Preferential use, but at a price

School board reconsiders rec district deal

The Big Horn County School District No. 4 board tabled a decision on a Basin Recreation District Use Agreement at its April 8 meeting following concerns about the school’s ability to continue its annual contribution to the rec district. 

Riverside Middle and High School Principal Matt Jensen explained that the school district has allocated $10,000 to the rec district since it left the old school building to the Basin Community Center about five years ago. 

At their March meeting, school board member Greg Gloy had moved to deny the Basin Recreation District Use Agreement, which resulted in a renegotiation of the contract led by Jensen. 

“The one thing we discussed quite a bit was that contract and letting everyone know that the school district can’t obligate $10,000 every year. We don’t know if we’re going to have money to do that,” Jensen said. 

“I think the goal for everybody is to make the rec district independent or have enough finances coming in that they don’t have to worry all the time about money that’s coming from the town or money that’s coming from the school.” 

If the school continues to provide funding, the rec district will continue to give the school preferential use of its facilities, Jensen explained. However, should the funding not come through, paying customers will be prioritized. 

Ultimately the board concluded that a decision could not be made until they had their preliminary budget in May, with the expectation that a final decision would be reached before the end of the fiscal year so both entities could complete their budgets.

AG TEACHER SHUFFLE

The board accepted the resignation of ag teacher Ashley Spatz as of April 21. Tony Anson will take over for the last five weeks of school, with the 10-day substitute rate waived for a step 1 teacher’s salary. Aleah Russell was approved as the new ag teacher hire. 

CONSTRUCTION APPROVED FOR $243K

Construction of Riverside High School’s concession stand and field restrooms was approved at $243,620 including a $56,220 contingency. Business Manager Trevor Whitaker is acting as a makeshift general contractor in an effort to save the district money, gathering individual bids for concrete, framing, wiring and plumbing and ordering some materials. The board gave Whitaker approval to act within the confines of the $243k budget, with three of four bids already in and on-budget. 

CELL PHONE POLICY

Jensen presented potential changes to the district’s cell phone policy, which would require middle school students to keep their cell phones in their lockers but allow high school students to keep them on their persons, turning them in as they come into class. 

“We don’t want [cell phones] to be a distraction, but let’s be honest, it’s a part of life, right, they’re not going away … Learning that skill on when to and how to properly use them is, I think, what we’re trying to get at on the high school level,” Jensen said. 

The cell phone ban would have exemptions for students to access their phones in emergency or extraneous situations – to check their blood sugar, for example -- with teacher approval. There was also discussion about limiting devices not owned by the school district from accessing the Wi-Fi network in an effort to monitor online activity and prevent security breaches. 

Staff will continue to mull how repeat cell phone offenders will be handled, with limited supervision available for in-school suspension. 

TEACHER REQUESTS

Superintendent Jory Thompson presented requests from staff to be considered. These included the possibility of a four-day school week, paid maternity leave, Laura Irwin Elementary adopting trimesters rather than quarters, and paraeducators taking on more hours. Teachers also requested a change in professional development day scheduling, as they are currently exceeding requirements. No action was taken at this time. 

GRADUATION STANDARDS

Board member Kristen Schlattman informed the board on potential changes to the State Board of Education’s Chapter 31. Additions would include graduation standards – a measure of competencies -- separate from graduation requirements – a credit-based quota. 

Local control would allow districts to determine how standards are met. Some schools, such as Lovell High School, have already implemented this practice through senior capstone projects. 

Schlattman encouraged Basin board members, educators and the public to comment on the matter to inform the state board. 

OTHER NEWS:

New hires will include social studies teacher Ira Mickelson, high school special education teacher Dana Romreill, elementary school special education teacher Randi Lynn Noble and art teacher Megan Kestner

The board accepted the resignation of custodian Joe Holloway 

Whittaker noted that food costs will be something to look for in the coming budget as last year’s budget of $90,000 has already reached $110,000 in expenses

Enrollment is up for the first time in recent memory

Coaching and extra duty recommendations were approved

A new scoreboard was quoted at $20,000, without a timer for track which would need to be added separately. The board accepted its purchase 

A quote on ransomware protection was expected in the coming weeks

A special board meeting was scheduled for Tuesday to discuss construction