Goshen County School District #1 approves contracts, sets evaluation goals for superintendent and rejects WSBA dues

The Goshen County School District #1 Board of Trustees on June 9 approved a slate of contracts, adopted policy changes and added a requirements amendment to the superintendent’s salary approval, while rejecting membership renewal to the Wyoming School Boards Association.

Key votes and approvals

- The board approved the purchase and installation of 64 bus camera systems from REI for $384,174.68; the first year of cellular data is included and the expense is reimbursable from transportation funds. Transportation supervisor Todd Warner said the replacement system will reposition cameras to side mounts for a better view of every seat.

- Trustees approved a $25,000 transfer from the general fund to the capital construction fund for the Lingal Gymnasium HVAC project to cover an estimated $8,000 enhancement and contingency; Trustee Steinbach noted state recalibration rules classify gym cooling as an enhancement that general fund dollars cannot typically pay for after July 1.

- The board renewed district property, liability and vehicle insurance through the School Risk Retention Program for $853,227 for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, and approved other contracts including accounting software renewal ($10,240), website and communications services with Finalsite (first‑year $13,100; total $50,000) and Microsoft licensing ($42,797.46).

- Residential placements for two students were approved: Judge Rottenberg Educational Center for student #1716 (not to exceed $394,254) and Bose’s CB Ranch for student #2832 (not to exceed $315,670).

Superintendent evaluation goals added

The board approved Superintendent Kramer’s 2026–27 salary but added an amendment requiring the board and Kramer to establish three verifiable goals by Dec. 31. Trustee Gulard framed the amendment as an effort to move evaluations from subjective checkboxes to measurable objectives; the board agreed to conduct a formal evaluation in July and to set goals for the coming year.

WSBA dues vote fails after heated debate

A motion to renew Wyoming School Boards Association membership dues for $15,401.13 failed on a show‑of‑hands vote after a heated discussion about value and past interactions with the association. Trustee Hager said he would not support the association and described it as “another lobby group,” while the board chair and others urged more discussion before withdrawing membership benefits. The failed vote removes state association services previously available to the district until the board decides otherwise.

Other business

The board approved student handbooks for 2026–27 (the discipline matrix will be revisited in July), approved multiple curriculum subscriptions (Lexia Core 5 and Eureka math consumables), and authorized the district business manager to pay fiscal year‑end bills by June 30 with reporting at the July meeting.

Public comment and next steps

Public commenters raised two high‑profile issues: a student’s request for travel assistance to the Wyoming All‑State Marching Band (student Dutch Auburn said he still owes about $1,500 of a $4,080 trip) and multiple residents and staff urging independent air‑quality testing near Southeast campus over alleged silica dust. Trustees agreed to seek additional information and outreach on the air‑quality issue; the board tabled a separate decision on continuing the districtwide Community Eligibility provision (free meals for all students) until a special meeting after staff prepare a side‑by‑side fiscal comparison.

The board scheduled a special meeting and set the annual budget hearing for July 14, 2026.