Trustees adopt new employee-housing rules, remove proposed six‑year cap and set 30‑day vacate for terminations

Teton County School District #1 trustees approved a package of employee‑housing rules at their March 11 meeting that removed a proposed six‑year minimum lease, replaced a seven‑day vacate requirement for employees terminated for cause with a 30‑day requirement, and struck language giving the superintendent unilateral authority to grant exceptions.

The housing rules, presented by Director Charlotte Reynolds, cover unit eligibility, pet rules and deed restrictions tied to certain apartment units. Reynolds told the board that all 24 units in the new apartment building are deed‑restricted and that the deed restriction requires a household to earn 75% of its income in Teton County and meet a work requirement of about 1,560 hours per year, with an exception process available through the housing authority for some cases.

Trustees debated the seven‑day vacate period that had been proposed for employees terminated for cause. Trustee Bosch raised concerns about short timelines for staff who are terminated and the potential for that requirement to be used as leverage. "The biggest thing that causes me concern about this is the seven calendar days on employee termination," Bosch said during discussion. Director Reynolds said the intent of the shorter timeframe was to address cases where continuing occupancy could threaten safety or the workplace environment, but acknowledged the committee would revisit language as needed.

Teacher Lily Parsons urged the board to avoid strict short limits on tenure, arguing a six‑year cap would undercut long‑term retention. "I believe that a six year lease really does limit families staying here," Parsons said during public comment, adding that longer tenure helps families build roots in the community.

After debate, a trustee moved to remove the six‑year minimum, change the vacate requirement for employees terminated for cause to 30 calendar days, and remove the superintendent exception; the motion was seconded and the board adopted the changes. Board leadership and staff said leases and final documents will be prepared with the district’s property manager and legal counsel, that rents will be collected via payroll deduction, and that the district expects to revisit and fine‑tune the rules as the program is implemented and experience accumulates.

Reynolds said the property manager will handle tenant relations, inspections and move‑in/move‑out processes while the district retains control of unit allocation and some oversight functions. She also noted there is an established exception process through the housing authority if occupancy or deed‑restriction timing creates unforeseen conflicts.

Next steps: staff will finalize lease language, share leases with the board once prepared, and proceed with the application and selection timeline for the new apartments. The board also directed staff to return with any recommended adjustments after the program’s first months of operation.

Actions: The board adopted the housing‑rules motion (removing the six‑year limit; requiring employees terminated for cause to vacate within 30 calendar days; striking the superintendent’s exception) and instructed staff to finalize leases and implementation details.