[News From SheridanMedia.com]
Lt. James Hill talks to the attendees
Due to a contentious start of the Nov. 1 SCSD#2 school board meeting, the board at first delayed then meeting then went virtual.
Around 10 parents, none of them wearing masks, attended the meeting to protest the continuing mask requirement for all school buildings.
Present was Douglas Wheeler, who refused to wear a mask, and has been very vocal in his opposition to the mask mandate. Here is a portion of his exchange with Superintendent Stolts:
Wheeler was then asked to leave by SPD Lt. James Hill, and Wheeler felt that he was entitled to attend without a mask due to his disability citing the American’s with disabilities act, which states that no person with a disability, shall, by reason of such disability, “be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services…”
Lt. Hill responded that the school had rules, the same as a public park having rules against such activities as drinking or speeding.
When the attendees refused to leave or wear a mask, Chairman Sue Wilson adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:20 and stated that the meeting would continue in virtual format at 6:45.
The board addressed the two week review of the Covid-19 plan. As of Oct. 25, SCSD#2 has conducted its bi-weekly review of the Covid-19 plan, originally approved by the board of trustees on August 30, 2021.
The following factors were considered as part of the review:
As of October 25, 2021, Sheridan County reported the following: COVID-19 Cases: Sheridan County Residents Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve had 4,046 lab confirmed cases (+43 since Friday) Of those: 173 are active (-28 since Friday) 3,833 are recovered (+71 since Friday) 48 are confirmed deceased Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve had 1,192 probable cases (+7 since Friday) Of those: 57 are active (-17 since Friday) Currently hospitalized in Sheridan County: 18.
The board will remain consistent with the plan as approved on August 30, 2021.
Stults spoke about the third round of federal Covid-19 funds that SCSD#2 received.
In other business, Troy Decker reported the facilities updates, policy updates were read, and an update on the Parent Liason which is a program that offers support to families,
Kassahn Mathson, director, spoke about the parent liaison program which is in it’s seventh year and it is a partnership with SCSD#2 to provide support between parents and schools.
Last year during the pandemic parent liaisons worked with more families than in preceding years. She told the board about a success story about one family, that the mother had left an abusive relationship, and the parent liaison helped by settling the family into temporary housing. They also found transportation for children to and from school from the new home. Within a month, they found low-income housing for them and the kids didn’t miss a day of school.
She said that they want to extend their marketing efforts so they can continue to support families.
She introduced the other liaisons in each of the SCSD#2 schools, Amber Gable, Whitney Hoist, Lyndsey Schilleman, Kelly Rickett, Dimitra Dugal.
Stults mentioned moving the legislative round table from Nov. 15 to Nov. 8. Board approved the scheduled round table.
Superintendent Scott Stults Pat Blair Photo
Rebbeca Adsit introduced the secondary principals and their plans for school improvement. She said the ACT scores will be out later this month and they will be addressed at the December board meeting. She then introduced Mike Swan of Schiffer, who gave a report on the Discovery training at Schiffer School. Teachers attended a four day Discovery training before school. Discovery is a concrete skill based program that is designed to improve student achievement.
Swan said that Schiffer currently has 64 students, and has a waiting list of other wanting to attend.
New SHS principal Dr. Mike Carnes that SHS is focusing on various ways for students to learn. “In person learning is best, but, we currently have six in our virtual academy, 14 in hybrid, and some take classes in both arenas.” He said one goal is to keep students on course to graduate. “We want to examine why kids may drop out, and help to increase graduation rates.”
He added that “It is awesome to work with students and staff at SHS.”
SJHS principal talked about SJHS and the Right Place. She said that “We all want to make a difference in our school and our community. We offer many classes in addition to our core classes. We have a full schedule of extracurricular activities that are free to families and student.” She added that SJHS has added Discovery training.
Shawn Stevens reported on a bus disposal of an old bus. Board moved to dispose of the bus as per Stevens’ recommendation.
WSB conference was discussed, the meeting is coming up in November.
The Whitney Trustee appointments, Brandi Bilyeu, Nadine Gale, Dr. Stephen Holst, Kim Love and Pam Peldo were announced, as well as appointing Mandy Galloway as board member-at-large to the Sheridan County Rec District.
In his superintendents report, Stults had this to say about the masks for students.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50
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Last modified: November 2, 2021