”

When asked what her wish list would be for mental health resources in the district, she said, “Increase the number of staff that are mental health first-aid trained, not solely for the benefit of students but because they are reaching more families.” She also felt it would be valuable for, “All schools K-12 to have a functioning MTSS-B (Multi-Tiered System of Support Behavior) in place, with time specifically slotted for behavior and mental health needs. Tier 1 would allow all students to be taught strategies for managing mental health. Tier 2 would address individual needs and support. Tier 3 would refer needed cases for counseling.”

Superintendent Davidson commented on the board’s monthly review of the district’s strategic framework, stating, “We do things to address the needs of all students in the district. We are always trying to evaluate how we are doing and have processes in place to determine that.”

The board reviewed policies related to state and federal programs administration and assignment and transfer of building administrators. The board also approved policy first readings for public participation at board meetings, school principal/building administrator, procurement policy and procedures and substance abuse testing. Policy second readings were approved and will be adopted. They include Unsafe School Option and Section 504 ADA Guidelines and Forms.

The Big Horn County School District #1 Recreation District met following the school board meeting. Board member terms and appointments for the recreation district were approved as follows: Jared Boardman, Deaver/Frannie seat, member, January 2025-2030; Craig Jones, Burlington/ Otto seat, member, January 2025-2027; Hiedi Christensen, Cowley seat, secretary/treasurer, January 2024-2029; AJ Rasmussen-Dickson, Byron seat, vice chairman, January 2025-2030; Joseph Bassett, at-large seat, chairman, January 2021-2026.

BHCSD1 will hold their next meeting at the Burlington School Library February 13 at 7 p.m.