Resignations and bids

The Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting at 4 p.m. on January 21 at the Medicine Bow Elementary School in Medicine Bow.

Before the meeting started, students from Medicine Bow Elementary sang the National Anthem. Some of the students also signed to the song. Student Wheatlynn Michael shocked many of the board members with her stirring rendition of the song. During board comments later in the meeting, all members praised her voice.

The agenda was approved immediately after.

Principal Jason Greenway introduced Lauren Culligan, the new K-1 teacher at Medicine Bow Elementary.

Next the board accepted the resignation from Shelly Cooper, a Medicine Bow Elementary teacher, at the end of the 2019/2020 school year.

The board also accepted the resignation from Zach Schmidt, Saratoga Elementary School and Saratoga Middle High School Vice-Principal, at the end of the 2019/2020 school year.

Superintendent Jim Copeland reviewed the December 2019 enrollment which was at 585 students, up six from November 2019. Copeland recognized Coaches Rex and Mary Hohnholt. Rex received the 2A boys Coach of the Year honor and Mary received the All Class Assistant Coach of the Year.

Curriculum Director Noel Manning shared the 2020-2021 Wyoming Department of Education draft Perkins Plan and the additional requirements of next year’s grant. He said the chess club has started up again and he has offered instruction to students at several attendance centers. Manning gave condolences to the family of Carrie Craig, a recently retired CCSD2 administrator who passed away the week before.

The board approved the bid from Western Plains Landscaping LLC, doing business as 3-Cord Construction, in the amount of $106,250 for the Secure Vestibule Project at Encampment K-12. The board approved the bid from Western Plains Landscaping LLC, doing business as 3-Cord Construction, in the amount of $101,250 for the Secure Vestibule Project at Saratoga Elementary School.

The board approved CCSD2 Business Manager Sally Wells and attorney Bill MacPherson to arrange the sale of land to the Town of Medicine Bow previously leased to them by CCSD2. The land is currently used as a town park. This is pending State Facilities Commission approval. Medicine Bow mayor Sharon Biamon was present and thanked the board.

The board chose not to apply for the Perkins V Grant during the 2020-2021 school year. Copeland said that this grant can be re-evaluated in future years if the requirements become more reasonable.

The consent agenda was approved.

The treasurer’s report had the general fund balance as of December 31, 2019 at $6,358,704.41.The board next approved the bills as presented for payment in the amount of $357,841.96.

Chairman James Sewell appointed Joe Gaspari, George Clark and Kassie Westring to February’s Bill Committee. Sewell appointed himself, Westring, and Gaspari to the Board Salary Committee. Sewell re-appointed Kaycee Alameda to serve as the Board’s Legislative Liaison.

Board members thanked the Medicine Bow students for their presentation of the National Anthem, thanked Shelly Cooper and Zach Schmidt for their years of service to the students in the district and welcomed Lauren Culligan. They also thanked the bus drivers for traveling safely on winter roads and congratulated the sports teams on their successes. Members recognized the incredible turn out for the Encampment Cake Auction. They congratulated Rex and Mary Hohnholt for their coaching awards. Members thanked the schools for acknowledging student’s academic successes and thanked Medicine Bow Elementary School for hosting the board meeting. Board Members also wanted to send their condolences to the family and loved ones of Carrie Craig. All said she will be greatly missed.

The board entered into executive session at 5:10 p.m. to discuss personnel issues on the terms of employment for the superintendent. Copeland entered the Executive Session at 5:38 and returned at 5:46 p.m.

The board offered Copeland a one year contract for the 2020/2021 school year. It was noted his salary will be discussed during the salary/budget negotiations which will be held later this spring.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at 4 p.m. on February 19 at the Central Administration Building in Saratoga.