SCSD#1 Vote on Two Resolutions in Special Meeting

Sheridan County School District #1 held a special meeting on Wednesday September 28. The board discussed the fact that the activities directors were asking for more down time. The board also discussed possibly compensating them a little more for the time they are working, as Superintendent Pete Kilbride said there are a lot of activities in the schools that the activities directors attend. There will be more discussion on the topic.

Kilbride also presented two resolutions that he wanted to present to the WSBA and asked that the board approve them. The first resolution concerns the special Education students in the district. Kilbride explained the resolution:

He said that because of this the graduation rates are not as high as would be desired. He added that the goal of special education is to level learning to perform at the student’s grade level.

“If a special education student passes with a certificate of completion it should count as graduation. It’s a messed-up system and at least maybe we can bring attention to it.” He said that even if the WSBA and the legislature doesn’t do anything, they have brought attention to the problem.

Laurel Main, Director of Special Services at SCSD#1 talked about how hard the instructors work with the students. She said that the special education students can take the WY-TOPP Alternative Assessment test, instead of the WY-TOPP, so teachers know which track to place students on. She added:

The other resolution that will be presented to the WSBA was concerning corporal punishment in Wyoming public Schools. According to the handout, “It is resolved that the WSBA stands in opposition to the current legal protection afforded to the use of corporal punishment in Wyoming schools.”

The rationale is: “The last twenty years of research on the detrimental effects of corporal punishment is overwhelming. In a recent study of Wyoming school administrators 90% disagree or strongly disagree with the statement, “I believe corporal punishment should remain legal in Wyoming public schools.”

Also, of the 48 school districts in Wyoming, only two still allow its use per board policy. Finally, no incidents of corporal punishment have been reported in Wyoming public schools in the last decade. To legally protect a practice that has been proven to be detrimental to students is irresponsible and unprofessional. Wyoming public school officials should not be hitting the children in their buildings. It is time our state take a stand against the legal protection of corporal punishment in our public schools.

The board voted to present these to the WSBA. Kilbride said that the WSBA delegates will have an opportunity to talk about these resolutions.

Other discussion centered around the CVSA, and how the district might better incorporate the CVSA with the brick and mortar schools in Big Horn and Tongue River. The discussion is on-going.

All school board meetings, work sessions and special meetings are open to the public, unless the board goes into executive session.