Support shown for HSCSD#1 Superintendent Dustin Hunt

Amid reports that Hot Springs County School District (HSCSD) #1 Superintendent Dustin Hunt has been interviewing for jobs with a new district, a hand full of people spoke at the February board meeting to show support for Hunt.

Reports from two different sources indicate that Hunt received an interview with Big Horn County School District #2 and that the RE-1 Valley School Board, located in Logan County, Colorado, has selected Hunt as their new superintendent. As of the February HSCSD board meeting, no announcement had been made regarding Hunt’s future with our school district.

During public comments at the February meeting, trustee Nichole Weyer read a letter from Nicole Reid. It was in support of Superintendent Hunt and opposes Jean Skelton’s request for a payroll breakdown (see discussion on item H in this story).  

Sherri Pebbles, a staff member of Thermopolis Middle School (TMS), gave a letter of support for Hunt and said she became aware a board member wants access to all staff financials, including garnishments, court orders, etc. She said, “This is overstepping at the very least, and possibly illegal.” The letter also states that Hunt is applying to another district. 

Wade Holmes, fifth-grade teacher at TMS, who recently entered his fourth year in the district said this “is the best school district I have ever been part of” and said that he supports Hunt and that the district shows “world class hospitality,” and that “Superintendent Hunt epitomizes that hospitality.” 

Kee Elder, educator who supports Hunt, moved to Thermopolis in 2018 and testified about her family’s story of moving here where she began her teaching career. She said the staff of the district has “integrity and a sense of purpose” and “has a positive culture” and “that fosters unity and excellence”. 

Justine Whitt, TMS attendance and athletic director secretary, also supports Hunt. She spoke about her history and interaction with Hunt. She described Hunt’s support to teachers, staff and students and that “Mr. Hunt’s results speak for themselves.” 

Clay VanAntwerp, former board member, spoke on behalf of Hunt and spoke about the “evidence” of the district’s performance and the “support” for Hunt.

A discussion was held regarding a request from Trustee Jean Skelton, who was seeking detailed financial information about the district’s staff.

This discussion was about Item H on the agenda, about payroll and salary reports. Trustee Marshall Keller said that what was requested was authorized under the public records act. In his opinion, they “can’t stop anyone requesting that information”. The question was, is it as a board member or as an individual? Keller also recommended that staff get legal advice and determine what specific information can be released. 

Trustee Nichole Weyer countered saying she spoke with some state board people and that they explained this is “not our information” as it is a “second business information”. She also said there is a difference between “what you’re allowed to do and what ethically you should be doing.” Additionally, Weyer said that for this issue the “staff is stressed out” and that she received the most communications over this one compared to any other issue since she has been a board member.

Superintendent Hunt also explained that he finds himself in an “awkward position” about wanting to make sure the board is given information but not doing it in a wrong way or doing things for individuals but doing it for the board. Hunt added that he “doesn’t want his staff to do something wrong.”

Business Manager Jessica Beneifiel did some research and gave a presentation where she said that she is uncomfortable giving out garnishment information to those who vote on contracts. Benefiel presented both the district’s policy on personnel records and files and information directly out of statute on public records. Trustee Sherman Skelton stated that publishing a garnishment “would be personally identifiable information,” and that “statutorily we would be outside the law.”

 Trustee Jean Skelton expressed that as a school board member she is “responsible to the general public for the money we as a board are approving” and that she wants to know the details of the finances they approve of monthly. 

Trustee Webber brought up her concern of knowing salaries and additional stipends that go beyond a staff member’s contract.

Trustee Jennifer Axtell read some statute information about personal information and invasion of privacy. Additionally, she said to Trustee Jean Skelton, “I feel you’re investigating and you have ulterior motives first off.” The second item, Axtell, said that all the public can see the gross amount of pay for the staff position and that “you’re not allowed to see the net.” Additionally, Axtell said that all the board should see information, not just one board member.

During public comments, former board member Joe Martinez discussed how multiple board members ran in the last election on transparency. Martinez referred to policy H with payroll and salary and state statute and that staff salary shall be published as a gross amount without identification other than by category. Martinez also said that the clerk can sign checks, not just the treasurer and that no single board member has the right “to investigate anyone whenever they want.” 

The board came to the consensus that they should not do a report until they have some clarification about what is legal to be printed in the report and then have discussion on how to move forward if it is through a policy committee. This would be done in writing from legal counsel and they will use an example report.

In staff celebrations, TMS principal Luebbe introduced Emmy Hergert and said it was “bittersweet, she is no longer in our building and Hergert is “a very special educator and very, very good.” Hergert was named the2023 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. 

Hergert was present at the meeting and said, “Thank you for the honor” and that while she was a teacher at TMS she was “surrounded by a culture of learning” that “inspires and challenges me.” She credited the community for the award and asked the board to continue investing in educators. Also, she mentioned competitive salaries and that the cost of living rose dramatically. She added, “Salaries not kept up in pace, other districts offered more money.” She gave an example of a $12,500 pay increase. Hergert added about the respect for professionals, and not just numbers.

Hergert also said that her position was cut due to declining enrollment and that her new role is at home with children. She added that WYTOP is “not the point of my job, but it is a product of the work I put in” and that “helping students become problem solvers”. Herbert asked that leaders to “continue to step into our schools and support teachers and students” and “lead with solutions. Unity not division.”

High school principal Catelyn Deromedi gave the student trustee reports. Student council recently hosted a student council swap with Worland. Donkey basketball will be on April 26. The Wyoming Academic Challenge team will be at the state competition at Central Wyoming College on March 14. Robotics had their state competition in the first week of February. The National Honor Society will have games with the residents of the Pioneer Home and reading to the elementary students. The Yearbook and Journalism team submitted the cover for the next book and are working on pages.

In the Superintendent’s Report, Dustin Hunt said that in their recent monthly meeting they discussed the idea of a four-day week and the possibility of bringing it in. They discussed why they would potentially move to a four-day week. Hunt said one of the biggest reasons for it is that there is a substitute teacher shortage across the country. Another reason is it could be a piece to recruit and retain staff for more family time, a mental break, and more opportunities for appointments. 

Hunt discussed some myths and facts about a four-day week. First, he said it is not about saving money. The four-day week would be an 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. day. There will be 148 instructional days. There will also be professional development days. 

Regarding the concern of less instruction, Hunt said they have a required number of days to teach, which are 900 hours for elementary, 950 hours for middle school, and 1000 hours for highschool. The district must meet those number of hours no matter if the weeks are five days, four days, or another combination. “The hours are not negotiable.” Also, school could begin about either a week early in August or about a week later in June, depending on how the calendar falls. Hunt added they do not plan on reducing salaries on teacher contracts with the potential time changes. Also, they may ask for an additional year to study this proposal and not be pressured to decide on May 1 of this year. 

During a discussion of the board’s 417 policies, the board voted and passed the approval to hire WSBA to do a policies audit for $7,500.

Following an executive session, the board voted and passed the approval to continue the administrative contracts of Cassie Hetzel and Darren Luebbe for the 2025-2026 school year.