LUSK - The Niobrara County School District #1 school board met on April 10 for their monthly meeting. During the meeting, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) team gave a brief presentation about their individual and team performances at the state competition. This is the largest team that FBLA has ever had to qualify for nationals. Each member of the FBLA team introduced themselves and gave a brief synopsis of what they competed in. They asked the school board if they would help with a donation to go towards their trip to Orlando, Florida from June 25 to July 3. The team has already prepared by doing a lot of fundraising this year. Some of the fundraisers include Career Technical Education (CTE) and Fine Arts Night on Wednesday, April 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at NCHS. Tickets will cost $12 for adults and $7 for children. FBLA team will also be hosting a Mustard Seed Dinner at St. George’s Episcopal church from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on May 8. They are also working with the Niobrara Alumni Golf Tournament.

Last year, the school board gave each qualifier $1,000 to help with costs.

FBLA team coach Laura Lyons began with a brief thumbnail of the FBLA team’s efforts and successes during their recent state competition.

Lyons said, “I know how hard the kids work. So, I want them to go to nationals. The hours that they have put in because they want to go and they want to be together and to make those memories with their best friends. Those memories are forever and just knowing that we get to take our kids outside of Niobrara county and they get to see the world on a larger scale and they also get to represent Wyoming.”

“Our product is within and within FBLA. Those skills within will be with them for life,” Lyons continued.

An unprecedented 23 Niobrara County High School (NCHS) students is attending the national competition.

The board will be giving funds again this year in support of the team.

Lusk Police Chief Jacob gave an update to the school board about the Student Resource Officer (SRO) position that Police Officer Chris Smith will be training for. Gordon told the board that he had already met with the Town of Lusk council and Niobrara County commissioners and both government entities have agreed to help with sharing the costs of this position. Gordon reiterated the importance of his choice of Smith to fill this position. According to Gordon, Smith already has a rapport with the students. He gave the board a copy of a contract that he stated was not the final draft. Gordon stated that he wanted to be very transparent and he knew that this has been a concern with the board.

“The plan is having the SRO here, at every meeting, every month,” Gordon said. “If he can’t be here, I will be here. I want to make sure that the board is kept with updates as much as possible. I want that to be available to you guys and going forward with that.”

Gordon said that Smith will also be meeting with the Lance Creek school. He will be introducing himself and answering any questions that they may have. One question that the board had was concerning costs. Gordon said that NCSD #1 will be covering 40 percent in a lump sum payment at the end of the fiscal year. This sum amounts to $40,000. The split for costs will be 20 percent from Niobrara County, 30 percent from the town of Lusk and 40percent from NCSD #1. Costs for the basic training of the SRO program for the will come to $500.

Students of the month were Middle School attendee Peyton Fullmer, NCHS attendee David West, LEMS attendee Berkely Hodge, and Pre-Kindergarten attendees Kennadi Stallman and Blakely Hodge.