Sheridan County School District No. 2 trustees approve agenda, policies and scholarships; vote to replace totaled bus

Sheridan County School District No. 2 trustees approved the meeting agenda and a series of routine and substantive items at their public meeting, including first- and second-reading policy actions, recommendations to increase several Memorial Fund scholarships, and authorization to replace a school bus declared a total loss after an accident.

The board, led by Chairman Raider, approved the agenda and later carried motions to approve a consent agenda, multiple policy updates on first and second reading, Memorial Fund scholarship recommendations for 2025–26, and the purchase of a replacement bus after a district vehicle was totaled in a September collision. Most votes were taken by voice; the transcript records the outcome as "motion carries" after aye/no voice calls.

The Memorial Fund motion included a recommendation to raise the largest Stegnes scholarship awards to $3,000 each for 10 recipients this year, and to continue an annual balance review before setting future amounts. The board authorized replacement of the totaled route bus and directed staff to proceed with procurement; the district's insurer declared the vehicle a constructive total loss and an insurance claim is open.

Trustees also approved a set of policies on first reading (DB annual budget; DG banking services; DGA authorized signatures; DID capitalization and inventories; JRAD online registration) and on second reading (BEDC quorum; BEE board hearing/appeal procedures; BH board–staff communication; BIA board member orientation; BID board member compensation/expenses; CA administration priority objectives; CHCA school handbooks). The board discussed online-registration security after a recent third-party breach elsewhere and reported an audit of the district's Infinite Campus installation.

Several administrative items were reported and discussed but received no formal vote. Superintendent Jeff Stultz and staff reported that a third pre-K class for 4-year-olds will be added at Coffeen Elementary for next school year, pending teacher hiring; website navigation was reorganized to make board minutes and handbooks easier to find; and the district will emphasize common formative assessments through a district "Clarity Plan".

The board took public comment during the audience-comments portion; one speaker criticized past mask mandates and cited a federal after-action review on COVID-19.

The meeting recessed into executive session for personnel and confidential matters under Wyoming statute 16-4-405(a)(2) and (a)(9) and returned to regular session before approving a revised personnel action report.

Votes at a glance

- Approve meeting agenda — Outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Approve consent agenda — Outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Policies approved on first reading (DB, DG, DGA, DID, JRAD) — Outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Policies approved on second reading (BEDC, BEE, BH, BIA, BID, CA, CHCA) — Outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Memorial Fund scholarship recommendations for 2025–26 (including Stegnes increase to $3,000 x10) — Outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Replace route school bus declared a total loss — Outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). Board directed staff to pursue replacement and insurance claim. - Approve revised personnel action report (post-executive session) — Outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

The board adjourned after completing the evening's agenda.