SCSD#2 Recognizes students, teachers.

The SCSD#2 recognized student athletics, Skills USA Winners, and scholarship recipients at the Monday, May 1, board meeting. Several teachers and staff were also recognized by the board for their awards.

Carol Reed was named certified staff person of the year; Devon Johnston was named SCSD#2 Teacher of the year and the WSAE (Wyoming Secondary Art Educators) named Bob Hanchett, as Art Teacher of the Year. Kasey Garnhart introduced the Winter Coaches of the Year, Tyson Shatto, 4A Boys’ Wrestling, & Taylor Kelting, 4A Girls’ Indoor Track.

Tyson Shatto introduced the Boys Wrestling State Champions, & Individual Boys and Girls State Champions, and those who attended the board meeting each said a few words. Taylor Kelting introduced the Girls Indoor State Champions & Individual State Champions

Several of the SkillsUSA Competition winners attended the meeting, Cody Moeller, Nolan Schaale, Cody Weaver, Kayla Clymore, Braden Leerssen, Brody Leerssen, Aydia Knutson, Marly Graham, Corbin Dow and teacher Heidi Richins introduced the winners.

UW Trustee Scholars: Eva Allred, Olivia Ballew, Ellen Brown, Evan Feck, Logan Gilbertz, Annie Hoffmann, Kyle Rockwell, Aiden Roth, Jake Woodrow receieved UW trustee Scholars Scholarships, and there were Gillian Mitzel was the receiptent of the Daniels Fund Scholar Scholarship.

Superintendent Scott Stults talked about the school being named one of America’s Best Communities for Music Education and he said this about the SCSD#2 students.

Before moving into old business, there was a motion to move the audience comment section earlier in the meeting as most of the comments concerned the library materials policy which was being voted on by the board. The comment section was held to one hour, and speakers each had three minutes to state their case to the board.

One speaker, Ray Olson, talked about some of the books that had been banned by a group named Moms for Liberty.

The library policy includes an ‘opt-out’ for parents who have objections their children reading any of the materials in the libraries. There was a lively but civil discussion with many comments from parents who expressed concerns about the content in many of the books, and many audience members feeling that banning any books was not what the school district should consider.

Jolene Olson had this to say.

On an opposing view, Nancy Stevens had this to say

She added that there were many graphic sex scenes that she felt were out of place for young students.

Sue Wilson, retired chairman of the SCSD#2 Board, talked about the board’s responsibilities according to board policy.

The board voted 7-2 to accept the policy with the ‘opt-out’.

In other business the board approved the 2023-24 student handbook, purchasing a new lift for the bus barn to work on the buses, and approval of facility usage fees increase. Stults recommended that the 2024 and 2025 graduations be held on a Friday evening instead of on a Sunday. This year the SHS graduation will be on May 28.