Superintendent Matt Erickson from Lincoln County School District #2 stepped into the SVI Radio studio on Tuesday, July 22.

A full transcript of the interview can be found below.

(0:00) It’s time for the monthly report from Lincoln County School District (0:03) number two in Cokeville Star Valley, Superintendent Matt Erickson in studio today. (0:07) Good morning, Superintendent. (0:08) How’s your summer going so far? (0:10) Good morning, Duke.
Going well. Thank you. (0:12) Goes by quick, doesn’t it? (0:14) I mean, we’re what, five, maybe six, how many weeks away from school? (0:18) Well, principals, the admin team returns (0:23) into next week.
(0:24) So August 1st, (0:26) then teachers are back the 18th of August. (0:29) So we’ll be meeting at Star Valley High with all (0:34) 550 plus employees for a welcome back (0:37) party, so to speak. (0:39) Yeah, a party, right? Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah. (0:42) And just like that, you’re into it.
(0:43) The 25, 26 school year students, August 20 something. (0:48) What is it? (0:49) So this year, the calendar is a little bit different in Star Valley. (0:52) Instead of having teachers back in training for a full week, (0:56) it’ll just be three days.
(0:57) So students start on Thursday. (1:00) So they’ll go Thursday and Friday of that first week, (1:03) the week of August 18th. (1:04) So teachers are in August 18th, 19th and 20th.
(1:08) And students start the 21st. (1:11) And then in Cokeville, they start the following Monday. (1:13) Students do.
(1:14) Got you. And then you’re off and running. (1:16) Perfect.
(1:16) Superintendent, just some items that have been discussed in board (1:20) meeting and leading up to the school year. (1:22) Of course, there’s the legislative policy (1:24) that rescinded gun free zones across the state, including school campuses. (1:28) It gave schools the ability if they choose to create their own policy (1:33) regarding it.
(1:34) Give us a status on what the board’s thinking (1:36) in the direction the district may go here. (1:38) OK, so that’s a great question, Duke. (1:41) We’ll be having a work session at five o’clock, August 13th, (1:45) prior to immediately prior to our board meeting.
(1:48) And at this point, I think it would be safe to say that (1:52) the school board is tapping the brakes and we’re just going to take this slow. (1:59) The new legislation does provide an opportunity, (2:02) should school boards desire to put a rule or policy in place. (2:08) But the rules or policies are simply for employees (2:12) and volunteers of the school district.
(2:14) So the way the law reads is anybody that has any adult (2:19) doesn’t apply to students. (2:21) Any adult that has a valid Wyoming (2:25) concealed carry permit and has a desire can conceal carry (2:29) in any school in the state of Wyoming now. (2:33) So the direction that the board’s going right now is (2:37) just going to take it slow and get a lot of public input.
(2:41) And again, we’re having a work session, August 13th, five o’clock, (2:45) and Sheriff Johnson will be there as well as (2:49) the school district’s legal counsel, John Bowers. (2:51) And we’ll be discussing the parameters and how that applies. (2:57) OK.
And then kind of take it step by step from there. (3:01) Right. I mean, the work session is kind of step one.
(3:02) And then I mean, no decisions being made. (3:05) It’s just it’s just kind of to see where where things may potentially go. (3:09) Yeah.
So you’re exactly right. (3:11) The the law’s in place now became effective July one. (3:14) And so, again, if you have a valid Wyoming concealed carry permit (3:18) and you’re not a student, then obviously and you choose to, you can carry.
(3:25) And again, the law gives room for school boards (3:29) to put a policy or or rules in place. (3:33) And basically, they’re just around training for employees and volunteers. (3:39) So at this point, the board is not (3:42) choosing to take action on having a rule for employees.
(3:46) So they’ll employees and volunteers will be treated just the same as any stakeholder. (3:52) It’s Superintendent Matt Erickson this morning in studio with LCSD number two. (3:56) Anything else happening in the district as you gear up for for August here? (3:59) Well, we’re at the district level.
(4:02) We’ve got our theme set for next year, and we’re happy to kick that off (4:07) August 18th again. (4:08) And and then we’re we’ll have our on site district (4:13) peer review for accreditation October 28. (4:17) So we’re obviously making plans and finalizing all of those things.
(4:23) So a lot of people involved. (4:25) And and again, it’s a mad dash the last few weeks of summer (4:29) for our custodians and mechanics and maintenance personnel to make sure (4:34) that our facilities are in top notch shape and and buses and ready to go. (4:39) So staffing wise, feeling pretty good across the district.
(4:43) Knock on wood feeling pretty, pretty good. (4:45) Yeah. So we’re extremely blessed.
(4:47) And and be interesting to see where our enrollment is. (4:51) We’re receiving phone calls almost daily from families (4:55) that are moving in or inquiring about, you know, enrolling. (4:58) So so it’ll be good.
(5:01) And then we’re what, a couple of weeks away from golf kicking off (5:07) and then cross country volleyball and football be right after that. (5:14) So I believe Coach Young’s got his football camp next week and (5:19) and starting to get a little different feel to the air, maybe in the mornings (5:23) and not this morning, but no, not not not all mornings. (5:27) But yeah, starting to be some excitement.
(5:30) Here we go. Absolutely. (5:32) As superintendent Matt Erickson this morning, his monthly report (5:34) from Lincoln County School District number two superintendent.
(5:36) Appreciate the time today. Thank you. (5:38) It’s all part of the weekday wake up here on SVI Radio.