In their monthly meeting held July 12, 2023, the School Board of Lincoln County School District No. 2 discussed the current construction projects at Osmond and Afton Elementary Schools and approved the Budget for the 2023-24 school year.  Among other things, they approved changes to several bus routes, adjusted graduation requirements at Star Valley High School, and accepted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the new Star Valley Soccer Club.

Maintenance and Construction – Additions to OES and AES are very close to completion.  Though students will likely be returning to school prior to final completion of the additions, teachers and students will be able to continue their educational activities as the construction is completed.  “[Our maintenance crews] are getting it done with tight windows and construction going on,” commented Superintendent Matt Erickson in the board meeting. “They are some work horses, and they need to be applauded.”

Budget – LCSD No. 2 Director of Finance, JC Inskeep, reviewed the proposed budget, reassuring the board and the public, that the finance team takes every precaution to prevent over-spending, and to ensure that finances are governed with sound financial principles, and a reasonable reserve is maintained at all times.  Additionally, he was clear about the district’s commitment to meeting student needs within that budget.  “When this District needs to fix something that is critical to education, we’re okay. We will fix it every time because it’s what we need to do.” In the past few years, the district has restructured the way each building spends their allotted funds so that it’s easily tracked. “We put it in the software. Now it’s reportable and we track it here on the budget. It will also be audited, and now it has a lot of accountability.”

Transportation – After careful consideration, the board approved changes that were proposed to the 2023-24 bus routes throughout the district.  In the work session prior to the meeting, the board had suggested several adjustments to the proposal, and those adjustments were reviewed and honored in the public discussion.  The purpose of the changes is to streamline routes and protect students and buses from potential transportation challenges.  Transportation officials are hoping to move bus stops away from potentially unsafe traffic situations and hazardous road conditions.  According to Chairman, Wade Hirschi, these also may include areas where “…we wouldn’t normally provide transportation, but because of a hazard, we’re still providing transportation and we’re also approving those exceptions because, by state statute, we have to approve the exceptions to those ‘No Transportation Zones.’” Board Member, Homer Bennet.