Five speak on school board positions

Though seven are on the ballot for the Hot Springs County School District Trustees, only five were present at Thursday night’s candidate forum to speak to the community. The election is for four, each with a four-year term

Joe Martinez spoke about his wife’s various positions as a teacher and daycare provider, noting that both of them are passionate about education, evidenced by their children’s love of school. There are some great things going on in the district, he said, and it will only get better.

One of the big concerns is the budget, Martinez said. “We have to take this opportunity to advocate and talk to our legislators, and ensure that we at least maintain our budget for the education of our students.” If that budget is not maintained, he cautioned, items such as extracurricular activities will see hits. Vocational classes are important to the students’ education, he said, for them to see fields such as agriculture, electrical and plumbing. While the students can be the biggest part of the workforce, Martinez noted it’s important they also have the opportunity to pursue college, but neither option would be available without the funding. He added he has positive relationships with current legislators, and would work to gain their ear.

Clay VanAntwerp was born in Thermopolis and has since been a resident here, with the exception of four years in the Navy, his time in college and seven years teaching in Rock Springs.

Van Antwerp has been on the school board for eight years, and said it’s been a great honor to serve the community in this way. There have been some good decisions made, he said, and there’s been some good evidence to show the students are doing well.

“Our goal is to be the top performing district in the state, and I think we’re getting there.” There are some great people here, he added, and they’re doing some great things. He acknowledged the budget is a big deal, and he has spoken with legislators, telling them he wants the students now to have what he had, including vocational and athletic programs. Such programs are what keep kids in school, he said, and give them a diversified education and preparedness for the future.

Beth Lewis noted she’s lived in Thermopolis the past nine years. She has one son in the school district, and a second who will join in a couple years. Lewis said she’s had the experience of seeing school districts run from various perspectives. Her mother and sister are both teachers, and her own career has been with early childhood, working with kids ages 0-5 and helping them transition into the district.

Lewis said she truly believes any decision made at the school board level needs to have the kids in mind, and that is her position. “I want our school district to be number one in the state, and I want to help us get there.”

Nichole Weyer has been on the school board for two years, and said it’s been a privilege to serve the students and staff in that arena. The past two years have seen some significant changes, she said, including changing the school hours to allow teachers time to collaborate with one another, and data has shown such decisions have had a dramatic increase on what the students are learning.

Weyer currently has six children at home, all of whom are in the school system. “Education is incredibly important to my family,” she noted, adding she and her husband both have higher education degrees.

As a Wyoming-certified teacher, Weyer said being on the school board helps keep her updated with regard to her career and being able to keep that certification.

Weyer said the children are the most important, and they are in the forefront of her mind.

Travis Bomengen said the school board, on which he’s participated the past eight years, has been an awesome experience. It’s been a time for him to give back to the community, a way to stay involved and to be involved with education. He noted he’s spent plenty of time in the books and knows the importance of a quality education.

“In Thermopolis, quality education for me is not necessarily sending somebody to be able to do what I do. It’s preparing these kids, our kids, to be able to be successful when they graduate.” Bomengen said he continues to push for the subject of science on the board, and he would continue to do that.

Also on the ballot are Tonya Petty and Nikki Slagle.