Board Recognizes Food Service Staff, Computer Science Teachers

There were two recognitions Monday night, Feb. 6, at the SCSD#2 Board of Trustees meeting. Leslie Haberkern, food services manager, talked about the food service staff, saying she had 35 employees who have collectively 115 years of experience. She talked about how important they are to the students.

She added that the aim of the school nutrition worker is to help nourish the students. The health and physical well-being of all students affect their ability to learn. She talked about how hard the food service staff work at SCSD#2, saying since Aug 30, 2022, until this week, they have served 385, 929 meals and washed approximately 202,500 trays.

Haberkern said the knowledge they bring to the lunch table is invaluable. She mentioned time management, menu preparation and adhering to federal regulations. “My staff is here because they care about the kids,” Haberkern added.

Trustee Ed Fessler commended the food service staff, saying he had heard good reports about the food at the high school.

Kristie Garriffa introduced Abby Hurley and Gina Carroll, computer science teachers. Garriffa added that computer science is about preparing kids for a world that doesn’t exist yet. She added that SCSD#2 was honored for the computer science program recently.

In his superintendent’s report, Scott Stults talked about the goal of resource utilization saying human capital was the most valued resource. He also mentioned that last year’s legislature changed the reserve funds from 15% to 30%. They have increased cash reserves so when days come when they may need extra funds, they have that reserve.

He talked about the staff salary schedule, saying Sheridan is fourth out of 48 districts, but he felt they could do better. He said he felt that they should increase the salary and benefits for new teachers to hire and retain them.

He also talked about the excellence of the schools in SCSD#2,

Stults also commended the students on recent dance held at the school and how well the 400 students conducted themselves.

He also mentioned the library book policy, and the school’s opt-out policy, which is what many community members and parents have concerns about. He said the policy is being revisited by the board, and that they are working to make it better. He said they have a review team and they have started a review process for books called into question.

The board also heard updates on the pilot preschool program, facilities improvements and the purchase of a new school bus. Transportation Director Shawn Stevens reported that the bus company was letting the school purchase a larger bus for the same price as was quoted for a smaller bus, which was a win-win for the district. The new bus will ride 78 students, where the bus originally ordered would only carry 60.

Krisitie Garriffa talked about graduation rates, saying Wyoming overall had an 81.1% graduation rate, and that SCSD#2 has an 85.1% graduation rate, which is above the state average.

Scott Cleland, Principal at SHS, presented an out-of-country travel request for a class trip to Costa Rica. The board approved the request.

The trustees reported on the Wyoming Legislative session they attended recently as well.

The floor was then opened for audience comments, with fifteen community members who had signed up to express their concerns with the library books at SCSD#2. This will be addressed in the next story.