CALL MEETING TO ORDER

TCSD #1 Recreation District Board Meeting 

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

MEETING AGENDA

Regular Meeting - June 20, 2023

LOCATION OF MEETING: TCSD #1 SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE - 1235 GREGORY LANE

Suggested Motion: I move to approve the June 20, 2023 regular meeting agenda as presented.

TETON COUNTY RECREATION DISTRICT BUDGET UPDATE

1. Budget update
2. Proposed FY24 Budget

2023/2024 RECREATION DISTRICT GRANT APPLICATIONS

ACTION ITEM

TETON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #1 APPLICATION

Executive Summary: TCSD #1 Board of Trustees has reviewed and approved the following application to TCSD #1 Recreation District at their April 12, 2023 Regular Board Meeting. 

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands.  
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the TCSD #1 grant application, not to exceed $2,916,739.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The Art Association of Jackson Hole is dedicated to encouraging a vital, creative community by providing everyone with exposure to,
education in and enjoyment of a wide variety of art experiences. The Art Association has made visual art a vital part of creative life in Jackson Hole for 60 years. We are celebrating this important anniversary of being the oldest visual arts non-profit in Jackson Hole throughout 2023. Comprised of five studios and a gallery, our facility provides over 10,000 square-feet of space to learn, practice, and exhibit art. Beginner to master level instruction is offered in the mediums of painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, photography, silversmithing, glass, printmaking, blacksmithing, mixed media and more. Inclusivity is a key Art Association value and class fees are always kept at an accessible price point. The Art Association of Jackson Hole also offers scholarship funds for families in need.

The Art Association respectfully requests TCSDRD funds to directly support Youth Art Education and ensure that tuition prices remain accessible to all local families. The Art Association's Youth Art Education program encourages creativity and self-expression through artistic experiences in a safe and supportive environment. In each program our professional instructors give students individual guidance working on projects at an age appropriate level. Current class offerings for K-2 children include instruction in ceramics, mixed media, drawing & painting, designing toys & games, writing & illustrating, a spring break camp focused on being Art Explorers, and twelve weeks of summer camp programs. Elementary students in grades 3-5 can take classes in digital illustration, comic books, sewing, ceramics, sculpture, a character creation spring break camp, and a variety of camps during summer vacation. Middle and high school youth can select from instruction in drawing & painting techniques, ceramics, stop motion animation, printmaking, painting, digital photography, and summer programs. All of these programs occur after school hours, and during spring and summer breaks, offering a valuable resource to local working parents. 

The Art Association works closely with TCSD to publicize class and camp opportunities, including placing materials in buildings and distribution directly to students. The Arts are a form of recreation, as creating art is consistently linked to reduced stress, anxiety and positive self-thought. Making art encourages confidence and a sense of community. Creative expression develops critical motor skills and hand-eye coordination in children. The Art Association’s youth
programs encourage creativity and self-expression through creative experience in a safe, supportive environment. Through our programming, we ensure Teton County youth from diverse backgrounds have access to excellent art education.

Last month, our Development Coordinator, Emma Keinath-Lopez just published a blog on our website, titled "Kids Brains on Art: How Art Benefits Youth Development". Some highlights include: Arts Education builds skills both physically and academically, creates a sense of self , and provides opportunities for expression beyond words. The complete article can be found on our website at https://artassociation.org/blog/kids-brains-on-art-how-art-benefitsyouth-
development/5327/

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Art Association of Jackson Hole, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Dancers’ Workshop (DW) is seeking funds for DW’s Summer Arts Camps to help supplement the cost of teacher salaries, art supplies and materials. DW’s summer day camps vary from DW’s typical dance classes to involve a multi-disciplinary arts curriculum. Each week-long camp explores a theme by studying different artistic modalities and mediums such as creative movement, visual art, and creative writing. DW is scheduled to host 5 week-long camps for this upcoming 2023 summer season.

DW’s summer camps provide students with all materials for the class including but not limited to: paint, markers and colored pencils, materials for sculpture, access to welding, specialty adhesives, and fabrics. Students explore different artistic modalities such as watercolor and acrylic paint, sculpture, mask making, collage, and even book making. Students who are new to dance are introduced to the art form through creative movement and DW’s dance curriculum used in our Outreach Program throughout the public school system.

DW’s summer camps are unique in that they truly encourage students to find their own voice and use art to explore deeper and more complex themes. The camps are designed to attract a wide array of students, with no prior dance experience necessary. Students are encouraged to ask questions, investigate, think
critically, and use art to express themselves and find their individual voice. The versatile curriculum of DW’s summer camps invite a diverse student population, and are developed to provide something for each attendee.

An example of summer camp curriculum: In “A World I Can Imagine”, students create their own imaginary world and are asked to answer questions regarding the environment, government, society and everyday life in their world. Drawing from current events and our own World, each morning begins with a ‘wall of questions’ where students dive deeply into certain topics to help answer questions about their own imaginary world. What kind of people live there? Does your world have money? Do people work? What kind of environment does your world have? Students are then asked to design and create their own world map, make a crown to represent their leadership and choreograph a cultural dance. At the end of each camp, students present and perform their creations for their parents, family and friends.

DW strives to keep summer camp tuition as affordable as possible and to provide child care for working parents in our community. Summer camp hours take place Monday-Friday 9am-3pm and cost $395 for the full week. If requested to do so, DW is willing and ready to provide an additional 2 hours of child care services post camp hours. DW provides scholarships for families who qualify. In addition, DW partners with One22 to reach a wider range of students which
provides more financial aid to families in need of help. For One22 students: One22 provides one third of tuition, DW provides one third of tuition in scholarship support, and the remaining third is paid for by the family. For students paying full tuition, the cost of camp breaks down to $13.16/hr and for students enrolled through One22, the amount paid by the family breaks down to $4.35/hr. Funds from this TCSD Recreation District Grant will help supplement the expenses of each camp so DW can keep the cost of tuition lower and camp accessible to all in our community.

DW summer camps are a summer highlight for camp attendees as well as the staff who teach them. The day is broken into different periods of time, balancing art and dance classes and class discussions, with play and physical outdoor activity activities. DW strives to enrich the lives of each participant by providing a well-rounded and educational experience for each child.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Dancers' Workshop, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Our Summer 2023 Programming aims to create formative experiences for local Jackson kids, especially those who come from marginalized backgrounds and do not otherwise have access to outdoor spaces. Spending time outdoors and away from screens is paramount to the healthy development of children, and something that every child should have access to. Children who participate in Coombs Outdoors are surrounded by positive mentorship and learning opportunities, and a place to enjoy their childhoods and make lasting memories. Funding our Summer 2023 Programming will
help us continue to serve this community in impactful ways. With more resources, will also be able to better respond to community needs and grow our programming in sustainable and culturally relevant ways.

In 2022, Coombs Outdoors served 177 youth, offering three weeks of summer camp each to 126 elementary students and 51 middle schoolers. Coombs parents continue to stress that their families are in significant need of affordable day-time programming that helps get the their children outside, away from screens, and participating in community building activities. Many existing summer programs in Teton County are financially out of reach for families, or they fill up too quickly for parents to take advantage of scholarships. Although we continue to expand our programs, we still experience a wait-list and requests from parents for more days/weeks of services, specifically from parents of elementary children.

Summer 2022 also marked the second summer of Coombs Outdoors’ Empower internship program for high school students. Previously, outside of skiing, Coombs did not offer programs that provided support for high schoolers. Many of our teenage participants work throughout the summer to save money or help
their families with expenses and therefore are unable to participant in Coombs’ summer programs. The Empower program matches Coombs’ participants with internships at local outdoor industry businesses and nonprofits, providing a guaranteed wage of $18/hour which opens doors to jobs that would not otherwise be financially competitive with other summer employment opportunities in Teton Valley such as landscaping, construction, and restaurant work.
 

Coombs also ran several specialty clubs for middle schoolers throughout Summer 2022 including mountain bike club and climbing club. One evening a week 10 to 15 middle and high school participants joined Coombs Climbing Club at the local boulder wall to practice climbing skills and learn safety and techniques. Participants also had the opportunity to join for two weekend excursions to climb with Exum guides in Grand Teton National Park in Summer 2022. Coombs Mountain Bike Club hosted 15 participants one evening per week throughout Summer and Fall 2022. Bike Club participants learned bike maintenance and safety and rode the local trails once per week with volunteers, helping them feel comfortable accessing and welcome on our public lands and learning how to navigate the trail system in Jackson.

This past summer 13 Coombs interns attended workshops during which they received professional development training, resume and cover letter guidance, mock interview opportunities, financial literacy training, and best practices in self-advocacy and workplace communications. These 13 interns all successfully completed 10- week internships at places such as R Park (a program of the Jackson Hole Land Trust), Hole Food Rescue, Stio, Astoria Hot Springs, Wheel
Wranglers, REI, and Coombs Outdoors. Several of them were hired on independently by their employees for fall employment. All partner employees received Diversity, Equity, Inclusion training prior to the start of the internship program, ongoing check-ins with Coombs staff to address concerns or issues, and they all indicated they would like to participate again.

For summer 2023, our goal is to expand access to our Activate summer program, increasing both the amount of K-5th grade children that Coombs can serve as well as the amount of program days that children receive throughout the summer. For elementary aged participants, our Activate camp is designed to introduce  rising first to fifth graders to the joys of being outdoors. Each week will feature structured activities that build over the course of the summer, including paddle boarding, hiking with rangers, whitewater rafting, biking, fishing, and much more. Camp days will incorporate place-based education activities, as well as plenty of time for unstructured play fostering creativity, reflection, and exploration. At this age, we want to spark curiosity, build confidence to try new things, develop social and emotional processing skills, and help participants feel a connection to their local environment and to each other. Through increased time outside Activate participants learn to become comfortable in nature and gain a love for the outdoors, all of which provide mental, emotional and physical health benefits as well as build the foundation to graduate into our Engage program.

Expanding the Activate summer programs requires financial resources to hire additional, qualified summer staff, pay entry and camping fees for additional participants to national parks and forest lands, and cover the cost of transportation and gas for program trips. Funding through the TCSD #1 Recreation Grant will help Coombs Outdoors will support expanded capacity for summer programs.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Coombs Outdoors, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: GAP! provides after school programming for girls in Teton County to build confidence, create meaningful connection, tap into personal
empowerment, and gain leadership skills. We are requesting fund to cover the costs of activities, supplies and snacks throughout the academic school year. We work with qualified staff, strong female mentors in our community and local non profit partners to the guide the girls in social emotional learning, self discovery, theme based recreational activities and leaning into community mindedness. Some of the topics we cover are positive assertive communication, healthy
relationships with CSN, setting boundaries, identifying core values, overcoming obstacles to success, practicing honesty and authenticity, growth mindset, navigating conflict respectfully, social cultural perceptions of beauty, body positivity, the impacts of social media on self esteem, self care and acceptance, self defense, active team building, STEM curriculum with WY Stargazing, standing in personal truth with courage and using your authentic voice. When girls enter middle school, their confidence often drops by almost 30%, which negatively impacts their personal identity development and academic success. The huge use of social media and technology leads to declining self esteem, fear of being judged, succumbing to peer pressure, increased sense of inadequacy and feeling left out. Studies show that depression, anxiety, eating disorders and suicide ideation have increased by 59% in our country's adolescents since the advent of the Smart Phone. Only 1 in 5 girls report that they are brave, and 1 in 4 girls will be sexually harassed by age 18, usually between the ages of 11-17. GAP! aims to
overcome these alarming statistics by helping elementary and middle school girls become brave over perfect, own their personal power, activate their authentic voice, gain confidence/self esteem and make supportive choices for themselves with the grace that leads to long term success. Reports show that confident girls become strong women who are more likely to leave domestic violence situations, have and hold good jobs and obtain healthcare for themselves and their families. Another fact to consider is the continued disparity between males and females with wage disparity and professional job opportunities....Less than 14% of leadership positions in business are held by women even though girls generally out perform boys in academics through college. We know that girls interest in pursuing a career in STEAM is positively influenced if she is part of a leadership group like GAP! We offer fun, active, relevant and engaging theme based curriculum that invites internal reflection, builds self awareness, identifies and utilizes tangible skills to navigate life in today's challenging world, engages in community collaborations, providing the skills and experiences to read competent and confident women. We survey girls after our GAP! session to assess their
learning of new concepts and to ascertain whether the content is relevant and helpful. We ask girls to rate their level of confidence, comfort level advocating for self and setting boundaries, if they feel seen/heard by peers and adults, and their personal self awareness. We know that embracing self discovery and setting positive goals is a leading factor of girls achieving competency and success....this evaluation method measures the outcome we are seeking. Another
measure of program relevance and success is attendance, which is strictly voluntary and very inexpensive with full financial scholarships available. Each GAP! session costs less than $2 for almost 2 hours of confidence building programming. Our goal is to have girls return each year to continue building their skills and connections. We have about a 80 percent return rate, our demographic is 70% Anglo, 30% Latina and approximately 25% of our participants ask for full financial
scholarships. Our sessions introduce challenging topics and encourage girls to dive deeply into self explorations, create meaningful connections with peers, courageously try new activities, and adopt empowered ways of showing up for themselves and our world.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from GAP!, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: JHWW serves the youth and families of our community with an affordable after-school and weekend recreational activity on the square and at the Village. With low cost for rentals and no cost with personal skates, JHWW provides a wholesome outdoor physical activity for our children. Our free learn to skate lessons, provide instruction to underserved families of Teton county, aiding them in the ability to enjoy the skating opportunities provided by Parks and Rec.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Grand Teton Skating Association, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Please note, the original FY24 grant request was for $2,006.44. At the April 18, 2023 TCSD #1 Recreation District board meeting, the board approved the request submitted by Horse Warriors to reduce the FY24 grant request by $228.57, which was the unspent funds from their FY23 grant request. 

A feeling of being part of a community is especially important for young people. A unifying, identifiable logo and uniform goes a long way to bringing kids together. It inspires teamwork, cooperation and camaraderie. Logo t-shirts and hats help say. "We are part of a family," and give participants, especially those who may feel overlooked elsewhere in their lives, a sense of belonging and acceptance. Logo branding helps identify staff of the organization as
well, and instructors - who are paid a small monthly stipend and given shared housing for their compensation - are given a logo jacket to help students know who to go to for questions. Students wear their uniforms during each session as well as at the end-of-year gymkhana competition, like in any other sport. Our mission is to help build confidence in our participants, and this project is part of their visibility and sense of belonging.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Horse Warriors, not to exceed $1,777.87, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The Jackson Hole Children’s Museum’s afterschool, preschool, and STEAM programs reach the children of local working families from
toddlers to 5th grade. While the themes of our programs vary, one consistent thread is exploring Science, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) through play. We would like to purchase a digital microscope for our upper elementary age students and durable magnifying stands, lenses, and boxes for our younger
students and to take outside. With developmentally-appropriate magnifying supplies, our students could observe the natural world in ways that bring them joy. Our students would notice patterns and explore tiny worlds with their eyes and imaginations, using the experiences to inspire artwork and games. Our first grade TCSD students would use the magnifying boxes and stool for inspiration in biomimicry lessons, our second graders might design structures inspired by natural patterns observed though the digital scope in our engineering and design lab, and our third grade students could visually observe tiny vibrations using the digital scope in the sound lab.

A digital microscope has several advantages over traditional microscopes for elementary school students. Although young, most of our students are fluent in adjusting and interpreting screens, having grown up in an age of smartphones and tablets. Viewing magnified images on screens allows for collaborative work, which is a cornerstone of JHCM’s learning philosophy. Traditional microscope viewing is a solitary experience, and takes skill, patience, and dexterity to adjust. Digital scopes allow students and teachers to work together to focus the instrument, interpret the image, and share findings. Finally, many modern digital scopes are smaller than a traditional microscope and are compatible with the smart boards often found in TCSD classrooms. This would allow us to use them for our outreach programs, such as STEAM labs, CREST, and the JHCM/TLC Afterschool sessions at JES.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Jackson Hole Children's Museum, not to exceed $870.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum (JHHSM) tells the stories of Jackson Hole that connect people to the history of this
valley and region. We steward and share artifacts and ideas that foster curiosity and continual learning, forge connections, and inform our 21st century dialogue. Over the last 30 years, JHHSM has grown and developed to include more educational activities, sophisticated exhibits, and improved outreach opportunities and partnerships. For the last decade, bolstering our youth education has been and continues to be a priority. In 2018, responding to a high community need for accessible, affordable childcare during the summer, JHHSM launched summer camp at the Museum. Through this comprehensive youth summer programming we encourage students to uncover history in their everyday lives. Using a variety of hands-on activities, recreational games, and active field trips, campers learn
about and experience history. Our summer camp programs connect local history across disciplines through investigation, research, creation and connection. JHHSM recently hired a full-time Director of Education, and we now have the capacity to expand from offering only one week of summary camp to offering four weeks of summer camp to meet demand and community need. Two weeks will focus on river and recreation history, and two weeks will focus on non-fiction
and history writing. With funding from TCSD #1 Recreation District funding, we will be able to secure transportation for each week of camp to allow greater access to local recreation sites, such as Town and County parks, the snake river, R-park, Teton Pass, and Teton Raptor Center. During both River & Recreation History weeks. While we will utilize free public transportation whenever possible, a van is necessary to access locations like the Teton Raptor Center and other
County sites that are not serviced by public transportation. JHHSM has coordinated with the Teton Raptor Center for hands-on, on-site programming connected to the birds of the Snake River. Bringing our campers to the Teton Raptor Center is needed to increase the capacity of programming TRC can offer us as well as keep the cost of that programming affordable. On the Friday of both River History weeks, we will be working with a local rafting company and taking campers on a one-day float trip down the Snake River. JHHSM transportation is required for this exciting field trip. Additionally, we often have parents ask in advance of signing up for our programming about how active our camp and we'd like to be able to give peace of mind to parents that we can accommodate all children
whether they be younger with lower stamina or any age with a disability that precludes rigorous exercise. By securing transportation for several days during each summer camp week, JHHSM will be able to not only enhance its programming but ensure every activity is accessible and inclusive for all campers.
 

Along with transportation, this funding request includes partial support for our Rising Educator Intern. Working with the TCSD, the Rising Educators program pairs a local Latino high school student with JHHSM to assist with our summer camps. This internship provides a paid professional experience and is a mentorship opportunity. As a summer camp intern, the rising educator will learn teaching skills, classroom management skills, and will form relationships with younger students. Our camp offers a unique opportunity with 4 weeks of summer camp over an 8-week period which allows for an intern to get deeply involved with camp planning. The intern will be able to deepen their craft of lesson planning and take on more responsibility. The intern will have many leadership
opportunities, including leading either a full day of camp on a weekly basis or perhaps take ownership of our aftercare which operates daily for the last hour of camp. The Rising Educator group has set  the salary to be at least $18 an hour so that the program can be competitive with other local jobs - often in the service industry - so that students can pursue a career and mentorship without sacrificing the ability to make money over the summer potentially for their own college fund or their current family needs.

This funding will supplement JHHSM summer camp expenses and ensure that we are able to provide a high-quality dynamic camp that supports and engages with TCSD #1 elementary through high school students.

This project should be considered for funding because it will give unique, active, and enriching opportunities for local students who might otherwise spend their summer staying inside with limited chances for social and recreational engagement. This program bridges the gap between the school year and allows families to
pursue students’ interest in the humanities, museums, and recreation further. Having campers do scavenger hunts in the Museum, playing games on the back patio, participating in water sports, and taking hikes to historic places, they will learn healthy physical and mental life-long practices.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Costs continue to rise in Jackson, from real estate to groceries, and families are especially affected. JH Public Art offers engaging summer and fall programming free of charge and in accessible public spaces, giving families the opportunity to participate with local artists. Making art with community also forms connections, building a bridge across cultures and ages. Community bonds that are shaped through creativity, imagination, and play are healthy interactions that can combat isolation and heal division.

The 2023 Community Artist (CoArtist) program follows a model that was successful last summer. We will hire local and regional artists from diverse backgrounds to create temporary works with youth, families, and local residents in school settings, parks, and community gatherings like Peoples and Farmers markets and
Greenspace on the Block.

We use our Mobile Studio as an ArtMobile to pop-up creativity and events across the county, bringing art and engagement to a wide scope of individuals.
Arts based programming emphasizes imaginative thinking, and it enhances school-based curriculum. We design our programs to be mobile – with the ArtMobile and also through tent pop-ups. This means our programs reach a diverse audience of youth by landing in local parks, neighborhoods, the library, public events, creating access to creativity and collaboration.

Additional programming for youth includes youth murals that are created for various bicycle underpasses. Youth have the opportunity to work directly with a local artist to brainstorm messaging and then create the murals together as a group, learning the give and take of group behavior. We use the ArtMobile to bring mural panels to classrooms, increasing flexibility and ease for teachers to offer a unique experience for students.

For the ArtMobile and CoArtist programming, we work in partnership with a variety of entities including Teton County Library, Art Association, and pARTners. We also collaborate with local scientists from Teton Conservation District and nonprofit organizations to include science education in art creation and link art-making to our environment. This July, we will have an inflatable compound (pinhole) camera (human-sized) that will land at the Greenspace, Center for the
Arts, camps, and the library. Programming for the camera will be directed by a biology and photography teacher.

Our community mobilizer will translate programming messaging to Spanish-speaking families and the CoArtist will facilitate art creation and we use Spanish speaking teachers as CoArtists as well.

JH Public Art youth programming provides children and families with free, healthy, creative, outdoor engagement in the summertime, providing for youth who are unable to attend summer programs due to cost, as well as creative afterschool art making activities during the school year. Social interactions among children and families are encouraged in this safe, making and learning environment and our Community Mobilizer encourages diverse participation. With help
from the Recreation District, we can create the perfect mix of partnerships, arts and culture, food, and fresh locations to enhance and grow this beloved community program.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Jackson Hole Public Art, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding (JHTR) respectfully requests $5,000 from TCSD #1 Recreation District toward our School-Based Adaptive
Riding Program. If awarded, grant funding will support nine weeks of Adaptive Riding lessons for more than 30 TCSD #1 students ages 5 to 21 with disabilities who are on an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Students will participate once weekly for a four-week session in fall 2023 and again for a five-week session in spring 2024.

Within Teton County, Wyoming, 4.1% of individuals under the age of 65-years live with a disability (United States Census Burau). Of these, many are school-aged children whose families fall within the low- to moderate socioeconomic category. Consequently, some 65% of our school-aged children rely on financial assistance in order to participate.

At JHTR, we believe everyone deserves to reach their full potential, regardless of their economic status. Through our longstanding partnership with Teton County School District #1, families of students with disabilities are not faced with deciding between cost and participation.

Instead, our program is costless to all students on IEP enrolled through the school district. This ensures that every child, regardless of their family’s financial capabilities, is afforded the opportunity to engage in physical activities similar to those of their able-bodied peers. With funding assistance through the TCSD #1 Recreation District grant, financial restraints present no barrier to participation.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: We are asking for funds in order to help pay for new uniforms and equipment needs. These needs occur year after year based on the
usage and wear and tear of equipment. Funding for uniforms and equipment allows JHYB to keep our programs affordable for families in our community as well as provide financial assistance for those who need it.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Jackson Hole Youth Basketball, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Jackson Hole Youth Soccer (JHYS) impacts a large segment of our local community. Last year JHYS had approximately 850 players with
1,100 total registrations for our programs. We operate youth soccer programs year-round, including indoor soccer in the winter and camps during the summer. In total, JHYS provides healthy after school options for an estimated 30% of all kids in local schools. Our programs provide a positive impact on the education and development of children in the Jackson Hole community. We teach the ethics of hard work, the benefits of teamwork, self and team discipline along with the satisfaction of putting in the effort to achieve goals. Equipment is a vital part of our ability to engage young people in high-quality soccer experiences and equipment turnover is a large annual expense for the club. Soccer balls have on average a one year shelf life before they must be replaced due to heavy use
throughout the season. We also need to invest annually in cones, training jerseys, equipment bags, mini goals, corner flags, agility training equipment, and player safety. This funding will not only allow us to provide our coaches and players with the necessary equipment to succeed, but it will also provide us the opportunity to subsidize the cost of jerseys and ease the financial burden on our Academy (recreational) families. For the upcoming spring soccer season, our
season rates are unchanged for all of recreational and competitive programming. We recognize that a lot of families in the valley have been effected financially recently and JHYS does not want soccer to contribute to that burden. More so than ever, we are looking to outside resources to help us absorb this financial impact on our club. 

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Jackson Hole Youth Soccer, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Off Square Theatre (OST) seeks funding for its youth musical, a oneof-a-kind opportunity for youth in grades 3-12 to participate in a full-scale theatrical production during the academic year. While the high school produces an annual musical, OST is the only provider of an after-school program in theatre of this magnitude for this range of ages. It gives students a supportive hands-on environment to hone important skills like collaboration, organization, inclusion, and confidence. This program is especially valuable to the community because it allows children of all ages to work together, make new friends, and learn mentorship skills by helping each other succeed.

The 2024 Youth Musical will be OST’s 14th consecutive year of youth musicals. Over the years, OST has honed the process to combine the educational component with the production opportunity. The process begins with auditions and casting in October, followed by vocal coaching in November and December for key roles, with full rehearsals for the cast launching in January. Young artists are led by a professional team and are challenged to excel as they learn new
skills and develop their imagination, all while having fun in a supportive environment.

Historically, the primary activity for participants in the Youth Musical was as a performer.

However, 2022 saw the launch of an exciting new program of Youth Interns who worked backstage throughout the rehearsal process and performances. This program evolved in 2023 and in 2024 takes the form of the Youth Musical Crew, made up of students in grades 6-12. We also will continue the role of Student Director in 2024, allowing one older student the opportunity to take on a production leadership role with mentorship.

The goal of OST’s theatre education programs is to create the next generation of creative, empathetic leaders. We know that theatre provides unique developmental opportunities to help our students reach this goal. 100% of surveyed participants of our 2023 musical reported employing one or more of our seven empathy/leadership skills (emotional identification, collaboration, confidence, conflict negotiation, inclusion, motivation, organization, and problem-solving) during the course of the production. In addition to our survey results, parents and teachers anecdotally note an increase in classroom participation and increased motivation when it comes to homework.

In summary, the annual youth musical provides a vehicle for youth development within the community’s cultural ecosystem and is a programmatic addition to the academic and extracurricular offerings of TCSD#1.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Off Square Theatre Company, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The Skating Club of Jackson Hole operates a critically needed afterschool program for youth ages 3 and up. After-school programs, such as Learn to Skate, offer a safe and inclusive environment for young children after school hours. More importantly, however, this recreational program provides the space and instruction to develop physical fitness, youth leadership skills, accountability, and self expression through ice skating.

The program is divided into two semesters. The first semester runs from September until Christmas break. The second semester begins in January and runs until Spring Break. This year, the 2022 – 2023 season, our program has served approximately 215 Teton County School District students and 7 adults.

Our first semester culminates with The Holiday On Ice performance showcasing all of the hard work and dedication from the skaters in our program during the first semester, and is one of the most widely attended holiday performances in Teton County. The 2022 performances showcased world renowned and decorated pairs skaters, Alexa Knierim and Brandon Fraser, who are the reigning Grand Prix champion pairs skaters and Olympic Silver medalists along with US Junior Nationals competitive skater Hannah Herrera who had the audience on their feet. Children who attend or skate in the performance with their older role models and guest skaters of a professional level, are inspired by the possibilities. The Holiday on Ice serves to help build confidence and self-esteem in those who participate.

As our current programming stands for the second semester, we hold an exhibition show for skaters to participate in. Many of our skaters, as well as their families have expressed an interest in participating in a Spring Exhibition of similar caliber to the Holiday Show. In general, Spring Semester registration runs approximately 25% higher than the fall semester. The Spring Exhibition shines a spotlight on local talent, featuring duets and solo performances by skaters of ALL AGES & LEVELS. This Exhibition will showcase what hat skaters have been working on and will serve as a culmination of the participants hard work and dedication during the second semester of the program! The exhibition will display the skills of several SCJH members and students from our Learn to Skate USA
Program-Advanced in a fun relaxed "all about" the skater production. Family, friends, and community members will be able to come enjoy an entertaining performance with admission being free to all.

The public performances are a very important component of the overall success of our program by introducing students in the audience to figure skating and causing them to be excited for the opportunity to participate. Students who participate in these shows are much more likely to return to the program for years to follow.

The weakest numbers in our program are our highest level of skaters. We rely heavily on our upper-level skaters to provide a strong support system for our younger skaters. Most of our upper-level skaters have assumed roles as coaches, mentors, and role models. In addition to continuing to perfect their own skills and advance through the ranks as a figure skater, the older skaters compete in figure skating competitions around the region, and they fill a need for coaches within the program. Participating in shows allows the upper-level skaters to not only showcase their skills as a figure skater, but also allows them to showcase their leadership qualities and their coaching skills.

As we have seen through the success of our Holiday Show, producing a Spring Extravaganza of similar magnitude could have a very positive impact on our skaters and the overall health and strength of our program.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Skating Club of Jackson Hole, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The Kids Cooking and Gardening Class Series provides a unique recreational opportunity that would otherwise not be available in our
community. Participants, ages 3rd-8th grade, attend summer and harvest season cooking classes for hands-on experiences in growing, sourcing, preparing, and enjoying local Teton food and flavors. Through these classes, young chefs are trained in high alpine farming and gardening techniques, introduced to Teton area
food producers, and receive hands-on instruction in preparing and cooking meals that feature seasonal, locally grown ingredients.

Activities are focused on understanding local food systems, farm-to-table cooking, and healthy and nutritious eating. Students learn skills such as basic gardening, plant identification, harvesting vegetables, compost and soil maintenance, recipe creation, knife skills, use of outdoor stoves, and general kitchen safety and cleanliness.

Classes are designed to empower and encourage students to take the information and skills they learn in class home with them to their own kitchens and extend the benefits of seasonal, nutritious food sourcing and cooking with their friends and family members.

Program update from previous years: This year's Cooking and Gardening Class Series is a revised version of the Slow Food Cooking and Farming Camp program that has received funding from the TCSD#1 Rec District Grant in the past. Due to venue changes and staff shortages, Slow Food has modified the camp program for 2023 to operate instead as a cooking class series that shares a venue with existing programming (People's Market and community and Farmstead gardens) and draws on the expertise of farmers, chefs, and instructors who are accessible through our existing programming (People's Market, Farm Stand, and Farm to Fork Festival). We look forward to once again operating summer camp programs in the future but are excited about this year's cooking class series and the experiences that will arise for our participants in these shared venues and programs. 

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Slow Food in the Tetons, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: 2022 had a record number of callouts for our SAR team -- 123 total -- equating to 5,246 hours of volunteer time spent on rescues in the
Teton backcountry. Our previous record for the whole calendar year was 105 callouts in 2021. Not only did 2022 have a unique call volume, but it proved the increase in SAR need is becoming a trend, as is the increase in injury severity and distance from medical support. The helicopter, for example, was used 44 times in 2022 to extract patients in hard-to-reach places and/or with life-threatening injuries, nearly double our previous annual high for helicopter use.
This trend speaks to a lot of things: more folks in our community are getting out into the backcountry, more folks are comfortable accepting risk while recreating, and inherent uncontrollables --  weather, human nature, unprepared partners -- will always exist. That is why we committed 508 hours to community events and education last year.

We believe that some of the most important and effective preventative search and rescue initiatives we can fund involve Jackson youth. Whether we are teaching 7- or 17-year-olds basic first aid, avalanche-related snow science, backcountry packing essentials, or leadership and communication skills, we understand the impact of our time with this community’s young people. Thanks to our involvement in TCSD CREST days, JH Ski and Snowboard Club practices, TCSAR Venture Crew trainings, and COOMBS Outdoors workshops, in addition to the youth 'What's In Your Pack?' classes we host at the hangar (now totaling four a year) and free admission for folks under 18 at WYSAW, our reach of young people in this community is extensive. The more we can prioritize catching recreators while their risk management systems are still forming, the more we can execute our mission of reducing injuries and fatalities in the backcountry. This is why we are requesting funding support to mitigate costs for the teaching materials we use and participant goody bags we provide at our workshops. With financial help from
this grant, we will be able to pay educators and SAR volunteers fairly for their time teaching and buy each student who attends our workshops backcountry med kit materials to take home. With any additional funds, we can also purchase snow science kits for longterm avalanche education use, informative stress injury handouts, winter backcountry checklists, fire starters, and perhaps even kids’ headlamps. The more we are able to get resources into kids’ hands while we are engaging with them, the more likely they will be to actually put them to use with confidence.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input

To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 

3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Teton Music School seeks funding to support the purchase instruments and equipment for our after-school music programs. Support for this equipment purchase will help strengthen the foundation of TMS so that we can more effectively and efficiently develop and deliver accessible music education opportunities for our community.

We have identified specific equipment needs to support the following programs (starting Fall 2023):

Music Production (Grades 6-12) – Students are introduced to the world of songwriting, recording and DJing. They learn how to write lyrics, rhyme schemes, and song structure basics, exploring the differences and similarities between genres in popular music. Students collaborate with others, learn basic piano skills, and get to know different microphones and technical equipment. They also learn recording software - how to record, use audio interfaces, mic techniques, signal flow, audio editing, sampling, beat making/mixing. 

Rock Bands Program (Grades 6-12) - Students with prior experience on band instruments like drums, percussion, bass guitar, rhythm/lead guitar, keyboards and vocals can experience participating and performing in a band. Students learn rehearsal etiquette/preparation/ practices, music theory, memorization, and how to participate as a contributing member of an ensemble. Bands select and learn new music together and have opportunities to perform in the community. Rock Band Prep (Grades 3-5) - Young rockers build basic skills needed to play in a band. Students learn fundamentals of keyboard, strings (ukulele) and drumming (buckets and body percussion), honing individual skills while learning to work as a team. Rock Band Prep is designed as a launchpad for students to participate in our popular music ensembles, giving aspiring musicians a taste of being in a band.

Youth Choir (Grades 2-5) - Young voices build healthy singing habits while experiencing the joy of singing in a group. Participants explore vocal fundamentals (pitch, rhythm, breathing, diction) in a fun, supportive environment. The choir masters a selection of songs every session and has opportunities to perform in the community.

Private Instruction (Grades K-12) - Students attend weekly private lessons in piano, guitar, drums, voice, ukulele, woodwinds, music production and more.

***

As enrollment, programs and performance opportunities continue to grow, TMS continues to invest in our own equipment for student use. Except for pianos, any equipment brought into our space at The Center must be easy to disassemble, transport and store as our space is multi-purpose and used nightly by community ensembles like the Jackson Hole Community Band. As with any equipment intended for students, everything we acquire must be durable and able to withstand frequent, heavy use.

Needed Equipment

1) Instructor keyboards and stands - each of TMS’ five practice rooms houses an upright piano. We will replace an ailing piano in one of these rooms with two electronic keyboards with 88 weighted keys (emulating an actual piano), allowing the room to be set up as a digital music studio to support our music production students and to allow a teacher to work with two students at once. Keyboards take up less room than a piano and are easily moved/stored - this 
increases the possible uses of this studio when we are able to move this specific equipment out of the way.

2) Student Keyboards/cases/bucket drums/drumsticks – our popular Rock Band Prep program teaches kids the fundamentals of being in a band, and basic musical concepts are taught using the piano keyboard. Currently, students are sitting three to a piano. Having small, easy-to-store individual student keyboards will allow us to enroll more students in this program. Rock Band Prep students also learn drumming concepts using bucket drums (5-gallon plastic paint buckets). 10 set-ups of each of these instruments, keyboards and bucket drums, will allow us to accommodate 20 students at a time in the class.

3) Auxiliary Percussion – our growing Rock Bands program for teens (enrollment doubled from last year) is in need of additional percussion instruments for the students to add rhythms and accents to the music they prepare in their bands: VibraSlap, guiro, tambourine (we already have a cowbell!)

4) DJ Consoles/Software – our music production program is evolving to include DJ skills, including making and mixing beats. Four DJ console stations with the appropriate software will allow us to host a group class of up to 8 students at a time.

5) Furniture – the multipurpose nature of our space means that we need our classroom setups to be easily set up, torn down, stored. Our youth choir in particular is need of a quick and easy classroom setup to accommodate as many as 24 students seated for rehearsal. We will purchase folding chairs (with storage rack).

About TMS

Founded and staffed by a group of local professional musicians and fans, TMS is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enrich lives by providing accessible music education and exceptional music performance experiences for the benefit of the Jackson Hole community. TMS opened its doors in September 2019, aiming to fill the music education gap in our community. Teton County craves music education at this level: TMS taught 5,730 lessons last year. We are now wrapping up our fourth year of operation in The Center for the Arts, and we have nearly 250 students and a waiting list for the after-school lesson times. Last year, to fill the demand for quality after school educational programs for youth and teens, we prioritized building group music classes, which are more affordable than private lessons and promote social learning and community building alongside cultivating musical skills.

TMS is building our capacity and operational ability to better serve our mission. We have a passionate staff of 14 talented music teachers who deliver exceptional musical experiences daily. We adopted a financially conservative business model; all core programming, including lessons and summer camps, is self-funding. We are currently refreshing our strategic plan to focus and prioritize our work for the next five years.

TMS is led by a full time Executive Director, we hold a 3-year lease with The Center, and we have begun fundraising in a more deliberate manner.
 

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Teton Music School, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

TETON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION

AFTERSCHOOL COMMUNITY KIDS CLUB PROGRAM

Executive Summary: The request for funds helps us to continue to support the K-5th after school program and to keep it affordable. Parks and Recreation has
one of the most affordable after school programs offered in the valley for many years. With these funds for our Kids Club program, we can provide quality, accessibility, and affordability to the many families in our community. We have expanded our capacities and program quality. We introduce the students to our partners which have included the Teton County Pet Partners, The National Museum of Wildlife Art, and Wyoming Stargazing to name a few. We have also
been able to provide programs that are geared towards mental health and mindfulness. Partners come on site to the schools to reduce travel time after school. With the support of the Rec District grant we are able to enhance our programs, train our staff appropriately, purchase the most necessary equipment and provide the utmost care and service to the community.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input

To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 

3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the Teton County Parks and Recreation Afterschool Community Kids Club Program grant application, not to exceed $40,000.00, as presented.

CONSENT AGENDA

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF APRIL 18, 2023

The minutes are considered draft until approved by the Board of Trustees.

Our adopted rules of Parliamentary Procedure, Robert's Rules, provide for a consent agenda listing several items for approval of the Board of Trustees by a single motion. Most of the items listed under the consent agenda have gone through Board subcommittee review and recommendation. Documentation concerning these items has been provided to all Board Trustees and the public in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any board member.

Suggested Action: I move to approve the minutes of April 18, 2023 regular meeting as presented.

CONSENT AGENDA

SUBMITTABLE

Executive Summary: Submittable is the software system used to manage the TCSD #1 Recreation District grant applications. The TCSD #1 Recreation District reimburses the Fund for Public Education to utilize their platform.

Suggested Action: I move to approve the purchase of Submittable for the FY25 grant application cycle, not to exceed $800.00, as presented.

CONSENT AGENDA

SUBMITTABLE

Executive Summary: Students learn the alphabet through visual art and dance. 

Suggested Action: I move to approve the pARTner Final Report as presented.

PUBLIC COMMENT

The Board of Trustees will receive oral communication at this time. A 3-minute time limit will be given to all members of the public that wish to speak. If the item is scheduled within the agenda, no further discussion will occur at this time.

Give your full name before you begin. While we want to hear everything you have to say, it is important to remember that we also want to hear from everyone. Please try to limit your comments to 3 minutes. Address the Board when speaking, not the audience.

Policy BEDH-R:  Participation at Board Meetings, Regulation

COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD

WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOARD

The Board of Trustees may use this time to communicate items from the Trustees to the public. Board of Trustees may respond to recognitions, written communications, e-mail and/or community input.

ADVANCED PLANNING

MOTION TO ADJOURN