Board hears academic reports; Wagon Wheel celebrates national award, Sunflower principal to retire

Wagon Wheel Elementary Principal Brandy Mower told the Campbell County School District Board of Trustees that Wagon Wheel has been named a National Distinguished School and hosted the Wyoming Superintendent’s Tour of Excellence, and she described schoolwide programs and assessment gains.

“Our mission, ensuring high levels of learning for all, drives everything we do,” Mower said during the board meeting, describing targeted interventions, professional development and a social-emotional learning program the school uses to support students.

Mower said Wagon Wheel’s Ready for Learning four‑year‑old program serves 57 children and that the school’s enrollment and staffing have remained steady across the past three years. She reported the school is meeting Wyoming’s accountability expectations and exceeding ESSA indicators, and she cited improvements in English language arts and in six of nine assessed areas.

The district’s board heard a second school report from Sunflower Elementary Principal Troy Claycomb, who told trustees that this was his final board report before his planned retirement. Claycomb said Sunflower used Title I funding to expand reading supports after the COVID period and noted the school’s efforts to engage families and provide interventions.

“We consider [increases in free and reduced‑price lunch] an opportunity to help and support students and their families,” Claycomb said, noting Sunflower’s free‑and‑reduced rate rose from about 52% to 58% and that the school sees family engagement as central to academic progress.

Claycomb reviewed assessment trends and said the school’s overall accountability ratings have remained stable; he emphasized ongoing work on core instruction, multi‑tiered systems of support and science curriculum. He also highlighted Sunflower’s culture and retention efforts, including PBIS, a Hope Squad and Girls on the Run.

Trustees congratulated both schools. Several board members praised Claycomb’s leadership and tenure, noting low staff turnover and a sustained focus on climate and student well‑being. Board members asked questions about family engagement and how Title I funds were used to support interventions.

The reports were presented as part of the board’s regular business; no board action was taken on either school report.

Closing: The board’s trustees thanked school staff and students for the presentations and celebrated Wagon Wheel’s award and Claycomb’s long service.