BHC School District 4 Staff of the Year recognized

Big Horn County School District #4 held their monthly meeting last Tuesday, May 12. 

The meeting kicked off with staff of the year awards. Certified staff of the year was given to fifth-grade teacher Chere Knotwell. Classified staff of the year went to paraprofessional Dion Isbel. 

Knotwell’s class then gave a student presentation to the board of trustees about their recent experience with a mock trial and tour of the jail. The field trip was a hands-on tool to help the students understand the judicial system in a fun new way. “This is something that we look forward to all year, and it really brings to life learning about the Constitution and the branches of government, and actually being able to see it in action,” she said. 

The court shutdown business for the day allowing the students to hold a mock trial. “Judge (Bobbi) Overfield is passionate and blocks her calendar a year in advance,” said Knotwell. “She loves to do this stuff and is very supportive.” 

During the mock trial, a fictional character named Dorothy was accused of stealing Nike blazers and second-degree murder of a wicked witch. Students took on the roles of defense attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, the jury and witnesses included munchkins, monkeys and a wizard to name a few. 

In closing, the jury found Dorothy not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 

The students also sang a rendition of a School House Rock song as part of their presentation and highlighted items they learned. “My favorite part was the tour of the jail,” said fifth-grader Cydney Brown.

Matt Jensen’s principal report included a final draft for updating the grading policy for next schoolyear. “This gets us moving towards student’s knowledge of the content not compliance,” he said. 

The policy will be reviewed over the summer and is set to be added to the student handbook. In short, it is geared towards subject material versus standards-based grading. Board members agreed the move will be better for the school, the students and parents.

Jensen also gave an update on middle school sports. “We need to move around girls’ sports, so we don’t have conflicts,” he said. “Everyone is concerned with the future of activities, especially larger schools, with the budget deficit.”

The school will not make any changes until the 2027/2028 school year noting any change made will likely increase the number of coaches that will need to be hired. 

Superintendent Keith Campbell chimed in noting that the group wants to wait to see regionally how the fallout affects other schools. “We’re in good shape and we’re expanding in adding golf with Greybull,” he said. That cost will be split with Greybull’s Big Horn County School District #3. “We’re not in a position where we’re worried about cutting activities but that doesn’t mean we’re not concerned,” Campbell added. 

Possible changes could include cutting back on long distance trips and playing games closer to home. 

On the topic of new hires, Campbell said the school district is starting to attract better candidates and has received more applicants for open positions. The district is increasing starting wages and noted the appeal of the future four-day school week. It was mentioned that 16 people applied for the kindergarten teacher position. 

The Basin Recreation Board has voted to put Nikki Hopkin in charge of the swimming pool. Six lifeguards have been hired. They have not set a date for the pool to open but said that swimming lessons will be offered this summer. Additionally, the rec board is seeking to hire a part time year-round coordinator for the recreation department.

Kristen Schlattmann presented her report on the State Board of Education. She recently attended a meeting where career and technical education (CTE) and work-based learning was discussed. “People are really being creative in these very small towns to get kids experiences that are actually quality meaningful experiences that can be evaluated,” Schlattmann said. 

“The WDE (Wyoming Department of Education) is working right now with the Wyoming Business Alliance to coordinate because there’s so many groups within Wyoming that are working on CTE and those kinds of experiences for kids and they’re just kind of trying to bring everybody together and there’s going to be a lot of guidance coming,” she added. 

All 48 districts in the state are offering work-based learning. “Eight years ago, it wasn’t even half that,” Schlattmann said. “We’re all making progress.” 

After a brief executive session, where the trustees discussed personnel issues and non-resident student applications, they reconvened to discuss renewal of positions. 

It was announced the hiring of Nikonia Nabozney as an English teacher, Matthew Schlichting as a CTE teacher, and Sarah High as the kindergarten teacher. 

The contract for athletic director Cindi Smith was renewed along with coach Ira Mickelson for middle and high school wrestling. 

Discussion then pivoted to several amendments to school board policies. Including equal opportunity employment, drug free workplace, drug free awareness policy, alcohol and controlled substance testing, and staff military leave. Policies will be updated on the district’s website. 

The group reviewed and approved the preliminary budget for the 2026/2027 schoolyear. With business manager Trevor Whitaker absent, discussion was brief. The final budget will be reviewed in July. 

Campbell told the board the district’s alternative schedule has been approved by the Wyoming Department of Education. The accepted schedule will last for two school years. “At the end of each year, we’ll have to submit basically a report to the state that shows that we’ve met our goals and objectives for our program application,” he added.