Title IX investigation concluded

LIE receives low equity score

Big Horn County School District No. 4 will take no further action on a Title IX investigation following an executive session at the Tuesday, Sept. 9 board meeting. The investigation reportedly took place from the end of last school year through the summer. It has now concluded, Superintendent Keith Campbell reported, and requires no further action. 

LIE ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT

Laura Irwin Elementary School ranked “Partially Meets” on its Wyoming Department of Education Accountability Report for the second year in a row, Principal Katie Seeley said. The assessment was divided into Achievement, in which LIE scored 58.6% for “Meets Target,” Growth, scored 58.3% for “Meets Target,” and Equity, scored 44.6%, ranking below average. 

Seeley explained that Equity in the assessment is defined as the ability of lowest performing students to grow at the same rate as their peers. LIE scored 2.9% away from meeting average. 

Thirty percent of the K-12 student body in Riverside is identified as special education students, one of the highest in the state. In the middle and high school, 29% of students have an Individualized Education Program, with 16% of K-5 students on an IEP. That totals 73 students. 

“That just kind of gives you an idea of how hard our special education staff is working,” Seeley said to the board. Riverside Middle High School met or exceeded average in Equity. 

Seeley plans to work with Campbell on an improvement plan to be presented in November. 

BASIN WOULD REMAIN 1A IN REDISTRICTING PLAN

A final decision on redistricting throughout the state is expected in October, Campbell reported. The initial proposal, a cooperative effort between superintendents and athletics directors, would have 16 schools in 4A, 16 in 3A, 18 in 2A and 20 in 1A. Riverside would be ranked the third or fourth largest 1A school by student population through this measure. 

“Another thing they’ve talked about, is they would really like to get on the same page for all sports so you’re not switching for basketball, track, football,” Campbell said. Football is up in the air, with 1A currently including six and nine-man teams, nine-man spanning 1A and 2A. 

Cindi Smith asked Campbell about adding on a third volleyball coach for the third squad, which he passed forward for the board to consider. Policy indicates a third coach would currently require 30 students on the team, which Campbell asked the board to consider for future action. 

OTHER NEWS

Homecoming week will be held Sept. 29 through Oct. 3, with the parade scheduled to go through town at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2. 

Gibbs Field, the school’s new football/athletic field, will have a dedication ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 17 in honor of Basin coach and teacher Jim Gibbs. 

Public comment is still open on the district’s proposed concealed carry rule change, with a decision to be made at the Oct. 14 board meeting. Comments may be submitted in writing to keith.campbell@bgh4.k12.wy.us before that time. 

The school board unanimously approved a student expulsion following executive session. 

Cindi Smith was appointed as WHSAA representative for the district. 

The board hired Alexis Duncan as assistant middle school volleyball coach and Aubrey Owen for transportation and maintenance. 

Business Manager Trevor Whittaker reported garage doors are in the works for school construction projects. Projects are currently on-budget. He asked to move $100,000 from the general fund to the capital fund for data to the new grandstand and scoreboard installation. 

The decision on a contract for an updated strategic plan for the school was tabled pending harder quotes.