Covid-19, Graduation Rates addressed at SCSD#2 Board Meeting

Several students and teachers were honored at the monthly SCDS#2 board held on Monday, Feb. 7

Jeff Mowry introduced Kevin Rizer, who had been honored with assistant football coach of the year. “The Broncs wouldn’t be the team they are without Coach Rizer,” Mowry said. He also noted that Rizer had won the award twice in the time he has taught at SCSD#2.

Don Julian introduced many of the students who made All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra, Band and Jazz Band.

Mitch Craft introduced Cameron Reckard, who was one of 104 students nationwide who was accepted to the United States Senate Youth Program, and will get a chance to join Senator John Barrasso and Senator Cynthia Lummis in representing Wyoming during the 60th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) Washington Week, set for March 6-9, 2022.

Mitch Craft and Mike Thomas introduced several students who won the We the People state champion. We the People is a competition in the format of a simulated congressional hearing. High school classes present testimony and answer questions about historical, political, and Constitutional issues. Students are expected to be generalists in overall Constitutional knowledge and specialists in one of six units of in-depth study.

Chairman Sue Wilson then opened the floor to audience comments, and four members of the community, Dennis Wheeler, Shelta Rambur, Harry Pollak and Nick Eyrich, spoke to the board about the mask mandate that was in force during the fall in SCSD#2.

Sue Wilson said that they could not talk about personnel unless it was positive, no comments of personal nature against trustees, and speakers could not talk on the ongoing litigation the board would not accept comments on the mask mandate, vaccinations or whether or not the district is following the constitution. And no inappropriate language.

Wheeler said “I’m here to give you notice of intent to file a claim against the board on unconstitutional and illegal actions that occurred against me regarding my disability.”

Nick Eyrich spoke to the board regarding rights and health care access, but Wilson felt the subject was concerning the on-going litigation which he could not address.

Harry Pollak spoke, saying that he felt on Jan. 10, Superintendent Stults had violated his constitutional rights to freedom of speech. He felt that since the meeting was ‘public forum’ he had to be allowed to speak, however Wilson said this,

When Pollak refused to step down, the board adjourned for 15 minutes and two officers from Sheridan Police Department escorted Pollak out of the meeting.

After the meeting reconvened, Shelta Rambur spoke, asking for the resignation of Superintendent Stults and all the board, and she plans to bring a lawsuit against the board due to last fall’s mask mandates.

Superintendent Stults reported on the Covid-19 Plan, saying masks are still strongly recommended by not required in SCSD#2 School buildings and school grounds as well as on buses back and forth to school. He also stated that the funds the schools receive are not tied the school’s response to the pandemic.

Mitch Craft gave a report on the graduation rates, saying SHS had an 87..9% graduation rate, and he said this about the numbers.

He added that the state average is 82.4%. The John C. Shiffer school has a 69% rate as compared to state alternative schools with a 59.5%.