SCSD#1 Has New Mission Statement

The SCSD#1 Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, August 19. Chairman Clint Krumm read the new mission statement for the school, “Empowering Learners, Enriching Lives.”

The board heard the first presentation of the school year from Kendra Barney who talked about the Early Childhood Education program in SCSD#1.

She stressed the need for more facilities for early childhood care in Sheridan County.

She added that there are only two childcare centers in Sheridan that are licensed to accept infants.

Barney told the board about some of the successes they are having with the programs.

She said her parents are our biggest cheerleaders. One parent, Brittney Denham Whisonant, talked about how they helped her youngsters, especially her son, who is now in first grade, and struggled in other programs.

Whisonant said that the early childhood education in SCSD#1 came up with a plan that helped her son to successfully transition into a traditional school.

Brad Gregorich, new principal of Big Horn High School, and Brian Lawson, Big Horn Middle School Principal, complimented the work that Barney is doing as well.

Following the presentation, the principals in SCSD#1 reported on the first few days of school, and how they felt that the school year was starting out well for all the schools in SCSD#1. Each principal gave a report on how many students they had in their schools, with the total for SCSD#1 Brick and Mortar schools being at 1121 this year. The Cowboy State Virtual academy has approximately 170 students this year.

Visitor and parent Shelta Rambur spoke to the board about her concern about the policies that addressed home school students, and some of the wording in policies that addressed curriculum, and age-appropriate books should be a requirement for the teacher’s selection of materials.

In other business, Jeremy Smith, business manager, said that there was a slight increase, $.25, in the lunch prices for the 6-12 students, and that, should the cost of vegetables increase significantly, the other lunch prices may increase.

The board also approved several policies, the MOU with the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office; the crisis handbook and an early graduation request.