WASA Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
July 14, 2012
Lusk, Wyoming
Members present: Ray Schulte (Torrington), Richard Strahorn (Gillette), Pam Shea (Jackson), Jay Harnack (Pinedale), Jay Curtis (Meeteetse), David Nicholas (Worland), Dan Coe (Lovell), Dan Stephan, and guests, Cindy Hill and Bill Pannell (WDE), and Heather Duncan (UW).
Ray Schulte, President-Elect, called the meeting to order at 9:20 a.m., and introduced Executive Committee Members and welcomed Heather Duncan from UW.
Motion was made by Dan Coe and seconded by Richard Strahorn to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Legislative issues were discussed that included the importance of an ECA for this session. Several districts have budgets where their expenditures are exceeding their revenue. Some cuts in district budgets are being made. A lengthy discussion was held regarding accountability issues and the work that is being done as the second phase proceeds.
Jay Harnack addressed his district’s concern regarding the moratorium on the building of alternative high schools and hopes to gain support to proceed with construction of these facilities. Districts mentioned to have interest in this issue include Sublette #1, Carbon #2, and Goshen #1.
Ray Schulte welcomed Cindy Hill and Bill Pannell from WDE as they discussed accountability update and distributed information. Cindy stated that she had received an Attorney General’s opinion and the Body of Evidence is no longer in Chapter 31. WDE has created an accountability study group in an effort to assist the Advisory Committee and the superintendent representatives on this group are: Paul Grube and David Nicholas.
Cindy asked for a superintendent representative to assist the department in working with Advanced Ed and Dan Coe volunteered to serve in this capacity.
Pam Shea and Dan Stephan discussed the WASA Spring Conference that will be held in Casper at the Ramada Plaza Riverside, April 24-26, 2013. The Southwest Superintendents will host this event and the agenda is being developed through this group.
Dan reminded the Committee that the New Superintendents Workshop will be in Riverton, September 20-21, 2012. Block rooms are available at the Hampton and the workshop will be held in the Fremont #25 Boardroom. The four new superintendents are: Barry Bryant in Big Horn #3, Dennis Fischer in Platte #1, Mike Hejtmanek at St. Stephens, and Summer Stephens in Weston #7.
Shon Hocker will be attending the AASA Governing Board Meeting in Washington, D.C., next week, Brian Recht is unable to attend the D.C. meeting as he is working with the School Facilities Department regarding his high school.
Dan Stephan provided information from Jon Abrams that districts are reminded they may obtain background checks for new employees upon request. Jon also desires a conversation with the Executive Committee regarding continuing contract status at the September meeting in Riverton.
Dan Stephan discussed AASA block housing at the National Conference February 21-23, 2013, in Los Angeles, California. WASA’s hotel is J.W. Marriott, LA Live, 900 West Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, California. Our confirmed hotel rate is $259 for a single or a double room. State association blocks opened July 11, 2012, and will remain open through October 31, 2012. Rooms not assigned names by October 31, 2012, will be released from the Wyoming block to the general public. Reservation changes or cancellations must be made in writing through AASA’s housing. Do not contact the hotel directly. All changes and cancellations must be received by January 25, 2013.
Reservations can be made through accessing our user account AASA3@WYO_USR and the password is q5veephx, or conference registration and housing arrangements can also be made on the AASA website.
The Wyoming contact for AASA Housing information is LeAngela Stemmler, . We have had great success reserving our rooms by calling LeAngela at (415) 979-2203 (as another option).
Dan discussed corporate sponsors and some changes for the 2012-2013 year. He stated that the Sustaining Level has been eliminated and a Platinum Level of $7,500 has been added.
Dan Stephan presented the WASA budget projection for 2012-2013 with a current balance of $30,308.54. Motion was made by David Nicholas and seconded by Dan Coe to accept the budget projection for the upcoming year. Motion was approved unanimously.
Dan reviewed the 2012-2013 WASA calendar.
The meeting recessed to an executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened and motion was made by Richard Strahorn and seconded by Jay Curtis to increase WASA salaries by 5 percent. Motion was approved unanimously.
Ray Schulte adjourned the meeting at 11:42 a.m.