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Board approves contracts, policies and staffing recommendations; several property and personnel items debated
Summary
At its May meeting, the Sheridan County School District #3 Board approved a slate of contracts and policies, continued or approved multiple service agreements and personnel actions, and voted to issue a counteroffer on the Arvada School property after an initial acceptance failed.
The Sheridan County School District #3 Board of Trustees voted on a series of contracts, policy readings and personnel items during its regular meeting May 20, including approval of several service contracts, course offerings and changes to employee insurance contributions.
The board approved continuing related-services contracts with Triology Therapy (speech/occupational/hearing services), a counseling contract with Brandy Verstead for IDEA counseling services, and a contract with Elving Clifford for psychological services and evaluations for the 2025–26 school year. The board also approved a set of purchases and renewals including accounting software and college-course agreements with Sheridan College.
Administrators presented a packet of suggested new and revised board policies. The board approved the second and final reading of new policy 6151 (artificial intelligence usage rules and expectations). It approved first readings of policy 6185 (designated facilities) and revisions to policy 4181 (staff wellness).
On personnel and recognition items the board approved communications to coaches, classified staff, staff and extended-duty employees of the administration’s intent to continue employment for 2025–26 and approved the K–12 assistant principal contract. The board also named Don Knutswig certified employee of the year and Aubrey Holland classified employee of the year.
The board approved insurance-plan changes, eliminating Plan B and Plan G from the district health insurance options and reducing the employee portion of the health insurance premium to 10 percent. The board awarded the 2025–26 propane contract to Bighorn Co‑op Marketing Association at the bid price presented (listed in the meeting as $1.23/gal for 60,000 gallons).
The board considered a buyer’s offer for the Arvada School property. An initial motion to accept that offer failed; the board later moved to counteroffer $160,000 and remove a requested additional-provisions clause (item I) from the buyer’s proposed terms. That counteroffer was approved.
Votes on individual motions were taken verbally during the meeting; minutes record motions, seconds and “aye”/“opposed” responses but do not list a roll-call vote for every item.
Why it matters: The package of approvals covers multiple student-facing services (speech, counseling, psychological testing), staffing and benefits decisions, and facility disposition. Changes to insurance contributions and vendor contracts affect operating costs and employee benefits for the coming fiscal year. The Arvada property exchange could affect district assets and future costs.
Board members and staff present raised procedural questions at several points, and some agenda items (notably the Arvada property offer and certain personnel contract details) drew longer discussion before final action.
