Board hears proposal for two‑week student exchange with Thuringia, Germany

Chairman Peterson and the Uinta County School District #1 Board of Trustees heard a presentation from visiting teachers from Thuringia, Germany, about restarting a student-exchange program between their rural high school and Evanston High School.

The visiting teachers, Lisa Paul, English teacher (Thuringia, Germany), and her colleague Sabrina (surname not stated), showed a video and described their school of roughly 450 students, its digital-first approach and past international partnerships. Martie Woodward (parent) introduced the visitors and said the proposed exchange would be two weeks: one week attending classes and one week touring. She said German students previously paid about €900 for a two‑week exchange in 2009; visiting teachers said costs and logistics now differ and families are expected to pay travel expenses with possible partial support from local companies or fundraising.

The board discussed timing, selection and administration. Visiting teachers said U.S. students usually travel in May–June and German students usually visit in September; they said language ability is not required because students and teachers use English commonly. The presenters and board members said host families commonly house visiting students, keeping costs down; an initial pilot group was described as likely to be about 8–10 students. Principal Scott Kohler will show the German visitors the high school, and a reciprocal visit to the German school was described.

Board members asked about eligibility and selection: the presenters suggested opening the program to grades 10–12 (ages roughly 16–18) and using an application or interview and existing activities eligibility rules. Board member Mr. O'Neil and others said a motivated local organizer (teacher or student leader) would be critical; student Remi Woodward was named as an active participant and potential chaperone. Jeremy Peterson and others said June 2026 was a feasible earliest target for Uinta County students to go, with a German visit to follow in September 2026.

The board took an informal vote to designate a district lead to advance planning. The motion to have a district representative lead the program carried; board members agreed to meet with high school administration and counselors to form a planning committee and to pursue fundraising and logistical steps (passports, approvals, host-family recruitment) before firming dates.

The board and presenters described next steps: district staff will coordinate with the presenters upon their return to Germany, meet with high school counselors and interested teachers to draft selection criteria, a budget estimate and a timeline for a pilot exchange in June 2026.

The presentation and discussion occurred during the board’s presentations segment and closed when trustees asked district staff to follow up with the presenters and principal.