Incumbents have clear path to reelection in Basin school board race

There are more expiring seats than there are candidates to fill them in Big Horn County School District No. 4.

Incumbents Linda Osmond, holder of an at-large seat, and Kristen Schlattmann and Heath Hopkin, who represent Area J-Basin, were the only filers and will be running unopposed for re-election in Tuesday’s general election. 

No one filed for the four-year term to represent Area K/L Manderson-Hyattville.

Osmond did not respond to the newspaper’s questionnaire.

Since all three of you are incumbents, why did you join the board in the first place, what have you learned that you did not know, and why would you like to continue by serving another term?

Heath Hopkin: I initially joined the board to stay actively engaged with our community and to strengthen the relationship between the school board and the public. I felt that my experience could contribute to both the success of our school district and the wellbeing of our community. During my time on the board, I’ve learned firsthand the truth of the saying “it takes a village” when it comes to education.   I want to continue serving because I believe in the leadership of our superintendent, school board members and dedicated staff, all of whom are committed to putting our children’s best interests first.

Kristen Schlattmann: My first term on the school board started in December 2016. The reasons I decided to run in 2016 are the same reasons I continue to have an interest in serving on this Board: I see the value and importance of a strong public school education for kids and the role it plays in the health of our whole community. When I first joined the board I had two kids still in school so had a vested interest in supporting the District. Now that my kids have all graduated, I still feel that I have a vested interest. We all do: these kids are our future leaders, entrepreneurs, service providers -- the people who will make sure there is food to put on our tables. District stakeholders should have meaningful input into defining our District’s goals and mission to ensure that the needs of all kids are met, that there is accountability to kids and the community, and that it reflects our community’s values. I can’t possibly name all that I’ve learned since joining this Board in 2016, but here are a few highlights: (1) School finance — where education dollars come from, how it is allocated among the schools, how it affects our local budget, and the importance of vision and advocacy at the State level. (2) The amount of pressure and numerous expectations put on educators (to me “educator” includes every person who has contact with our kids in the school — not just certified teachers) by federal and state law and regulation, as well as parents and community members, to meet certain defined and undefined standards that are constantly shifting under their feet. (3) How much time our educators give outside of the school day to their own continuous learning and ensuring our kids have multiple opportunities for growth in various areas (academics, art, sport, trade skills, communication skills, etc.).

Please tell us about your background and your connection to the schools. How have your personal and work experiences helped you thus far on the school board?

Heath Hopkin: I’m proud to be born and raised in Basin, and I graduated from Basin High School in 1985. Afterward, I attended Casper College and Northwest College in Powell. My wife, Nikki (Plambeck) Hopkin and I have three wonderful daughters: Hadley (13), Hudsyn (11), and Harmony (9). For over three decades, I’ve worked for MI SWACO, a Schlumberger company, where I’ve served as maintenance/fleet supervisor for 24 years and as minerals mine manager for three years. I also had the honor of serving on the Basin Town Council from 2000-2012, when I gained valuable experience overseeing departments such as water and sewer, electrical and the Basin police.  I have served on our school board for the past eight years and had the pleasure of serving as the board chairman for the last four years. Through both my career and my time serving on the town council and the school board, I’ve developed skills in budgeting, infrastructure, and personnel management, which have proven valuable on the school board. I’m also an active member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and BPOE Clubs, further connecting me to our community.

Kristen Schlattmann: I’ve lived in Basin since 2008 when my family moved back here to be closer to family. I am a criminal defense attorney for the Wyoming Public Defender’s Office. My husband, Mark, and I have three kids who all attended school here, graduating from Riverside High School in 2016, 2018, and 2023. For the reasons noted above, I continue to have an interest in the school in our community. When I first joined the school board, my experience as a parent of K-12 kids shaped my frame of reference and I considered the issues coming before the board through that lens for the most part. I am now the parent of a trade school graduate, a college graduate, and a current college student. Having this perspective and seeing how my own kids’ K-12 education has helped shape their subsequent academic and work experiences is also valuable. My involvement with my church community and a local chapter of a philanthropic educational organization for women underscores for me the need for meaningful, positive education opportunities in our ever increasing global community. I also serve on the Wyoming State Board of Education which has given me new insight and opportunity to learn about education on a different and equally as important level. I think having that experience as a State Board of Education member and being involved in discussions about education on a “macro” level helps me better understand our local issues. Finally, my role as a defense attorney for adults and juveniles helps me understand challenges and barriers some of our community members face that have a direct effect on learning and the whole education experience. I think having that perspective is important as we help lead this District by developing and defining its goals and mission to serve all kids.

What are key challenges facing the school district at this time? What do you expect them to be in the next 2-4 years? And how would you like the school board to approach solving them?

Heath Hopkin: The biggest challenge our school district faces is the reduction in our budget due to the loss of federal funding. With upcoming changes in legislative appointments, we will need to closely monitor how the state supports Wyoming’s school districts, as this will significantly impact our financial situation.  In the next two to four years, it will be essential to maintain a positive and supportive atmosphere for both staff and students. By doing so, we can retain high-quality educators and continue providing the best education possible for our students.

Kristen Schlattmann: Two issues that I think represent challenges for this district are: (1) teacher satisfaction and retention, and (2) ensuring that we have the resources to provide students with meaningful, relevant, and rigorous experiences that prepare them for success outside of the classroom and life after K-12 education, whether that be in the workforce, a trade school, or college. Neither of these challenges are new or unique to this district, but they have been and should continue to be a focus for district leadership. I think these issues and school finance will remain challenges in the next 2-4 years as well. Ongoing and open-minded dialogue with administration, staff, and stakeholders is critical to addressing all these challenges and to develop creative solutions that are student centered. I also think regularly reviewing and revising (when necessary) a common vision of what we hope Riverside’s graduates will look like upon graduation, and the related goals to achieve that vision, is important. 

Do you have any closing thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?

Heath Hopkin: I pride myself on being a person of integrity who values strong communication and listening skills. I believe in collaboration and standing up for what is right for our students, teachers, and staff. My motto is simple: “You’re only as good as the people around you.” With 31 years of combined experience in budgeting and personnel management—24 of those years at MI SWACO, 12 years serving on the Basin Town Council, and eight years serving on our school board (four years as the board chairman)—I have developed the skills necessary to lead effectively. I am committed to being approachable, listening to the concerns of our community, and leading by example. I would love to see continued improvements in communication between the school district and the public, as well as greater community involvement in our schools. Most importantly, I want to be a strong advocate for our students, teachers, staff, and the entire community.

Kristen Schlattmann: Our school board acts as a collective body, and I feel like we constantly strive to do what is best for the students with every decision we make. In considering how best to serve our students, I think teacher satisfaction and retention is critical for our students’ success. We have a district full of outstanding educators who care deeply about their students. We want them to stay, and when we need to hire for a position, we want to attract the very best candidates. As more and more demands are placed on our educators, I think it is incumbent upon the school board to be aware of the challenges they face and to be willing to explore what we can do at the local level to increase and maintain satisfaction. I look forward to being a part of those conversations (and more), and I hope to continue to be able to represent our community and its values on the school board.