Four-day school week remains under consideration in District No. 1

The Big Horn County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees addressed a wide range of issues during its June meeting last Thursday, including the possible adoption of a four-day school week, updates to student handbooks, legislative education issues and personnel matters for the upcoming school year. 

The school board is continuing to explore the possibility of a four-day school week beginning in 2027-28 and plans to start the state approval process. Trustees emphasized that no final decision has been made and that there will be several opportunities for public input before any change is adopted.

As part of the review, the district is studying the potential impact on student learning, attendance, special education services and extracurricular activities. Officials are also examining how a four-day schedule could affect families, particularly issues involving childcare, supervision, meals and transportation on Fridays.

The board is also reviewing staffing, transportation, activity schedules and whether a four-day week would produce meaningful cost savings. A key question remains as to what Fridays would look like, including whether intervention programs, activities, transportation, meals or staff work days would still be provided.

The board approved updated student handbooks for Rocky Mountain Elementary and Rocky Mountain Middle/High School for the 2026-27 school year. Several of the changes reflect issues schools are facing nationwide including student cell phone use, artificial intelligence, attendance and cyberbullying.

At the middle and high school level, the district adopted stricter attendance procedures. Students with excessive absences may be placed on attendance contracts requiring them to make up missed instructional time during lunch, after school or on Fridays. Students receiving tardies will also be assigned lunch detention the following school day.

The district also updated its technology policies. New rules place additional restrictions on cell phones, smart watches, earbuds and other electronic devices during instructional time. 

The handbooks now specifically address the use of artificial intelligence programs such as ChatGPT, making it clear that AI-generated work may not be submitted as a student’s own and that misuse may be treated as an academic integrity violation.

Another significant change is expanded language regarding bullying and harassment. The revised policies specifically include social media, text messages and other electronic communications and clarify that serious off-campus cyberbullying may be subject to school discipline if it substantially disrupts the educational environment.

Other updates include revisions to the activity substance abuse policy, clarification of dress code standards, additional safety procedures and new guidance for parents regarding transportation, school communication and student conduct expectations. 

The elementary handbook also notes that Principal Eric Honeyman will send weekly emails to parents highlighting upcoming events and school activities.

Superintendent Matt Davidson reported on several issues discussed during the recent Joint Education Legislative Committee meeting in Casper. One topic was the state’s new $10 million investment in dual enrollment courses. While community colleges have proposed opening dual enrollment opportunities to all students in grades 9-12, Davidson noted that “there are concerns about this approach. Many freshmen may not be ready for college coursework.” He added that educators are also concerned about how expanded dual enrollment opportunities could affect high school elective offerings.

Davidson also addressed the ongoing discussion about school discipline. He told legislators that “parents should be a part of the process and share some of the responsibility for student behavior,” adding that “it would be nice if there were resources for young families when children are beginning to develop social skills and a literacy foundation.”

Other topics discussed by the committee included possible changes to Wyoming education standards, including discussions about increasing physical education requirements and a review of virtual education funding. 

The school board also approved several new hires for the coming school year. Rocky Mountain High School added Heather Pittman as a special education teacher and Ethan Crawford as assistant wrestling coach. Rocky Mountain Elementary hired Whitney Hopkins, Talli Larsen and LeAndra Rasmussen for special education and Title I support positions. 

At Rocky Mountain Middle School, Kirby Winland was hired as assistant boys basketball coach, Mindy Mickelson as head cross country coach and Rachel Bitton as assistant wrestling coach.

The board also accepted the resignation of Tobee Christiansen as the head high school track coach. In addition, Laura Mills was approved for a transfer from assistant cook to a special education paraprofessional position at RMES, where she will work 35.75 hours per week.