Weston County School District #1 board approves counselor pay schedule, staff moves and preliminary budget

Chairman Dana Mann-Tavegia presided as the Weston County School District #1 Board of Trustees met on May 12 and approved a series of personnel actions, a counselor salary schedule and a preliminary budget that includes intent to levy one-half mill for Eastern Wyoming BOCES and one mill for the Eastern Weston County Recreation District.

Superintendent LaCroix recommended approval of policy GCBA-E5, the district’s School Counselor Salary Schedule. Trustee Billy Fitzwater moved the motion, Trustee Sean Crabtree seconded and the motion carried, recorded in the minutes as "MOTION CARRIED." The minutes do not include a roll-call tally for this vote.

The board also approved a change to the middle school girls’ wrestling calendar to run January through March after a recommendation from the superintendent; Trustee Fitzwater moved the change and Trustee Crabtree seconded.

Several certified staff transfers were approved in a single slate. The board approved transferring Nick Gray from 1st grade to 3rd grade (moved by Trustee Crabtree, seconded by Trustee Fitzwater), Alondra Munoz from 2nd to 5th grade (moved by Trustee Crabtree, seconded by Trustee Paul Bau), and Devin Dickey from 4th to 3rd grade (moved by Trustee Jason Jenkins, seconded by Trustee Paul Bau). The board also approved a reclassification for Amber Murphy from Title I Reading to Title I Reading/Elementary ELA Instructional Facilitator and a change for Susie LaCroix from ELL Coordinator/Preschool Liaison to ELL Coordinator/Title I Math Teacher. Trustees approved posting a special education paraprofessional position and accepted the classified resignation of Christina Rushton with intent to post that vacancy.

Business Manager Angela Holliday presented the district’s preliminary budget during a budget hearing. The board approved the preliminary budget and the intent to levy one-half mill for Eastern Wyoming BOCES and one mill for the Eastern Weston County Recreation District; the minutes record "MOTION CARRIED" and note there were no public comments. The minutes do not record individual vote tallies.

In other business, administrators reported end-of-year testing and activities. Curriculum Director Sonya Tysdal said, "The data is looking very positive," as staff review WYTOPP results and plan transitional supports. Community Education Director Kim Conzelman said, "Our enrollment numbers are the second highest," and noted Eastern Wyoming College used that data in setting this year’s budget for concurrent and dual-credit offerings. Trustee Billy Fitzwater recognized prom organizers, noting, "They had a great turnout with over half the student population attending."

The board met in two executive sessions under W. S. 16-4-405(ix)—first to discuss board evaluations and later to consider information classified as confidential by law—and reconvened to take the actions described above. Trustee Jason Jenkins reported that N.E.W. BOCES is searching for a new insurance provider after its current carrier notified them it would no longer provide coverage. The board scheduled completion of its board evaluations at the end of the next meeting. Chairman Mann-Tavegia adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m.