GOSHEN COUNTY – The Goshen County School Board of Trustees met for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 13 at Lincoln Elementary. In attendance were board members Chris Alexander, Wade Phipps, Kate Steinbock, Tony Goulart, Dylan Hager, Kelly Strampe and Sarah Chaires. Lena Moeller and Val Sharp appeared via Zoom. Marcy Cates, Kevin Derby, Loreen Fritzler and Ryan Kramer were present for the district. Student representatives Kaiten Schilreff from Lingle-Ft. Laramie High School and Kaycee Kosmicki from Southeast. Chaires called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

A motion made to adopt the evening’s agenda, which carried by vote and the board moved on to item four, information and proposals where district staff retiring with five years or more were recognized. Gary Glass from Torrington Middle School (TMS) and Torrington High School (THS) was honored for 20 years of service and Lisa Wille-Racine from THS was honored for nine years of service. From the transportation department, Mike Dawkins was honored for 14 years of service and from Lingle-Fort Laramie (LFL) Neil Baker (10 years), Deb Jones (17 years), Nate Jones (17 years) and Cherie Trautwein (25 years). 

Under item 4.2, Chaires moved on to the scholarship presentations by the board where Mason Wilkes (Platte River School), Madison Copenbarger (THS), Louden Bremer (LFL) and Anna Hartman (Southeast High School) were awarded the student representative scholarship from the board of trustees. 

Next, the board moved on to the school presentation by Lincoln Elementary. 

Under item 4.4, the board moved on to committee reports from board members.

Reporting for the district policy committee was Alexander who noted most of the policies they had been working on were on the agenda for the night’s meeting.

For the District Activity Advisory Council (DAAC), Alexander reported. He noted middle school soccer was discussed, which was also on Tuesday’s agenda. 

“We did go over some discussion of handbooks to make sure that everybody’s on the same page with the same handbook between all the different schools,” Alexander explained. “We have a sportsman’s summit coming up that some of our teachers and coaches and everybody’s putting together for August for the kids.”

Hager reported from the board building committee policy.

“On the budling committee, we went over quite a few pretty big projects. One of them is at the THS gym is a fairly large project that’s kind of been talked about for the last couple of years,” Hager said. “It will be a multi-year project. They’re going to work on kind of the ceiling this year and some windows and just kind of spruce it up a little bit. It’s going to look the same for quite a few years. It will look different here in the next couple of years.”

Hager also explained another project the committee had been working on. The seats at the THS auditorium were “super bad” and he was looking forward to seats which were no longer broken. He also noted the LFL football field would be getting new bleachers, getting rid of old ones. Hager also noted the committee had talked about the La Grange kitchen and would be, at some point, getting some upgrades done there.

Alexander was also asked to report on the health and wellness committee. 

“Health and wellness. We are going to be having an administrative review, coming up a year early. We went over some changes that we’re already meeting as far as changes in sodium and sugar and things like that that are allowed in the school lunches and breakfast, so we’re ahead of schedule on that,” Alexander reported. “We’re going to be having the summer feeding program. It looks like it’s been approved it’s going to be going on. We’ll be handing out lunches and things at the parks as well as being able to come to Trail School to have breakfast and lunch.” 

Cates also provided an update on the board building committee, noting the La Grange kitchen project will not appear on the agenda for some time. She noted the project is still happening, it just “needed more work”. 

“The first three items from the board building committee are action items, further down in the agenda. The La Grange kitchen project does require a little bit of more work. There were some issues with timing and contracting. So, the La Grange kitchen won’t appear until the June agenda and we actually are looking at delaying that to a summer of ’26 so it’s still an active project,” Cates explained. “Pricing seemed pretty favorable. Some need for some additional vetting. We actually have a meeting scheduled here in a week and a half for that project.”

Next, the board moved on to item 4.5 on the agenda which was a presentation from TMS Assistant Principal/Activity Director, Jim English. English spoke to the board to propose the addition of middle school soccer in 2025-2026 school year. 

“First of all, thank you for the opportunity to be here to present a new middle school program and also thank you very much for your service to Goshen County and our students,” English began. “I feel a bit of anxiety here. We have a fully dressed soccer team right here behind me,” he said pointing in the audience at a group of middle school boys. “We’ve been working at it for the last year with the DAAC program, the district activities administrator council talking about adding middle school soccer. We feel like we have a great community program for our younger kids. We have a solid program at the high school level, but we miss that gap for grades sixth, seventh and eighth. The reason why I’m here tonight, number one, is the fact that Torrington High School and Goshen County soccer competes against the 3A schools and Torrington is the only program that does not have a middle school soccer to support and build upon their high school program. So, I’d like you to consider that option right there. I think that’s very, very important.”

English further explained the program hopes to build skills and foster teamwork. He noted it would be a spring sport, aligned with the track season. The goal would be to schedule eight to 10 games in the season with a mixture of games after school and games on weekends. He also explained the amount of equipment the program would require and the locations of practices. He also showed the board survey results indicating there was an interest from students regarding the soccer program as well.

The board then moved on to public comment where several people spoke to the board.

“Good evening, my name Keyan Arnusch and I’m a fifth grader at Lingle. I would like the Goshen County School Board to consider adding a middle school soccer program in Torrington. I’ve been playing soccer most of my life through GOWYO and also for a local club soccer team. These are some of my teammates from throughout the years,” Arnusch said standing beside a group of middle school boys. “I would really like to have a middle school soccer in Torrington to help students learn from certified coaches and help build our soccer programs. I think soccer’s important because it helps teach teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and it helps students stay healthy and active.”

“Soccer has allowed me not only to build game skills but also build friendships. I am able to play with other kids across the school district and that is important for building community,” Arnusch said. “A middle school program would allow for students to meet other teammates and build a relationship with them. I also think that it is important to have different teams for boys and girls so we don’t have to play against each other and risk injury due to size and ability differences. I would really like to see a soccer program added to Torrington Middle School next spring,” Arnusch concluded, thanking the board for their time and consideration. 

Heather Arnusch also spoke to the board in support of the middle school soccer program. 

Rebecca Cohorn spoke to the board during public comment as well. Cohorn stated the Wyoming legislature has passed a bill stating homeschooling parents are no longer required to submit their curriculum to the districts. Cohorn explained, as far as she was aware, the procedure for allowing the parent to contact and notify the school district of intent to homeschool also requires the parent to list the curriculum. Cohorn noted she knew the board wasn’t allowed to respond or comment, however she explained perhaps the board would address the concern later in the agenda in the comment section. Cohorn also expressed concern regarding teachers who were hired for one position suddenly switching positions within the district. 

Moving on, the board approved the consent agenda items 6.1, the April 8 meeting minutes as presented; item 6.2, the monthly bills as presented; item 6.3, the district monthly fiscal statement and fund balance comparison report; item 6.4, the renewal with Software Unlimited for district accounting software; item 6.5, a special education contract with ESU#13; item 6.6, the request for exception to the field trip policy allowing the LFL FBLA students to travel to Anaheim, California and item 6.7, policy allowing the THS FBLA students to travel to Anaheim, California. Steinbock made the motion to approve the consent agenda as presented which was seconded by Strampe.

Under new business, the board moved on to item 7.1, the approval of the FY2026 preliminary budget as presented, which was quickly approved by vote. 

“I have a few items, as part of the budget, that I’d like to share with you. The budget begins on page 61 of your board packet. The budget provided to you for general fund mirrors what was provided before beginning salary relations with one exception and that’s a transfer of $100,000 to the BOCES fund from general fund,” Cates explained. “That is a result of the property tax reduction that the legislature passed. So, if you go further into the budget, looking at pages 68 and 69, both of those funds will see a reduction in revenue. The BOCES fund is projected to see a reduction of $17,500. Additionally, the BOCES fund has exhausted all cash reserves. So, the $100,000 is the estimate of what it will take to sustain what has been provided throughout past years for dual and concurrent enrollment at the high school level.” 

“That’s one of the things that, I know, as this legislative session went on, a lot of conversation was about the property tax cuts and how the affected local government entities along with our fire departments and things. This was one piece that was not discussed very much but is very significant,” Kramer explained. “Our budget for BOCES that we utilize to pay for college credit courses.”

Cates noted the district’s expenditure for dual and concurrent college courses was budgeted at $400,000 for 2024-25. She noted for 2025-26 $320,000 has been budgeted.

“So, that’s $400,000 that parents don’t have to pay for college and get set up for kids already and currently in high school to take college courses,” Kramer explained. “When that funding goes away, that ability for parents falls back on all parents to pay for that college education. So, we’re not getting a tax break. Your property taxes do, in some cases go away, in some cases if you don’t have children but for the greater good. So, I think it’s very important to realize that even if it’s not the number one thing on the list and downfall of those. BOCES and the dollars that go towards dual and concurrent courses – this year, we’re able, we’re very, very fortunate. Our budget is in a situation where we move dollars from general fund to cover this,” Kramer continued. “In years coming up, we will have to make a choice as to whether, as a district, we will pay for college courses for our students or if we’re going to have to limit them.”

After a bit more discussion on the budget, a motion was made to accept the FY2026 preliminary budget, which was seconded and carried by vote. 

Next, the board approved the acceptance of certified staff resignation from occupational therapist Shaina Hageman, effect May 28, 2025, item 7.2 of new business.

The board also approved the consideration of offering teaching contacts to Alan Bruce as a special education teacher at Southeast Elementary, to Tanya Jones as a special education teacher at THS, pending certification, and to Many Bloemaker as a special education teacher at Trail Elementary, under new business item 7.3.

Next, the board moved on to the consideration of the addition of the middle school boys and girls soccer program for the spring of 2026, item 7.4. A motion was quickly made by Alexander, seconded by Steinbock and carried by vote.  

The board then moved on to item 7.5, where they approved the proposed revisions to district policy 2421, line and staff communications, as presented. 

Moving on, the board considered the approval of the proposed revisions to district policy 3420, purchasing, as presented on first reading, item 7.6, which carried by vote. 

The board moved on to item 7.7, where they considered the approval of proposed revisions to district policy 4330, medical leave bank, as presented on first reading, which also carried by vote. 

Under item 7.8, the board also considered the proposed revisions to the district policy 6137, homebound instruction, as presented on first reading. A motion was quickly made and seconded by the board. With no discussion, the board voted to approve the revisions. 

Next, the board moved on to item 7.9, where they considered the approval of contracting with Clover Therapy Services LLC for speech language services, which carried by vote. 

Under item 7.10, the board consider the renewal of the annual maintenance support agreement with Long Mechanical Solutions for 2025-26, which also carried by vote. 

The board then moved on to item 7.11 where it was recommended the approve contracting with Eakes Office Solutions for a four-year district copier lease agreement for a monthly hardware less in the amount of $2,832.52 and additional copy fees of $0.0032 per black and white prints and $0.029 for color pages. The board voted to approve the contract. 

Moving on to item 7.12, the board approved contracting with Goshen County Construction for the THS gym walls and ceiling project with insulation removal completed in the summer of 2025. The project will also include side window replacement in the summer of 2026 in the total amount of $868,140 from major maintenance funds, which was approved and carried by vote. 

Under item 7.13 of new business, the board approved contracting with Goshen County Construction for the THS auditorium seating replacement project in the amount of $797,878 from major maintenance funds. The board voted to approve the contract. 

Next, the board moved on to item 7.14, where the board considered the approval of contracting for LFL football field bleacher replacement project in the total amount of $401,369 from major maintenance funds, which was approved by vote. 

The board moved on to board topics of discussion where the board discussed moving the regular Tuesday, July 8 board meeting to Wednesday, July 16 to be held in conjunction with the annual budget hearing. The board agreed to hold the regular board meeting on July 16. 

The board also discussed setting a date for a board work session for the mid-year superintendent evaluation and board self-evaluation in June 2025. 

It was noted the next regular school board meeting would be held on Tuesday, June 10 at 6 p.m. at the central administration office and the annual district budget hearing will be conducted on Wednesday, July 16 at 6 p.m.

Next, the board moved on to the superintendent’s report where Kramer provided an update on current 2024-2025 school year student enrollment. 

Kramer also provided an update on the Wyoming Department of Education State Board of Education’s approval of the 2026-27 school year calendar. He also provided an update on current district staffing. 

Graduation was held on Wednesday, May 14 at 5 p.m. in the Eastern Wyoming College Auditorium for Platte River School. The remainder of the district graduations will be held on Sunday, May 18 at 1 p.m. at LFL; 2:30 p.m. at Southeast; and 4:30 p.m. at THS. 

The meeting was then adjourned to reconvene June 10 at 6 p.m.