Board chair says miscommunication led to contract extension, urges civility and previews public-comment rule changes

Chair Cole Wright apologized to the community for a miscommunication about an executive-session outcome and said the board did take action when it reconvened after the June 6 meeting, including a contract extension for Superintendent Dr. Libby. "That statement turned out to be incorrect. When the board reconvened, we did take action," Wright said, adding, "All trustees present voted to extend doctor Libby's contract. I recognize the confusion this caused, and I take full responsibility for that miscommunication."

Wright said the superintendent’s formal evaluation had been shifted earlier in the year and that trustees conducted a unified review that returned "unanimously favorable" feedback. He said Dr. Libby’s original evaluation had been due in October but was postponed "to allow newly elected trustees the chance to engage meaningfully," and that the extension vote met quorum requirements. Wright also noted Trustee Wood had not been at the June 6 meeting but "did contribute meaningfully to the evaluation."

The chair used the statement to press for more respectful public discourse around schools, urging participants to "think before you speak" and to "assume positive intent." Wright said the board would issue clearer expectations for public comment and reminded residents that the district is legally limited in sharing personnel- and student-related information. "Comments regarding the employment or performance of individual staff members cannot be addressed publicly by the board due to privacy protections under the Wyoming Public Records Act and due process rights under the Wyoming Teacher Employment Law," Wright said. He also cited federal privacy protections, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, when explaining limits on discussion of individual students.

Wright said the district is reviewing its public-participation policy (policy KD) to better reflect recent Wyoming case law. He referenced a Wyoming decision commonly cited as Pollak v. Wilson and other rulings, and said enforcement of any revisions would begin at the board’s September meeting. "To be clear, tonight is information only. Enforcement would start at September's board meeting," he said. He urged anyone with personnel concerns to use the formal complaint channels in district policy KLD and GMB, which require written, signed submissions.

Wright's remarks were followed by several public comments urging both accountability and civility; multiple speakers said they support clearer, lawful procedures for addressing personnel and student privacy while asking the board to remain accessible. The board approved the superintendent’s contract extension after reconvening from executive session; board minutes and roll call show the trustees present at the vote as: Ms. Wood, Ms. Schumacher, Mr. Franks, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Suppy, Mr. Sorensen and Chair Wright.

The chair framed his remarks as part apology and part policy direction: he accepted responsibility for the earlier misstatement, described the evaluation process that led to the contract extension, and previewed forthcoming changes to public-comment rules to align district practice with state court guidance. He asked the public to continue engaging while respecting legal limits on what can be discussed in an open meeting. "This is not a call to silence anyone. This is a call to communicate and collaborate respectfully," Wright said.

The board did not take additional policy votes on public comment at the meeting; Wright said the administration and board attorneys are reviewing language and that a formal update would come back for board consideration.