Superintendent Libby highlights attendance drop, first‑day events, new programs and maintenance timeline

Rock Springs — Superintendent Libby told trustees on Sept. 8 that the district had a small decline in attendance since May and highlighted first‑day activities, an expanded junior‑high athletics plan and other operational items. Libby said district attendance at the start of the month stood at about 47.66 (percentage reported conversationally) and that pre‑school numbers dropped by roughly 116 students compared with May; she said staff are investigating where those students went. Libby described first‑day events that included split entrances at the combined Farson K–12 campus, a new in‑school program called Reach that lets students use supervised class time for academic catch‑up or personal projects, and districtwide activities where high‑school athletes, band and cheerleaders visited elementary campuses. Transportation held “meet the drivers” events at elementary schools so parents could meet bus drivers, an initiative Libby praised for improving student safety and daily check‑ins. She also noted FBLA student participation in community events and a recent University of Wyoming campus visit for students. On athletics, Libby and trustees described expanding junior‑high volleyball and adding coaches so more students have playing time; trustees said the district will randomize team assignments to preserve fairness and explore non‑conference games to increase play opportunities. Trustees also reported favorable early feedback on the ninth‑grade center. Libby said the state moved up the deadline for the district’s major‑maintenance plan by four months and that the plan will come to the board in October; district accreditation and an October informational on board goals and local counsel were also announced. No formal board action was taken on these operational items at the meeting.