SCSD#3 Holds Listening Session

The SCSD#3 Board held a listening session on the topic of re-calibration of school funding on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Around 20 people attended and several spoke about their concerns.

Superintendent Chase Christensen opened the meeting and explained about re-calibration. He said it is a process that takes place every five years by state statute. The state of Wyoming put together a school finance model in 2005 which is still in place.

He added that he and the board members have attended professional judgment panels and have been providing input throughout. They also hosted a discussion with the legislators so the community could share their concerns on the school finance issue.

Currently in the model is a small school adjustment, which the new model would not have. Without that the funding would go up to 3.4 million, Christensen said. It is an increase, but

He said they moved the recommend class size higher, so each teacher would have more students per class. “That part doesn’t affect us,” He added. “Our classrooms are small.”

In the model is an increase for teacher salaries, but they are limiting the number of teachers.

He added that as it is currently written, the bill separates instruction funding from the other funds, so instructional resources are only used for teacher funding. These funds cannot be used for classroom supplies.

Several community members spoke to the board on various topics, Kelly Betz, Kendel Hepp and Cheryl Roebling were concerned about the lack of books in the school library, and Roebling was still unsure of the school’s House System, and was concerned about students leaving the school.

“You have changed things but you didn’t fix anything,” she said.

She wondered why the legislature didn’t have funding for school lunches, and Christensen said that had never been in the model, and the program was suppose to be self-supporting.

Roebling added,

Christensen said that some elementary grades are combined. But they have enough teachers to offer individual instruction for the students when needed.

Chris Schock, Clearmont Mayor, wondered if the re-calibration would affect students who come to Clearmont from out-of-district, and Christensen felt it wouldn’t affect the school at this point.

Ashley Bassett wondered what the bare minimum of teachers would be, and Christensen said that with fewer teachers students would not receive as good an education.

Bassett wondered what the next step would be if the funding were cut, and Board Member Kelly Little said that the only conversations about extreme school funding cuts and consolidation of the schools was only occurring in this room.

Bassett also spoke passionately to the board about losing students, and felt that the state should know about it and that the school should try to fix the problem.

Board Chairman Karis Prusak responded,

Community members Jim Fenneman and Pete Bassett were concerned about losing students, and Bassett felt the board should be more pro-active than reactive.

The school provided a list of the representatives and senators and their contact numbers. Community members are encouraged to contact the legislators about school funding.