School board votes to approve 'flip-flop' of funding for teacherage project

At the November 14 Hot Springs County School District #1 board meeting, business manager Jessica Benefiel presented a request for the board to consider approval for a depreciation reserve expenditure.

Benefiel said, “The teacherage project is progressing and has incurred expenditures of just over $500,000 as of today, November 7, 2023. This figure includes open purchase orders for electrical, HVAC, and plumbing services.” She went onto explain the figure in further detail.

Benefiel then stated, “On September 29, new guidance was issued to school districts regarding ESSER funding requirements for construction projects. We received an email from the state that had an attachment that included a WDE grant compliance professional’s interpretation of some Davis-Bacon Act requirements that was in direct conflict with what we had been told multiple times previously, both via email and on Zoom.”

Benefiel continued and said, “And so I’m just really nervous that with things changing, that that is not going to be our best source of funding through ESSER. I think that we would be better off to shift over to our depreciation reserve funds. Our depreciation reserve funds were opened in 2020. Those are statutorily allowed to accumulate year to year, but they have restricted uses. So just capital improvements, equipment, for example, you can’t pay bonuses out of there or something along those lines. So they do have restricted uses, which this falls under. Since 2020, we’ve been able to amass, I think at one point it was $3.5 million. There’s been some capital improvements over the last couple of years.”

Benefiel added, “Currently, that account sits just over $2 million with our budgeted teacherage amount of $1.2 million, we would be well within that to fund that. That also removes our restriction of having all those expenditures done. ESSER has to be obligated by September 30 of 2024. So it would be nice to be able to schedule those things out and make sure that we are not in a rush and don’t have to sacrifice our budget and our goals or timelines on those kinds of things. So my recommendation would be to switch that funding source from ESSER three to depreciation reserves.”

Benefiel and Vice-Chair Nichole Weyer discussed that this expenditure is not adding any spending costs to the budget, rather it is a “flip-flop” of where the money is being spent for the teacherage. 

Benefiel also expressed a lack of confidence in getting the guidance they need from the WDE, as they are short-staffed and three people were on extended leave for health reasons in both facilities and grants departments.

According to an ESSER, Frequently Asked Questions government document under B-6. “May ESSER and GEER funds be used for construction? (Updated December 7, 2022) Construction is authorized under Title VII of the ESEA (Impact Aid) and therefore is an allowable use of GEER and ESSER funds under sections 18002(c)(3) and 18003(d)(1) of the CARES Act, sections 312(c)(3) and 313(d)(1) of the CRRSA Act, and section 2001(e)(2) of the ARP Act. The broad Impact 29 Aid definition of “construction” includes new construction as well as remodeling, alterations, renovations, and repairs, under which many activities related to COVID-19 would likely fall.14 However, the Department strongly discourages LEAs from using ESSER or GEER funds for new construction because this use of funds may limit an LEA’s ability to support other essential needs or initiatives. Extensive remodeling, renovation, and new construction are often time-consuming, which may not be workable under the shorter timelines associated with ESSER and GEER funds.”

Benefiel noted that the information from the FAQ is not statute guidelines but are strongly encouraged recommendations from someone who could potentially review them later and possibly have issues with how financials were done.

Benefiel also discussed with the board about Davis-Bacon Act federal guidelines on how contractors have prevailing wage requirements. According to Benefiel, their contractors are in-house and this could increase costs by about an estimated 30%. If they spend the depreciation reserve instead of ESSER, that 30% increase would be prevented.

The school board voted and passed the approval to use the depreciation reserve instead of ESSER funds to pay for the teacherage.

During the Celebrations section, Catelyn Deromedi presented Brooklyn Williams a letter and certificate for a good sportsmanship award for her exemplary conduct in sportsmanship shown during the Thermopolis vs. Powell match on September 15. 

Deromedi also said that the winter sports season starts on November 20 and that speech and debate teams are “off and running”. She also noted the drama team is getting ready for the state drama performance coming in December. Deromedi also said that they held the National Honor Society induction ceremony and academic awards night. About 200 people attended that night. Students were recognized for having a 3.0 GPA or higher. 

An accountant from Casper presented the school district’s audit report and presented a clean audit. The board voted and passed to accept the audit report.

In the superintendent’s report, Dustin Hunt said that Josh Varner is giving a presentation for students, staff and the community about trauma-informed care. The event was funded with the involvement of Jenn Cheney of Prevention Management. Hunt said that “Two out of three students experience trauma,” and that Varner can provide tools with mental health. 

Hunt also noted the increase in the number of safety drills. Aimee Kay has been leading the crisis management program. The drills are for evacuation and potentially active shooters. The projects are also for safety upgrades to the buildings as well. Hunt said that upgrades for security in the administrative building are coming as well. 

Hunt recognized Nichole Weyer for her award for a Wyoming Woman of Influence in Education, along with a letter from Senator John Barasso. Hunt also announced that Weyer was recognized as one of five school board members in the state of Wyoming at the WSBA conference. School board member Joe Martinez was previously inducted in their hall of fame. Chairman Sherman Skelton will also give a presentation there along with other school board members from the state on professional learning communities.

Catelyn Deromedi and Darren Luebbe gave a report about their visit to the UW Residency Fair to meet prospective teachers. This is the second year UW offered this opportunity, but this is the first year HSC was able to participate.

Luebbe said during a panel discussion several questions were asked. The panel included four students in all different places in their education at UW. First, was asked, “What are the biggest challenges in education?” Some answers included a  25% turnover rate of staff, the recruitment of future staff, lack in teacher pay and housing. Luebbe noted that 80% of the superintendents in the state are within their first five years. He said it was “good to make connections and learn how they are working through their challenges.”

Another question was, “Why should student teachers go into education?” Answers given included, “We will advocate for them. We will look out for them. Teaching is a noble occupation. If you go into education changes, you want to help people.”

The next question was, “What are you excited about your student teaching?” Some of those answers included, “New ideas, the connections with students and staff, being in the classroom and the journey, starting with student teaching, getting a job and moving forward in their career.” 

Another question was “What are you worried about within your student teaching?” They answered, “Compensation and living expenses. Living in your vehicle. Housing. The opinions of supervisors and instructors. Juggle the needs of students, peers, and time management. Classroom management.”

The feedback from the panel provided Deromedi and Luebbe an opportunity to know what the student teachers’ concerns are and what they can talk about, and what the school district can provide them. 

Another question was, “Why would you select our school for teaching and employment?” Some of the answers were, “It’s all about housing for me. Where can I find some place to live that’s affordable?” Connection with others was important to the student teachers and that it’s a lot easier to stay when you know people. 

Deromedi and Luebbe held a table discussion to meet students with the aim of recruitment. Deromedi said, “we have a lot to offer” and emphasized the importance of choosing which direction to take in your student teaching. She also said we have to offer student teacher housing, which was a “game changer” in their conversation with potential recruits. Additionally, the focus on student learning “day in and a day out” along with mentorships. The response from the student teachers was that they were going to apply in the spring or in the next couple of years as they continue their education at UW. 

There were no public comments given when asked.

After the board went into executive session, they voted to extend contracts. The board voted and passed approval to extend the contract of Superintendent Dustin Hunt through 2029. All board members voted in favor, with the exception of Bethany Webber, who voted against. 

The board voted and passed approval to extend Breez Daniels’ contract through 2026. All board members voted in favor, with the exception of Bethany Webber, who voted against. 

The board voted and passed approval to extend the contract of Catelyn Deromedi through 2026. All board members voted in favor, with the exception of Bethany Webber, who voted against.