Superintendent predicts lawsuit over 'siloed' state education funding

New state laws raise concerns over teacher burden, local control

Board approves concealed carry for select district employees

District pivots to AI literacy rather than banning the technology

Summer maintenance slate includes high school parking, Davis Middle roof

Future of high school athletic trainer program hangs on $70,000 price tag

Evanston High to host first outdoor high school volleyball game in Wyoming

Officials defend keeping separate middle school sports programs

Board honors girls wrestling trailblazer, state champion boys swim relay

1. Superintendent predicts lawsuit over 'siloed' state education funding

EVANSTON, Wyo. — Superintendent Ryan Thomas expressed intense frustration over Senate File 81, a state school-funding recalibration bill that adds $125 million to Wyoming education but heavily restricts how districts can spend it. Thomas explained that $90 million is "siloed" strictly for tutors, instructional coaches and summer school, leaving districts unable to use the funds to cover deficits in health insurance, maintenance and administrative costs. While the district appears to gain $5 million on paper, Thomas noted only about $1.5 million is usable, predicting school districts will likely sue the state over the loss of local control.

2. New state laws raise concerns over teacher burden, local control

EVANSTON, Wyo. — District officials criticized recent state legislation they argue will negatively impact classrooms, including a state law allowing homeschooled and private school students to attend public schools for part of the day. Superintendent Ryan Thomas warned the policy will place undue supervisory and academic burdens on teachers. Additionally, Thomas condemned Senate File 59, a state requirement tying K–8 instruction to state-selected reading programs and mandating learning plans for students below a set assessment benchmark, calling it a major loss of local educational control.

3. Board approves concealed carry for select district employees

EVANSTON, Wyo. — Following a private executive session, the board of trustees approved a measure permitting concealed carry of firearms by authorized district personnel on school grounds. The approval occurred without public debate during the regular meeting. The move falls under established district safety protocols regarding armed personnel in schools.

4. District pivots to AI literacy rather than banning the technology

EVANSTON, Wyo. — Rather than banning artificial intelligence programs like ChatGPT, the district is developing a comprehensive AI literacy program for students, staff and parents. During a technology report, it was noted that teachers are already utilizing AI tools for lesson planning and that students need to learn how to use the technology responsibly and ethically. The district plans to launch community surveys later this month to gauge local understanding of the technology before rolling out specific educational modules.

5. Summer maintenance slate includes high school parking, Davis Middle roof

EVANSTON, Wyo. — The district is preparing for a busy summer of facility upgrades, highlighted by a major overhaul of the Evanston High School parking lot and traffic loop designed to increase visitor parking and improve pedestrian safety. Other projects include the second phase of a heating and cooling update at the high school, as well as a new roof and comprehensive electrical updates at Davis Middle School. The recent completion of a $300,000 lighting and projection upgrade in the high school auditorium was also announced.

6. Future of high school athletic trainer program hangs on $70,000 price tag

EVANSTON, Wyo. — The district may soon have to pay $70,000 annually to keep its athletic trainer from Star Valley Health, a regional health care provider. The hospital, which currently provides the service free of charge, intends to amend future contracts to require the district to pay half the trainer's salary starting next school year. Superintendent Ryan Thomas noted the district cannot easily absorb the cost unless the trainer also teaches a high school class, which would allow the position to be funded through instructional dollars.

7. Evanston High to host first outdoor high school volleyball game in Wyoming

EVANSTON, Wyo. — Activities director Bubba O'Neill announced plans to host Wyoming's first-ever outdoor high school volleyball matches this fall at the Evanston High School football stadium. The district recently purchased a specialized portable volleyball floor from a university auction. The event will feature three games in one evening, drawing teams from Idaho and Cheyenne, Wyoming, and is expected to be the most highly attended volleyball event in state history.

8. Officials defend keeping separate middle school sports programs

EVANSTON, Wyo. — Amid community discussion about consolidating the Evanston and Davis middle school sports teams into single "A" and "B" traveling squads, district leaders strongly defended the current model of keeping the programs separate. Activities director Bubba O'Neill and Superintendent Ryan Thomas argued that combining the schools would drastically limit participation opportunities, cutting roster spots and stunting the development of younger athletes who eventually feed into the high school's varsity programs.

9. Board honors girls wrestling trailblazer, state champion boys swim relay

EVANSTON, Wyo. — Local student-athletes were celebrated, recognizing graduating senior Sidney Liechty as the district's first state champion in girls wrestling after she took the 115-pound title. Additionally, members of the boys 200-yard freestyle relay team were honored for winning first place at the state championship and breaking a school record that had stood since 1995.

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

Contact Us