New board member appointed for School District No. 1

Big Horn County School District No. 1 wasted no time during their June 13 meeting in appointing a new school board member for the Burlington-Otto Area, a seat which became vacant on May 15 upon the resignation of Jessie Hamilton.
After interviewing two candidates, the board chose Craig Jones as the interim board member to fulfill Hamilton’s term. The board voted unanimously (with the exception of Dave Banks’ excused absence) to accept Jones, and chairman Josh Bassett administered the oath of office.
With gratitude and great sadness, superintendent Matt Davidson paid tribute to the life and contributions of Dory Cauffman, who tragically died in a horse accident on June 9. She worked in the Burlington Schools library for 27 years. Her devotion to learning and her love of books “cultivated a warm, caring environment where students loved to be,” Davidson said, adding, “She got to know each student personally and had a kindly interaction with each.”
Superintendent Davidson expressed the district’s condolences to her family and announced services for her on June 22 at 10 a.m. in the Burlington Gymnasium.
Resignations from Macey Bernstein, Burlington custodian, and Kelsi Lohof, RMES teacher, were accepted.
Transfers were approved for the following employees: Desiree’ Crosby to BES part-time elementary teacher (continuing as part-time counselor); Kari Sue Whicker to District Case Manager part-time and BHS special education teacher part-time; Sami Poulson to BHS special education teacher; and Kelsie Nelson to BES full-time elementary special education paraprofessional.
Approved as new personnel are the following: Morgan Haley, RMMHS ag/science teacher; Madison Grandalen, RMMS assistant middle school basketball coach (pending certification); Melissa Harrington, BHS National Honor Society advisor; Cheyanne Jordan, BHS assistant high school volleyball coach (pending certification); David Maust, Burlington custodian; Delaney Neves, Kaden Clark, Porter May and Riley Moorehead as summer bus care workers.
The board recognized the accomplishments of the district’s athletes at State Track and the Rimrock Football Camp. The Burlington boys track team were the state champions for Class 1A,  and the Burlington girls track team placed fourth.
Individuals recognized for their performances at State Track were: Howard McNiven, 2nd place 3200m Run; Paul McNiven, 2nd place 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles; Weston Gotfredson, 2nd place high jump and pole vault; Kyler Winters, 1st place pole vault; Linnie McNiven, 2nd place 1600m run and 3200m run; MacKelle Moss, 1st place high jump, 3rd place 400m run, 4th place 200m run; Brittly Boettcher, 8th place 100m run and 100m hurdles; Tarynn Schoening, 5th place pole vault; Keylee Christiansen, 8th place pole vault; Rylee Winland, 5th place ahot put; Elliahna Scheeler, 2nd place discus; Brittly Boettcher, MacKelle Moss, Shelby Wambeke and Kaitey Christensen, 4th place 4 x 100 relay.
Recognized at the Rimrock Football Camp were the following: John Mader as Outstanding Underclassman Lineman; Joaquin Scheeler as Outstanding Underclassman Skill Player; Scheeler, Mader, and Mason Moss  2nd in the 3 on 3 competition; Joe Bassett, Rykael Andrews and Brikton Wardell as 1st in the 3 on 3 competition, varsity level.
During a discussion of the District Strategic Framework, the focus was on facilities and the importance of maintaining a healthy environment. With this in mind, the following projects were presented: RMMHS will receive a new top to the track; Burlington will have all new locks installed, a new top to their track and new blacktop; RMES is in the early stages of an updated HVAC System and a has a new marquee; the district office has a new sidewalk on the west side, and will get new blacktop.
A board work meeting will be held on June 27 at 6 p.m. with a special year end board meeting to follow at 7:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the boardroom at the district office in Cowley.
Other business conducted at the meeting included approval of all warrants written May 9 – June 13, 2024, with Chairman Bassett abstaining on the warrant written June 13, 2024.  Administrative reports, a self-evaluation of community relations, the May budget report, the preliminary budget for ’24-25, a book study discussion, approval of policies on first and second readings, non-resident student application approvals, the approval of WY Connections Academy’s salary schedule and signing a disclosure of interest gobbled up the rest of the meeting.