GOSHEN COUNTY – Goshen County School District No. 1’s final meeting before the first day of school drew notable attendance and viewership on Aug. 11, as the board voted to require spectators to wear face coverings at extracurricular events, heard from concerned parents and community members and discussed plexiglass dividers.

Superintendent Ryan Kramer said the district ordered the plexiglass devices, but have not yet received a ship date, though students are set to return Aug. 18.

Kramer said based on input from administrators, approximately 40% of GCSD classrooms are conducive to social distancing, meaning students can learn without masks. This figure is higher than a previous estimate of 10%.

“That is partially due to some of our areas in which we have been able to have those class sizes that are smaller in a larger area,” Kramer said. 

Kramer said it’s too early to quantify how many students will opt out of in-person learning in favor of remote options, but he currently estimates it’s roughly 10% of the population.

“I don’t have a hard number today, because we’re still in the process of contacting students,” he said.

The district accepted a donation of 1,500 masks from Torrington Community Hospital/Banner Health.

“That will be incredibly helpful for our staff and students,” said Board Chair Katherine Patrick.

The board unanimously approved an exception for Lingle-Fort Laramie High School to District Policy 5150.5, which states no student activities are scheduled Wednesday night. The exception is for a rescheduled 1A State Volleyball Tournament. Board member Mark Jespersen asked this policy be considered, among others, for deletion.

“I would ask that we suspend this one also in the event of any sort of conflict with the Wyoming High School Activities Association sanctioned event,” Jespersen said.

L-FL Athletic Director Mike Lashley also asked the policy be adjusted, as it can be difficult to ask for board approval in the event of last minute rescheduling.

“And I can’t imagine that the board is going to say no, sorry, kids you can’t go to your event,” Lashley said.

The board also accepted the resignation of Torrington High School special education teacher Christine Quillen. Jespersen and other board members thanked her for her years of service. 

“My sister was a special ed student when we were in school, I know what it takes to help those kids along,” Jespersen said. 

The board unanimously approved contracting with both Landscaping Plus for a sprinkler system and sod at the district track in the total amount of $19,125 and MSI for heating line repair at L-FL high school in the total amount of $36,262. 

They also unanimously approved purchase of cleaning and disinfecting supplies for the district from Bluffs Sanitary Supply in the amount of $16,699.65, bringing the total cost of cleaning supplies for the year thus far to nearly $42,000. 

“Is it going to take more than this, or are we kind of done?” asked board member Rod Wagner.

Kramer said these increased expenditures are funded by the CARES Act and are necessary due to cleaning requirements amid COVID-19.

Lincoln Elementary Principal Nyana Simms and Torrington High School Assistant Principal Dave Plendl each presented favorable results for elementary, middle and high school programs, respectively. They both complemented students on their compliance with social distancing measures in place due to COVID-19. 

“The kids we had there knew and understood and tried to abide that as much as they could,” Simms said of elementary-aged students.

GCSD staff in-service day was held over Zoom on Aug. 11, where Kramer shared a photo of an excited Will Ferrell playing Elf as a message for teachers.

“Whether we’re having face coverings, whether we’re having social distancing, every single one of our kindergarteners is coming Tuesday with that excitement,” Kramer said. “This is their Christmas.

“It’s unique, it’s interesting how we’re going to attack this and still educate our students and provide them with the best opportunities that we can.”

The next regular board meeting will be Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.