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By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Carbon County School District 1 employees should see their salaries increase by 6 percent next year.
That means more than $2,000 should find its way into the pockets of entry-level employees making the base salary, according to Denise Ashline of the District 1 teacher’s association. Employees saw an increase of $300 to their base salary last year, she said.
“I’m not going to say we’re ecstatic, but we feel we’ve done the best we can with the money that’s coming in,” Ashline said.
The raise applies to all district employees.
In addition to the percentage pay raises, employees get what’s called “step” raises each year. For each additional year of service, an employee can earn up to $650. Enhancing their education can also earn a pay increase.
The compensation plan’s other change is that employees now have to pay for most of their dental insurance, Ashline said. Last year, the district covered all of the expenses, but now they offer $24.75 each month toward payments for individuals and families.
Money that comes from the state gets budgeted by the district to cover all school expenses. Because the cost to run the schools has gone up, the state Legislature allocated funds differently.
The School District 1 Board allocated some of the new money to staff to help cover an increased cost of living, as well as to help maintain the step raises
Friday, April 25, 2008
School to enhance programs
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Saratoga Elementary School is hoping to expand an educational enrichment program next year through grants.
Called “Lights On,” the Friday program takes advantage of the school’s four-day school week.
“We will continue (the program),” said Principal Dave Rangitsch, “the question is to what extent.”
Next week, he should hear whether the school received a requested $14,000 grant from the Wyoming Department of Education’s Student Enrichment Pilot Project.
“My pie in the sky vision is to take kids on what you might call cultural field trips,” Rangitsch said.
Because students are in class Monday through Thursday, field trips only take place on Fridays. If the money is granted, outings could include visiting the Wyoming State Penitentiary in Rawlins, the Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center, or the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, both of which are in Casper.
The money would be paired with $1,500 already in the bank from the Wyoming Arts Council’s Open Door Art Enrichment Program and Carbon County School District 2. This money should continue to fund a seven-week art enrichment series with artists in the Platte Valley.
The grant might also open up the possibility of giving stipends to community aids, which could help win teachers some free time for staff development on Fridays.
Robotics, rocket making and wilderness science programs should continue or be enhanced with the potential grant. Each program is aimed at helping children succeed in meeting national education standards.
“I have to relate back to the state that each of these programs address requirements for the students,” Rangitsch said. “They’re not just fun.”
Times staff writer
Saratoga Elementary School is hoping to expand an educational enrichment program next year through grants.
Called “Lights On,” the Friday program takes advantage of the school’s four-day school week.
“We will continue (the program),” said Principal Dave Rangitsch, “the question is to what extent.”
Next week, he should hear whether the school received a requested $14,000 grant from the Wyoming Department of Education’s Student Enrichment Pilot Project.
“My pie in the sky vision is to take kids on what you might call cultural field trips,” Rangitsch said.
Because students are in class Monday through Thursday, field trips only take place on Fridays. If the money is granted, outings could include visiting the Wyoming State Penitentiary in Rawlins, the Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center, or the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, both of which are in Casper.
The money would be paired with $1,500 already in the bank from the Wyoming Arts Council’s Open Door Art Enrichment Program and Carbon County School District 2. This money should continue to fund a seven-week art enrichment series with artists in the Platte Valley.
The grant might also open up the possibility of giving stipends to community aids, which could help win teachers some free time for staff development on Fridays.
Robotics, rocket making and wilderness science programs should continue or be enhanced with the potential grant. Each program is aimed at helping children succeed in meeting national education standards.
“I have to relate back to the state that each of these programs address requirements for the students,” Rangitsch said. “They’re not just fun.”
Job fair set for next week
Times staff report
The Platte Valley Community Center in Saratoga is hosting the Carbon County Job Fair on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m.
In its second year, the job fair is open to the public and free of charge. Employers looking for part-time, full-time and seasonal help should be present.
Some of the employers who are currently registered for the event include Hyland Enterprises, Century 21 Realty, Shively Hardware, South Central Wyoming Healthcare and Rehabilitation, the University of Wyoming, the Kathouse Bar and Grill, Travel Centers of America and the Wyoming State Penitentiary.
“We’re excited that such a wide range of employers have signed up to participate,” Tera Mueske, marketing communications manager for the Carbon County Higher Education Center, stated in a release. “Many of the employers are from right here in Carbon County, but there are people coming from all over the state.”
Job seekers can also practice their interviewing skills at the fair in mock interviews with CCHEC faculty.
For more information, call Mueske at 328-9274.
The Platte Valley Community Center in Saratoga is hosting the Carbon County Job Fair on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m.
In its second year, the job fair is open to the public and free of charge. Employers looking for part-time, full-time and seasonal help should be present.
Some of the employers who are currently registered for the event include Hyland Enterprises, Century 21 Realty, Shively Hardware, South Central Wyoming Healthcare and Rehabilitation, the University of Wyoming, the Kathouse Bar and Grill, Travel Centers of America and the Wyoming State Penitentiary.
“We’re excited that such a wide range of employers have signed up to participate,” Tera Mueske, marketing communications manager for the Carbon County Higher Education Center, stated in a release. “Many of the employers are from right here in Carbon County, but there are people coming from all over the state.”
Job seekers can also practice their interviewing skills at the fair in mock interviews with CCHEC faculty.
For more information, call Mueske at 328-9274.
Medicine Bow spring concert planned
Times staff report
Wednesday’s Medicine Bow Elementary School spring concert should include a bit of break dancing.
Kenny Wohl can do the worm, a dance move where the performer ripples across the stage floor.
Wohl’s work has been particularly impressive to Jill McCann, the school’s music teacher. He is in the special-needs program because the right side of his brain doesn’t communicate with the left side, which means his logic does not communicate well with arts and emotion.
On stage along with 20-or-so peers, Wohl will also be part of the band.
The concert will be held in the school’s gym at 7 p.m.
Wednesday’s Medicine Bow Elementary School spring concert should include a bit of break dancing.
Kenny Wohl can do the worm, a dance move where the performer ripples across the stage floor.
Wohl’s work has been particularly impressive to Jill McCann, the school’s music teacher. He is in the special-needs program because the right side of his brain doesn’t communicate with the left side, which means his logic does not communicate well with arts and emotion.
On stage along with 20-or-so peers, Wohl will also be part of the band.
The concert will be held in the school’s gym at 7 p.m.
Elk Mountain spring concert on tap
Times staff report
At Tuesday’s Elk Mountain Elementary School spring concert, visitors will have the chance to hear the accordion.
Garrett Irene has natural talent, coming from a musical family, but his work ethic surprises music teacher Jill McCann.
The youngster found his grandfather’s accordion when the family was cleaning house, and he decided he wanted to play. Making the transition from last year’s instrument of choice — the harmonica — to the air-controlled piano instrument, Irene had to work hard to learn from books and tapes purchased on the Internet.
The handful of Irene’s peers at the school will perform alongside Irene in their annual band and choir concert at 7 p.m. in the Elk Mountain Elementary gym. Students should also read their definitions of what music means to them.
At Tuesday’s Elk Mountain Elementary School spring concert, visitors will have the chance to hear the accordion.
Garrett Irene has natural talent, coming from a musical family, but his work ethic surprises music teacher Jill McCann.
The youngster found his grandfather’s accordion when the family was cleaning house, and he decided he wanted to play. Making the transition from last year’s instrument of choice — the harmonica — to the air-controlled piano instrument, Irene had to work hard to learn from books and tapes purchased on the Internet.
The handful of Irene’s peers at the school will perform alongside Irene in their annual band and choir concert at 7 p.m. in the Elk Mountain Elementary gym. Students should also read their definitions of what music means to them.
Scholarship for women offered
Times staff report
Scholarships are available for women pursuing degrees, licenses or certifications through higher education.
The Philanthropic Education Organization, based in Des Moines, Iowa, has funds available for women needing financial assistance to pursue a degree.
To qualify, applicants must be accepted to a school of higher education and be pursuing a degree on a part-time or full-time basis for the semester of application. She must also have and maintain a 2.5 grade point average.
Applications for the two $500 scholarships, to be awarded in $250 sums throughout two semesters, are due May 15.
Patty Pedersen, student services coordinator at the Carbon County Higher Education Center, estimated that the scholarships could fund a class or a few books.
Paperwork and information is available from Pedersen at CCHEC’s main campus or by calling 328-9204.
Scholarships are available for women pursuing degrees, licenses or certifications through higher education.
The Philanthropic Education Organization, based in Des Moines, Iowa, has funds available for women needing financial assistance to pursue a degree.
To qualify, applicants must be accepted to a school of higher education and be pursuing a degree on a part-time or full-time basis for the semester of application. She must also have and maintain a 2.5 grade point average.
Applications for the two $500 scholarships, to be awarded in $250 sums throughout two semesters, are due May 15.
Patty Pedersen, student services coordinator at the Carbon County Higher Education Center, estimated that the scholarships could fund a class or a few books.
Paperwork and information is available from Pedersen at CCHEC’s main campus or by calling 328-9204.
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