SCSD#3 Holds Community Meetings for Input on Superintendent Candidates

In a series of three meetings, held on Jan. 31, Feb 1 and 2nd, three final candidates for the superintendent position at the Sheridan County School District #3 got a chance to meet the community and tour the school.

Jan Gibbs moderated the question and answer sessions.

The first candidate, Chase Christensen, was born and raised in Montana, and attended schools in Cody. His father was a game warden in Montana, and worked in the Rosebud and Broadus area.

Christensen graduated from the University of Wyoming with a finance degree. He began substitute teaching and enjoyed it, then went back to school for an education degree. He got a job in Wheatland, where he coached volleyball and was the FFA advisor. He then went to Torrington, where he taught in an alternative school, where he helped some students graduate that may not otherwise have had that chance.

He had this to say about possibly getting the job in Clearmont.

He also felt that there should be community involvement in the school, and that students should value their community.

On Tuesday night, the assembled community members had the chance to hear Steven Priest, who grew up in rural Ohio, and attended Ohio State. He moved to Hanna, Wyoming, where he taught science. He received a principal certificate from University of Wyoming and is pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership. He said he wants to see himself in a place long term and wants to see his children go through their high school and graduate in one place. Gibbs asked how he would encourage students to balance academics and extra-curricular activities.

On Wednesday night, John Bruce came to speak to the group, and said he had been raised in Minnesota and went to a small school.

He has been in education for 24 years, and most recently has been teaching in a small school in Alaska. He said he felt that small schools give kids the best education, and that he didn’t want to teach in a large school.

He felt that the superintendent was the ‘face’ of the school district, and he wanted that face to be happy. He believes in getting out of the school and interacting with community members.

Around 20 people came each night to hear what the candidates feel about possibly being superintendent here in Clearmont, and asking questions of the candidates.

Two questions that were hot button issues that were presented by the community was the CRT debate and mask mandates. All three candidates felt they would not teach CRT, and felt that masks would be mandated only if necessary by orders of the health officials.

The SCSD#3 Board is holding an executive session on Thursday night, Feb. 3, and will announce their decision at the board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 9th.