Tim Bessette

The board celebrated the 4A Boys State Wrestling Champions and received an academic report from Sage Valley Junior High School. Discussion topics included an update on the development of a cell phone and smart device policy, a status report from the Attendance Area Committee, and the ratification of various financial warrants. The board approved several bids and quotes for district projects, including school facility repairs, software licensing, and device replacements. Additionally, the board approved personnel actions, a representative appointment for the Wyoming School Boards Association Insurance Trust, a student expulsion, and reviewed the proposed capital projects list for FY27 alongside facility and legislative updates.

The meeting commenced with the presentation of the Wyoming School Boards Association Certified Senior Master Board Member Award to the Chairman. Celebrations recognized a student winner of the Mayor's Annual Christmas Pin contest, achievements of ESL students, and recognition of State Sports Champions and All-State Band and Choir students. Academic reports were shared for Meadowlark Elementary and Little Powder Elementary. Key administrative actions included the reorganization and election of officers, establishing future meeting schedules, designating depositories and the official newspaper, and the re-adoption of district policies. Legal counsel designations were made for the current year and the following year. Trustees were appointed to various board committees. Human Resources actions included approving new hires, transfers, resignations, and substitute teachers, along with approving extra duty recommendations and resignations. Warrants were ratified and approved, and several bids and quotes for facility improvements (concrete, boiler replacement, flooring) and property sale were approved. Contracts and agreements, including those related to Special Education, were approved. A resolution was adopted authorizing administration to issue and release warrants to conduct normal business between scheduled board meetings. Two student expulsions were approved. A resolution was passed to authorize the accounting department to pay recurring operational charges when due dates precede the next scheduled board meeting. An overview of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for 2024-2025 was presented and accepted with no findings. The facility update covered progress on several projects including the Facility Plan Review, Aquatic Center completion, Little Powder construction finalization, and the bid phase for Cottonwood HVAC. Final approval was granted for Administrative Regulation 4341-R, Section 4, concerning Armed Educator Compensation and Reimbursement, which includes a $500 stipend. The session concluded with public comments, trustee celebrations, and an executive session for personnel discussion.

The special dinner meeting focused on two primary discussion topics. The first involved the CC Semi-quincentennial Presentation, where committee members provided updates on the 'Celebrate Campbell County: America 250' initiative, including a logo contest for 6th-grade students, a time capsule project for the class of 2026, and future installations of metal designs by the CTE program. The second topic addressed the 'Grow Your Own Teacher' initiative, intended to recruit new educators amidst a national shortage. Discussions included providing college courses, evaluating funding structures (potentially via a new BOCHES), expanding student teacher participation, and assisting with housing costs for student teachers. The Board agreed to create a recruitment committee to explore these options.

The discussion during the dinner meeting centered on an enrollment update. A review was conducted of Policy 5035 concerning Attendance Areas and Attendance Area Change Requests, detailing the guidelines and procedures for boundary adjustments, which require Board approval for major changes. Procedures for requesting an attendance area change were presented, including a demonstration of the interactive map used to determine a student's assigned school based on address. Current enrollment numbers for feeder schools into junior highs and high schools were reviewed, along with their future impact. No formal action was taken by the board.

The meeting consisted solely of a tour of the Lakeway Learning Center. No formal action was taken by the Board during this session.