GOSHEN COUNTY – The Goshen County School Board of Trustees met for the first meeting of the year on Tuesday, January 14. As part of the board’s decision to continue to tour the different …
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GOSHEN COUNTY – The Goshen County School Board of Trustees met for the first meeting of the year on Tuesday, January 14. As part of the board’s decision to continue to tour the different schools within the district, the meeting was held in the cafeteria of the LaGrange Elementary School where it opened with a community meet and greet at 6:30 p.m.
Official board business began when the newly elected chairman, Lena Moeller, called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present at the meeting were board members Sarah Chaires, Chris Alexander, Dylan Hager, Wade Phipps, Val Sharp, Tony Goulart, Kate Steinbock and Kelly Strampe. Kevin Derby, Ryan Kramer and Loreen Fritzler were also present from the district.
“It’s good to see so many faces and to have this many people out here. It’s kind of a cool thing too, I mean, I’ve got some classmates here and younger classmen and so forth. It’s good to see your faces in the crowd,” Moeller said to a room full of community members. “I appreciate everybody coming. Today is kind of my official first night in being the chair of the school board so I just kind of wanted to throw this out there. There’s a quote that I came by that I think kind of helps me to set the tone. It says, ‘Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes,’ and folks, I’m going to make mistakes.”
A motion was made to adopt the meeting agenda which was quickly seconded. There was no discussion or questions about the agenda. The motion to accept carried, the motion passed and the agenda was adopted as presented.
Next, the board moved on to information and proposals where Moeller announced the names of the 2025 student representatives to the district who were slated to be administered the oath of office as under item 3.1. The student representatives are as follows: Aaron Dykes, Platte River School, Kaiten Schilreff, Lingle-Ft. Laramie High School, Kaycee Kosmicki, Southeast High School and Keeng Velasquez, Torrington High School. Moeller noted Kosmicki and Velasquez attended the meeting via Zoom.
“We’re not going to administer the oath tonight as we prefer to do that in person but did just want to inform everyone of who the board has designated as the student reps,” Moeller explained.
Kramer noted the district was really appreciative to the group of representatives and happy to have them on board. Kramer also explained during the next meeting the representatives would be give their oath of office and have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the board and community. Moeller further explained the role of the representative was to serve as a liaison between the board and the student body.
Moving on to the school presentation from LaGrange Elementary Principal Matt Dailey, item number 3.2 on the agenda.
“So, this year, at LaGrange Elementary we have some pretty fun things going on. We have a new teacher. She is second and third grade as well as special ed with us out here. Our other teacher who is four, five, six and PE had a baby this morning at 1:52,” Dailey explained. “Our long-term sub is Mr. Eisenbarth. He was [the] fourth-grade teacher at Southeast for a long time. He was my fourth-grade teacher and inspired me to be a teacher, so I think we are lucky to have him. We have some really cool things going on out here this year.”
Dailey expressed LaGrange has blended classes of different grade levels and he introduced members of the school staff. Dailey also spoke to the board about the kitchen remodel project noting one of the kitchen appliances in the current school kitchen is from 1955. Dailey also mention the school contains a lot of memories and it often hosts events. Dailey shared a spreadsheet with the board on the vision and mission statement components.
Moving on to item 3.3, the board heard from Holly Lara of human resources. Lara had previously been given the task of researching staff retention where she then developed a staff retention and data comparability report.
After a brief public comment, the board moved on to approving the consent agenda where a motion was made to approve the December 10, 2024 regular board meeting minutes (5.1), the monthly bills as presented (5.2), the districts monthly fiscal statement and fund balance and comparison report (5.3) as well as a field trip which exceeded recommended travel times and required out of state travel in March (5.4).
The board requested three of the four items under the consent agenda be pulled to discussion, prior to voting so the consent agenda was itemized for approval. A motion was quickly made to approve the December 10, 2024, meeting minutes or 5.1 under the consent agenda which was then seconded. During the discussion, Goulart mentioned there had been a rumor about a local office supply store going out of business and how the school district did not support that business. Goulart asked for a breakdown and explanation on when the district decides to purchase supplies from elsewhere.
“I just have a question because there is an issue that has come up in the community about how we are taking advantage of using local businesses for some of our products and I thought that was a discussion worth having,” Goulart said. “Specifically, there was a local business that is downsizing significantly and one of the things that was mentioned in the community by some members of the community was that the district was not taking advantage of purchasing locally like we should be and going through the monthly bills I see that that’s not necessarily the case, that we actually are using local businesses for some things.”
Marcy Cates, business manager, addressed the question.
“The particular instance that trustee Goulart is speaking to there was a statement made that schools were encouraged to shop locally and then if it couldn’t be received locally then to go out to other vendors and other options and that is the directive that is made to the schools,” Cates explained. “What does happen in our purchasing procedures allow the school principals to approve up to $1,500 anything over between $1,500 and $5,000, and this is policy, is approved by Mr. Kramer and then anything over $5,000 comes before the board.”
Cates expressed schools were encouraged to shop locally when possible. Cates also noted some items purchased from other businesses were often items which could not be purchased locally. Sharp noted the board wanted to make sure the community knew the district does support local businesses, which the bills would reflect. With no further discussion, the board voted to approve the monthly bills as presented, which carried.
Pulled consent agenda item 5.3, approval of the district monthly fiscal statement and fund balance comparison report, received a motion to approve which was followed by a second. Discussion opened when Goulart asked about a “fund transfer” and where it went.
“That fund transfer in the budget is actually a fund transfer to food service and it specifically stated as such when the board approved the budget,” Cates explained. “In the designation of being a CEP district and providing free meals to all students, the conversation was such that the anticipation was the $350,000 would be needed in order to provide those meals. At this point in time, $100,000 has been transferred from general fund to food service and where we’re at today I do anticipate that it could reach $350,000. That’s what the district is not receiving by not charging parents,” Cates concluded.
“How soon are we going to deplete that, what would you estimate? Will we make it through the school year?” Goulart asked Cates.
“Yes, yes, really believe that we will not exceed $350,000,” Cates confirmed.
“The other question I have on one is on page 39. Could you give us just a high-speed pass on how to understand this page and the what’s in parentheses and why and some of the vast differences in what was in the funds in ‘23 versus the significantly less amounts in some of those funds in ’24,” Goulart asked.
“The fund balance comparison is provided for you on twofold. Primarily it’s there so that you have a comfort level and being able to approve the items in contracts through new business as well as approving the bills and showing you that we have the funds available to do that,” Cates said. “This report is a month delayed and it’s a month delayed based upon me not having bank statements in time in order to have them reconciled and part of the board packet that goes out on the Thursday prior to the board meeting.”
Cates provided a detailed description for the board members and the item 5.3, approval of the district monthly fiscal statement and fund balance comparison report, carried by vote.
The final consent agenda item to be reviewed, 5.4, the request for an exception to district policy 5147 (field trips) to allow Southeast Elementary 5th grade students to travel to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in March, was discussed after a motion was made and seconded.
Alexander noted he would like to see the students write the board a paragraph about the field trip and the experience and the motion then carried.
Moving on to old business, under 6.1, the board elected a vice chairman.
“Just to provide a little bit of an explanation. We did vote for officers during our December meeting but there was some confusion and misunderstanding as to voting and how that all worked pertaining particularly to the vice chair position and so I think that from a legal standpoint, reading the statutory language and so forth, I think that we were in the clear, but just out of goodwill. I think we need to redo it just to make sure we’re all on the same page,” Moeller said as she opened the floor to nominations.
A nomination was made to appoint Chaires as the vice chair of the board, which was seconded. With no other nominations, a motion was made to approve the nomination and Chaires was, once again, elected vice chair of the board. Alexander cited the board was forced to vote again on the position because the board is required to have a five-person majority vote. Moeller respectfully disagreed, noting legal counsel had been consulted. After a brief discussion, the vote passed and carried and Chaires was appointed as vice chair.
Under item 6.2 of old business, the board considered the approval of a tabled item to approve the proposed revisions to district policy 5131.25, student threats of violence. It was recommended to approve the proposed revisions to the district policy, administrative regulation exhibits, as presented on first reading.
“I understand that after the last meeting when this was asked to be kicked back down to the policy committee, the policy committee has had an opportunity to meet and discuss and there were two board members, at least, that were present for the policy committee,” Moeller said, asking for a motion to accept the revisions.
A motion was given which was then seconded. The floor opened up to discussion where board members who were present at the policy committee meeting spoke to the board.
“… The policy committee, we had agreed to remove the words ‘or’. There’s two of those in that section and they have remained in this policy and at the policy committee we did agree to remove those,” Sharp explained. “Law enforcement and/or title 19 coordinator and we agreed to remove the word ‘or’ title 19 coordinator, if applicable, was added. We did that twice in that paragraph.”
After a brief discussion, Moeller called for a revision to the original motion to include the revisions mentioned. A revised motion was made, seconded and carried on the first reading.
The board also reviewed item 6.3, tabled item discussion of leadership governance item 2.3, meetings where it was discussed and considered possible revisions as drafted by Kramer. A motion was made to accept the revisions which was then seconded. During the discussion, Sharp noted revisions should be made based on all stakeholders regarding Zoom meetings. Sharp also encouraged the board to look at the Public Meeting Act to make sure the board was legally holding meetings for public and stakeholders, present and future. Sharp requested the policy contain “a little more meat.” It was also requested the district check into other districts and their policy on virtually attending meetings. Alexander noted there could be issues when the board needs to go into executive session or vote. Moeller noted the Public Meetings Act requires the public be present for all of the opinions that are discussed, the vote and then the ultimate outcome. She further explained the act does not require public participation. Moeller then explained should the board need an executive session; a secure link would be provided to the board members. Moeller also explained should a board member drop a Zoom meeting, and it interfere with a quorum, the meeting would have to be stopped, just like in person. Moeller also explained the board members’ vote would count via Zoom if they had been an active participant in the meeting. Sharp explained she couldn’t support the policy because all of the information wasn’t in the policy. Moeller explained the policy was put in place for many reasons, although in-person participation is most desired, the board should be able to conduct business and still have other commitments. Moeller also noted the legal research had been conducted. Goulart noted one of the problems with the policy could be eradicated by not relying on Zoom for a quorum. The discussion continued about whether the board would rely on those in attendance to provide the quorum for some time and Moeller asked for a vote to approve the revisions. The motion passed.
Under new business, the board accepted the certified staff resignation submitted by Glen Koski, Southeast business teacher, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year, 7.1.
According to agenda item 7.2, chairman Moeller appointed the 2025 recreation board members as the following: Dylan Hager - first year of a five-year- term (expires December 2029), Kyle Nighswonger - second year of a five-year- term (expires December 2028), Wade Bruch – third year of a five year- term (expires December 2027), Wade Phipps - fourth year of a five year- term (expires December 2026) and Lena Moeller - fifth year of a five year- term (expires December 2025). A motion was made and secondly seconded to approve the appointments.
On item 7.3, the board considered approving a purchase for a three-door freezer for Lincoln Elementary, exceeding $5,000 carried. Item 7.4, where the board considered contracting with Benzel Pest Control installation of netting and structural deterrents to prevent birds from nesting in the Lingle-Ft. Laramie School bus barn carried thereafter.
Alexander asked if a shop class could take on the project for a grade which was addressed by Kramer. Kramer noted since this project was high in the rafters, it might not be a good project. Cory Gilchriest, Lingle Ft. Laramie principal explained he would not want to put any of his students in danger. Moeller explained the birds’ mess can cause damage to the vehicles in the barn. Cates noted Benzel Pest Control are professionals and will do the work safely.
Next, the board moved on to topics of discussion, number eight on the agenda.
Trainings were mentioned and Alexander had mentioned it would be beneficial to add a committee report to the board meetings. Moeller noted this was an active discussion. Sharp noted the reports should take place during the meeting with a short report. A section would then be added to the upcoming agendas to include committee reports. Sharp also mentioned the PowerSchool data breach.
“As you are aware that we did put out an ‘all call’ relating to PowerSchool, which is our school information system, vendor that provides a location for us for storage of grades and information about our students. They did have a data breach that was kind of explained. Now, this is nationwide, this is not just a Wyoming issue or a Goshen County issue. It is nationwide. We’re still getting information. The Wyoming Department of Education did step in and provide some information on the way they want us to report to them,” Kramer said. “What they’re doing is asking us to report any information and taking next steps from the state side of things. The interesting part is it is just not our students that we have currently either. It is information that may have been previously shared by students who have graduated.”
Kramer noted the district had scrubbed much of the information down in their files over the years. Kramer noted the Wyoming Department of Education and the state have taken a much bigger role in trying to inform students as well. Kramer noted the district should have an update from the state in the next week or so.
Moeller asked the board to consider adopting a new time for the board meetings and she asked for support from the other board members. A short discussion ensued and the board agreed to think about moving the time of the meeting.
Under item 9, future meetings for the board were discussed where WSBA online workshops, the 2025 annual legislative forum and next regular board meetings were announced.
The meeting then wrapped up with the superintendent’s report followed by adjournment. The next Goshen County School Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 14.