Since arriving at NCSD1, there has been much ado surrounding interpretations of Board Policy KBAA and the supporting administrative regulation KBAA-R. There have been several individual conversations with trustees regarding the actual intent, compliance, and understanding of the forementioned policy and AR, however, that is it. Not one constituent (student, parent, or patron) has ever asked for clarification or wanted further insight into this policy. A formal complaint or inquiry has never been filed in writing with the district, only side-talk, concern (brought to current trustees who wanted more understanding when explaining the adoption of the policy), and misinformed posting on some social media platforms.
My reminder is that written public concerns received by my office are the only way to address public concerns for the district. Facebook and other social media applications’ fodder are not acceptable forms of public discourse within a civil society especially when it concerns school policy that will affect students. While it may be appropriate for some topics i.e. celebrating student accomplishments, birthdays, anniversaries; engaging in banter which only denigrates a school district, our employees, and OUR STUDENTS is completely missing the mark. Can we not get out from behind our screens and actually have discussions which certainly affect the main business of the district? Let us strive in achieving civil discourse and facing our issues, not Facebooking our issues.
The conversations with trustees have always led to further understanding of the issue and why the policy was adopted as it is. Usually, the result is a shaking of the head as to how such off-the-wall concerns could have reached the ears of the current trustee. Yet, all conversations have been thoughtful and bereft of finger pointing, with all trustees taking more information with them to explain the policy to the concerned patron.
The following will be a brief outline of the history of legislative passing of law calling for a policy to be adopted by every school district in the state of Wyoming, the steps the NCSD1 school board took to adopt a policy reflecting the very nature of the law, and when this policy was adopted.
· WS 21-3-135. Parental and guardian notices related to the educational, physical, mental and emotional health of students; student welfare; procedures; school district prohibitions.
o Introduced in the Senate on 12 February 2024; Passed 3rd Reading in Senate on 19 February 2024: 28-2-1-0-0
o Introduce3d in House on 23 February 2024; Passed the House on 3rd Reading: 55-7-0-0-0
o Governor signed on 05 March 2024
· Within the bill, Section 3. “Not later than July 1, 2024, each school district board of trustees shall establish rules, policies and procedures in accordance with this act.
o Model language for KB and KB-R sent out by WSBA
o 13 May 2024, policy is noted as KB and KB-R on the agenda and minutes due to each district having the ability to set policy coding as they see fit.
· Policy adopted by NCSD1 Trustees on 10 June 2024, as BP KBAA and KBAA-R on second reading.
As has been pointed out in process above, the legislative concern for parental rights in education was paramount. The district took the mandated steps which align with the intentions of the legislature, paralleling policy with almost exact wording from the now established Wyoming State Statute 21-3-135. Keep in mind this statute was passed with a near unanimous vote of the elected legislative body of the State of Wyoming during the 2024 Legislative Session.
Regarding the teaching aspect of this policy, there is this to say. The staff of NCSD1 have worked, and continue to work diligently, on updating curriculum. What is curriculum? Simply stated, it is “what is to be taught.” Our curriculum design is based on the Wyoming State Standards in all subjects. There are no state standards, as found here on the WDE website: Content & Performance Standards, which have been kept private from public consumption. After reading those standards it becomes very evident that there is nothing controversial about what is to be taught. Remember, curriculum is not a textbook, a worksheet, a website, or any other resource. Curriculum is a strategic, thoughtful, sequential, and purposeful collection of WHAT students will receive during instruction given a particular subject and grade level. It is the job of the district to ensure this is doable given the amount of time we have available to do it.
Providing effective curriculum is a big lift for our staff, and it is a continuous process in which we take great satisfaction in doing it well and better than we have ever done it before. That testament of our staff should be recognized by everyone who takes time to know them as professionals, friends, and community members. We do this so that there are no deviations from what is prepared and adopted by the board. Policy KBAA is there to ensure that parents have the authority to challenge when somehow our processes don’t align with what is approved. It is there to make sure the best decisions for OUR STUDENTS are fully recognized to be those of the parent first.
This is a tremendous community full of potential to be the leaders in Wyoming, and maybe even further. It is my hope that every one of you who reads this can be a part of the solutions that will make this happen. I have never worked with a better community of educators who endeavor to ensure OUR STUDENTS will leave our schools ready to serve others and be the best citizens, best community members, and best graduates for the betterment of Niobrara County and the rest of Wyoming.