School Board approves staffing recommendations

All Hot Springs County School Board members were present for the November 12 meeting.

For monthly celebrations, Dave Manning was recognized as the staff member of the month. Tom Kochler was the teacher of the month for November. Tyler Cornwell was recognized for earning a spot on the 2015 Super 25 high school football team. The winners of the RWE Barracuda Postcard contest were recognized. Winners include: Mac McCumber, kindergarten; Annalyn Sharp, 1st grade; Erin Calloway, 2nd grade; Brailee DeVries, 3rd grade and Kianna Mailloux, 4th grade.

Tyler Cornwell presented the student trustee update to the board. With the end of the fall sports season, Cornwell stated that while it did not end as well as they hoped he was very proud of the teams. Also, the student council is going to begin recognizing teachers every quarter. Students will nominate a teacher and provide information on how the teacher has made an impact on them.

Ralph Witters Elementary Principal Debbie Brown reported the elementary PAWS results from the spring of 2015 exceeded the state average at all levels. RWE was also listed as meeting expectations on WDE Accountability Measures. Brown said the elementary saw 98% attendance from parents during parent/teacher conferences and 167 people attended the last family fun night.

Hot Springs County High School Principal Scott Shoop told the board about his day filling in for Mrs. Deromedi, a 6th grade teacher at Thermopolis Middle School. TMS Principal Breez Daniels will be filling in for bus driver AnnMarie Bilek and will give her report at the December board meeting.

The board approved a number of staffing recommendations. They accepted the resignation of Jessyca Rodriguez as the Lights On Assistant, effective November 13, 2015. They approved a $1,000 stipend for Shannon Hill, Cassie Hetzel, Kay Uffelman, Jody Kummerfeld and Sonja Holm as mentors for 2015-2016. The board also approved a $500 stipend for Catie Deromedi as mentor for 2015-2016. A $2,000 stipend was approved for London Jenks as mentor for 2015-2016.

A request for an additional transportation position from Colleen Anderson and Jerry Bowman was presented to the board. The duties for this position would include bus driving as well as helping with mechanic maintenance. With the move to 3A next year there will be additional travel; and with potential retirements and added maintenance, it will be good to prepare. The motion was passed with all in favor.

The board passed the use of Chamber Bucks as a thank you to staff members.

Superintendant Dustin Hunt reported to the board that moving to 3A for activities will affect the monthly absence report and a new baseline will have to be set based on next years numbers.

The board moved into executive session to discuss the superintendent evaluation and personnel. The board returned from executive session over an hour later. The meeting was then adjourned for the evening.