EVANSTON — The Uinta County School District No. 1 board met on Tuesday, April 9,  where trustees recognized Evanston High School senior Gabe Hutchinson for his 3A Indoor Track State Championship in the 55 Meter Dash. He was not only honored for this state title, but for being a team player as well.

EHS indoor track coach Paul Rickbeil said of Hutchinson, “I have watched him grow as a team leader. He has developed a character that includes a hard work ethic. He conducts himself with humility in everything that he does, and I would say that right now he is probably embarrassed to listen to me brag about him.”

Rickbeil also commended Hutchinson for his gratitude towards others, giving time toward working with younger athletes, and being a role model.

“At the end of a race, he shakes hands with every kid that was in his heat. It’s like he’s grateful to have the opportunity to run a race,” Rickbeil said.

Hutchinson holds EHS outdoor track records in the 100, 200, 400, and 4x400 meter relay and was on the 2023 state champion 4x400 meter relay team in indoor track. He broke school records in indoor track this year in the 55-, 60-, 200- and 400-meter runs, as well as the 4x400 meter relay.

Assistant Superintendents Dr. Joseph Ingalls and Doug Rigby presented on curriculum to the board. Ingalls said he was grateful to the instruction leaders and staff in the district. Ingalls introduced the newly-hired curriculum and instruction administrative assistant, Amy May.

“She came to the position with a lot of skills,” he said.

Ingalls commended the schools for being certified as highly reliable schools. Ingalls said other schools are looking to Uinta County for advice on how to get those levels of credentials in curriculum and instruction.

“Our schools have done an incredible job of getting to that place,” he said.

Rigby presented to the board the focused teacher evaluation model, stating they have changed it to allow teachers to focus more on specific items.

“I think it is a better model for us and our teachers,” he said.

Professional development is built into the schedule, he said, which helps them develop curriculum.

Ingalls spoke about the excellent support the district has for new teachers which continues through the first few years of the teacher’s contract. He said this support boosts teacher retention rate in the district. Included in the curriculum presentation was the summer school program, of which Ingalls said, “We are proud of the work we have done and continue to do in summer academy.”

Mentioned in the curriculum presentation were school assessments, which measure student proficiency on the essential standards taught. These tests are given twice annually and allow teachers to help students in areas where they struggle.

Gratitude was expressed for superintendent assistant and board executive assistant Cheri Dunford for her role in supporting both curriculum and instruction as well as High Reliability Schools’ improvement journey.

Superintendent Ryan Thomas recognized Sen. Wendy Schuler, who attended the meeting.

“It is awesome to have such a representative for our state and for public education. She treats our community well,” he said.

Schuler said this year’s budget session was rough and did not do right by education. House Bill 166 passed, though Schuler said she hoped the governor would veto it. She said the bill props up private schools and takes money away from public education.

“I will never vote for anything that takes money away from public education,” she said.

Although Schuler said she was disappointed with the legislative session, she encouraged board members to get involved with elections this year.

“We have to make sure we get out there and get education-friendly people,” she said, adding that she is very proud of the district for what they are doing for education.

Thomas gave a quick review of the district’s budget and said there was new money that could be used. He said student population is down, which lowers the budget. Other items on the agenda included working with the city to replace a water line that crosses through EHS property.

Director of Transportation Travis Fackrell spoke to the board about bids for staff travel vehicles. The board approved the purchase of a Jeep Grand Cherokee from Evanston’s Yeti dealership.