SCSD#2 Board Honors Scholarship Winners, Hears Trans-Gender Concerns

Heidi Richins with the some of the SkillsUSA state winners

SCSD#2 held its monthly meeting with a full agenda. There were several teachers and students recognized, including teacher of the year, Julianne Craft who teaches at John C. Sciffer school.

Mike Swan, principal at JCSHS, said that students, “Want to be in her classroom. Miss Craft makes learning fun and enjoyable. She loves what she does and will always go above and beyond.”

Heidi Richins talked about the 19 state winners in the SkillsUSA competition. SkillsUSA is a career and technical education student organization, for students enrolled in a CTE program. The winners were: Rye Bullick, Branden Leerssen, Kyla Clymore, Dylan Babcock, Cody Moeller, Emerson Fuhrman, Marly Graham, and Abbie Walton. Several of the students attended the meeting.

Emerson Fuhrman acting SkillsUSA chapter president, talked about the competition. She was the first-place state champion in drafting and finished third in extemporaneous speaking. She plans to go to the national competition in June in Atlanta, Georgia.

One question from the board was whether Fuhrman felt that the CTE training was helpful for her to get a job, and she responded she was already working and it did help.

Mitch Craft, assistant superintendent spoke about the fact that Sheridan was named one of the best communities for music by NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants. Many of the music department teachers were introduced at the meeting.

Craft said the NAMM used several criteria for the commendation,

Craft added that SCSD#2 is known throughout the state for the music program. He said that many of Sheridan’s music students are selected for all-state band, choir, or orchestra.

Craft also announced the NE District Music Educator of the year, Ashley Lecholat, choir director at SHS. “Each year teachers nominated their colleagues for this award. The award that counts the most is that which comes from their peers.” Craft said.

Don Julian introduced Jhett West, who received the WHSAA Good Sportsmanship Award. A sophomore, West was nominated for the award at the Natrona County Sophomore Basketball game in January. Students are nominated by coaches and referees.

UW Trustee Scholarship recipients were announced: Sarah Gonda, Richard Hall, Laurin Jensen, Amy Murdock, and Keaton Phipps. Medora Perkins received the MSU Presidential scholarship.

Trustee Fessler congratulated the scholarship winners and added,

Scott Stults, in his superintendent report, said that he heard parents’ concerns about inflation, and how it is affecting school funding and hiring new teachers, and retaining those already here. Stults said that housing is a problem in Sheridan, which makes it more difficult to bring in new teachers. “Inflation is real,” he said. “Housing is difficult to find, and less people are going into teaching. But our administration is doing a good job keeping the budget solvent.”

In other business the board voted to accept a bid for the HVAC unit at the Story Elementary School, Troy Decker said that the current system was from the 50s and needed replacing. He also presented the board with a bid for new stairs and a concrete plaza near the track at the Junior High School to cut down on mud being tracked into the buildings.

The board then opened the floor to audience comments, most of which concerned the bullying of trans-gendered students and asking that bathrooms be made available for these students. Ellias Collins and Brian Roberts spoke on the subject. Collins felt that parents were overly worried about trans students in bathrooms when the trans students were more often harassed or even hurt. Brian Roberts, who has three kids in the school, talked about the subject as well.

Douglas Wheeler spoke as well but felt that safety was the greatest concern and schools had to be safe for all students.

Scott Stults said that there are multiple unisex bathrooms in all the school buildings. He also stated that bullying is not okay, but parents should go through the proper channels. He also mentioned that he is always available to hear parents’ concerns.