Hot Springs County School District board elects Jennifer Axtell as chair, confirms officers and meeting calendar

Jennifer Axtell was elected chair of the Hot Springs County School District Board of Trustees during the board’s reorganization at its December meeting. Trustees also confirmed Trustee Keller as vice chair, Chauncey Johnson as treasurer and Trustee Weier as clerk.

The board’s reorganization was handled by nomination and voice vote. Axtell was nominated (SEG 039) and, after a second, the motion carried. Trustees followed the same process to fill vice chair, treasurer and clerk slots.

The board approved a schedule of regular meetings to remain on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., except for July, November and December, which will be held the second Thursday to avoid conflicts with the WSBA conference and local scheduling constraints. Trustees adopted the schedule by motion and voice vote.

Also on the consent and routine side of the agenda, the board approved both regular and executive-session minutes, accepted staffing recommendations and approved the monthly bills and financial statements. The board carried a second-and-final reading to amend the 2025–26 Hot Springs County High School activities handbook and approved several policy revisions on first reading; trustees asked administration to clarify a few language points (for parents/guardians) before the next meeting.

The board scheduled a special meeting for Jan. 25–26 in afternoon sessions to continue work on facilitator selection and other planning items. The meeting adjourned following an approved motion to enter executive session for personnel matters.

What’s next: the administration will return revised policy language and any required follow-up on meeting logistics at the board’s January sessions.