SCSD#2 Discusses Safety Measures For School Shootings

Amanda Hamilton and Mitch Craft

The SCSD#2 held its June meeting on Monday, June 13, at 6 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance, chairman Sue Wilson asked for a moment of silence to remember the students, the teachers and the families involved in the Uvalde Texas school shooting in May.

“We like to think it won’t happen here, but in 1993 it did happen here. A gunman came on the property, a PE class was in session, and four children were hit,” Wilson said.

In his superintendent report, Superintendent Scott Stults spoke about the shooting, saying, “Its horrific, and I can’t tell you how much my heart goes out to these families.”

He also talked about what SCSD#2’s response to prevent such a tragedy.

“I want to make something crystal clear as to what it looks like in district two, and how they would be handled.” he said the school works closely with the Sheridan Police and has provided clear guidance as to what will be done. He said the situation is much different than it was after the Columbine shooting in 1999.

Mitch Craft introduced the classified staff person of the year, Amanda Hamilton, and he also announced another honor for Sheridan High School,

Don Julian recognized several students who won WHSAA Good Sportsmanship awards, Adeline Burgess in Basketball, Ellie Williams, Emma Prior, Olivia Ballew, Libby Gardner, Ella Kessner and Colson Coon in soccer. He also mentioned the boys track team took the State Championship, with several individual state champions.

He also commended Taylor Kelting, the head track coach, for his work with the student athletes.

Troy Decker gave a facilities update, talking about the progress being made on the bleachers for the high school gym, the plaza and stairs at SJHS, and the HVAC work at the SJHS.

Leslie Haberkern, director of food services, asked the board to approve the renewal of Sysco as the food service, and talked about how successful the ranch to school program was last year. “This has been wonderful and we plan to continue it into this year.”

Revisions were also approved to the student handbooks from 2022 and 2023 at both SHS and JCSHS.

Treasurer Shane Rader reminded the board of the upcoming Annual BBQ to be held on June 22, and hosted this year by SCSD#1 in Dayton.

Two community members had comments, Jerry Pauli spoke to the board about school funding and some of the challenges he felt the school system should address.

He felt that one problem getting teachers in Sheridan is the lack of affordable housing, “Jackson leads in the price of homes,” Pauli said. “Sheridan and Cody fight it out for second highest. Finding a rental or affording to buy a home is already a challenge in Sheridan, and is preventing the school and businesses from hiring workers.

“Sheridan’s teacher salaries range from $47,000 to $81,000, with Jackson’s average being $62.000 up to $108,000. How can Jackson afford to pay its staff more money?”

He added that Sheridan has one of the best school districts in the state, and that the main obstacle for teachers moving to Sheridan is that they cannot afford housing.

“I am asking the school board to take a leadership role in having the Wyoming School Board Association put pressure on Cheyenne to gather data as to where the state sets financially and develop options for future budgets, depending on the Wyoming energy sector.”

Shelta Rambur took the podium to talk to the board concerning the school lunch funding,

Stults and the board also thanked Mitch Craft and Don Julian for their years of service at District #2.

The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters.