8 takeaways from Sweetwater County District 1 school board meeting

Board Tables Controversial Public Comment Policy After Debate

District Test Scores Show Major Gains in Science and English, But Math Remains a Challenge

Students Launch Initiative to Tackle Mental Health Crisis

Junior High Expands Sports Programs to Create "No-Cut" Opportunities

Superintendent Reports Drop in Student Enrollment

New "Traveling" Meetings Aim to Boost Community Engagement

District Partners with City of Rock Springs for Student Flag Design Contest

Ninth Grade Center Receives Positive Early Feedback

Board Tables Controversial Public Comment Policy After Debate

ROCK SPRINGS - The School Board on Thursday postponed a vote on proposed changes to its public participation policy after extensive board discussion and public concern. The revised policy, recommended by district legal counsel, aims to define the board meeting as a "limited public forum" focused on governance, policy, and operations. It would direct comments regarding individual students or staff performance to formal, confidential complaint channels. Several board members, acknowledging public apprehension about being silenced, supported tabling the motion to better educate the community on the existing grievance processes and to ensure the policy's intent is not to stifle criticism but to handle sensitive issues appropriately. The proposal will be revisited at a future meeting.

District Test Scores Show Major Gains in Science and English, But Math Remains a Challenge

ROCK SPRINGS - The district celebrated significant academic growth in the latest Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress (WY‑TOPP) results, ranking number one among large districts for one-year growth in science and number three in English Language Arts. Tenth-grade ELA and science scores saw particularly large jumps. However, the report also highlighted a critical area of concern: mathematics. While scores showed growth in third through fifth grade, they dropped significantly from sixth through tenth grade. Superintendent Dr. Joseph A. Libby acknowledged the challenge, noting last year's focus was on literacy. He announced that this year, the district will implement new math screeners and intervention tools for K‑6 students to better identify and address learning gaps.

Students Launch Initiative to Tackle Mental Health Crisis

ROCK SPRINGS - Students from Rock Springs High School delivered a powerful presentation on a student‑led initiative focused on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Citing stark statistics—including that an estimated 323 RSHS students have considered suicide—the group outlined its mission to create a culture where "it is okay to not be okay." Their primary goal is to raise $70,000 by January to provide every senior with a pair of cowboy boots, a symbol used by the foundation to encourage students to perform "boot checks" and ask their peers how they are doing. The initiative is also being implemented at Farson‑Eden School and Black Butte High School, creating a district‑wide movement to support student well‑being.

Junior High Expands Sports Programs to Create "No-Cut" Opportunities

ROCK SPRINGS - In an effort to keep more students engaged in athletics, the district has expanded its junior high sports programs, effectively creating a "no‑cut" policy for popular sports. After 50 girls tried out for seventh‑grade volleyball, the district hired two additional coaches to form more teams, rather than cutting players. The board praised the move, noting that being cut in junior high often discourages students from ever trying another sport. Superintendent Dr. Joseph A. Libby emphasized that the goal is to develop talent and a love for the game, ensuring teams are divided randomly to provide equal opportunities for all students to build skills and stay active in school.

Superintendent Reports Drop in Student Enrollment

ROCK SPRINGS - Superintendent Dr. Joseph A. Libby reported a notable decrease in student enrollment to start the school year. The current count stands at 4,766 students, a drop of 116 students since the end of the last school year in May. Dr. Libby stated that the district is conducting a "deeper dive" into the data to determine the cause of the decline, examining whether it is due to a larger graduating class than the incoming kindergarten class or if families have moved out of the district over the summer.

New "Traveling" Meetings Aim to Boost Community Engagement

ROCK SPRINGS - To make board leadership more accessible to the public, Superintendent Dr. Joseph A. Libby and Board Chair Cole Wright will begin holding their informal fourth‑Thursday meetings at various locations throughout the community. Instead of meeting at the district office, the duo will set up at local businesses for casual conversations with residents. The initiative aims to meet community members in more comfortable and convenient settings to foster open dialogue.

District Partners with City of Rock Springs for Student Flag Design Contest

ROCK SPRINGS - The district is promoting a new partnership with the City of Rock Springs, inviting all K‑12 students to participate in a youth flag design contest. With the theme "Many Cultures, One Community, Rock Springs Together," the competition challenges students to capture the spirit of their community. The winning design will become the new official city flag, and the student artist will receive a $500 cash prize. The deadline for submissions is October 15th, and information has been distributed to art teachers across the district.

Ninth Grade Center Receives Positive Early Feedback

ROCK SPRINGS - The newly established Ninth Grade Center—Rock Springs Satellite High School (9th Grade Center)—is receiving positive reviews from parents and students just a few weeks into the school year. One board member shared an anecdote about a parent who was initially against the center but has since been thrilled with her child's positive experience. Dr. Libby added that the program is succeeding in its goal of creating a focused academic environment with smaller class sizes and stronger relationships to ease the critical transition from eighth to ninth grade. Administrators have already made small adjustments, such as changing entry and exit flows during lunch, to further improve the building's operations.

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