By Karla Pomeroy
Editor
Out-of-state school trips for April 2018 approved
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WORLAND — If parents thought this April was busy; just wait until next year. The Washakie County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees, after some discussion, approved two out-of-state trips for the 2017-2018 school year.
The out-of-state trips are for the jazz band to attend the Reno Jazz Festival in Reno, Nev., and for the AP history seniors class to take the annual trip to Washington, D.C. Both trips are in April with the jazz festival first, followed by the trip to D.C.
Superintendent David Nicholas explained that the groups are seeking permission for a school-approved activity, but the students will raise the funds for the expenses.
It was noted that next year’s spring break is the first week of April, followed by the annual State FFA Convention, then the jazz festival the next week and then the D.C. trip, which means a student could miss a lot of school in April.
Incoming Worland High School Principal Wade Sanford said, “I’m unaware of anyone who is going to be attending all three [activities in April]. I hate to negate an entire group from going due to two to three conflicts.”
He said there is enough time to identify students who may be participating in more than one of the trips and working with the student and parent to ensure the student keeps up with the work. “We’re going to try to be proactive,” he said.
He added that jazz band instructor Willie Wright and history teacher Randy Durr did coordinate schedules since originally they were both on the same week.
The motion to approve both trips was approved unanimously. Board member Dean Dupree, however, did express concerns about all the trips that were being approved.
In other business Monday, the board:
•Heard a report from WHS Principal Kevin Smith regarding the alternative education proposal. He said the proposal could be used as an application for an alternative school should the moratorium on alternative schools be lifted.
He said the proposal does call for renovation of the nurse’s office at the high school to be used for alternative education classroom, including online classes.
Smith said the process for students starts with an informational meeting, then the student fills out an application, a team determines acceptance, and then the student meets with the alternative education team to discuss the alternative setting, including asking the student why an alternative setting might help them be successful.
He said students will have to be full-time students but that can include online course work, traditional classes and work experience.
The alternative education is to try and help students who may be considering dropping out of school.
Smith said one year the high school had 21 students drop out before their sophomore year. This year’s Class of 2017 had 14 students drop after their freshman year.
•Approved third and final reading to updates to several policies to comply with Every Student Succeeds Act.
•Prior to adjournment, the board went into closed executive session to discuss the master teacher and bell ringer awards.
•Approved an initial Class of 2017 list with 96 on the list. Worland High School Principal Kevin Smith said 94 of the 96 are planning to walk during the ceremony on May 21.
