Jason Foos presents vision for Sweetwater County School District #2 at Green River candidate forum

Jason Foos, director of human resources for Sweetwater County School District #2 and a candidate for the district's superintendent position, laid out his background and priorities at a candidate forum hosted by the Green River Chamber of Commerce.

Foos began by describing his ties to the community and his experience in local schools: he moved to the area in 1999, taught and coached at Green River High School, served as principal at Monroe Intermediate and Green River High, worked in Rock Springs School District 1 in administrative roles and has spent the last 12 years as the district's director of human resources.

Foos said he would seek to "add bricks to the foundation of the already great legacy that this district has," and emphasized relationships and community partnerships as core strategies. "This is my home," he said. "I want to continue to build relationships. And I want to continue to add bricks to the foundation of the already great legacy that this district has."

During a panel-led question-and-answer session, Foos described priorities and examples he would bring to the superintendent role. On preparing students for both college and careers, he pointed to the district’s existing initiatives and internships, saying education must broaden to include job-entry skills and opportunities to earn college credits and internships. He noted local partnerships and the district's "profile of a graduate" approach as guiding frameworks.

On instructional supports for students who are falling behind, Foos highlighted an "options" or intervention period he helped implement at Green River High School that gave students time for remediation, counseling and credit recovery. He said the intervention period contributed to improved graduation outcomes while acknowledging multiple factors influence results. "That option period was just so broad to meet the needs and so many different needs of students," he said.

Panelists pressed Foos on budgeting and enrollment. Foos described the district as being in a long-term enrollment decline that began around 2016 and said the district is now at its "lowest student enrollment since the nineties." He told the forum that budgeting must be guided by forecasting and by tracking state funding changes such as the external cost adjustment (ECA). Foos acknowledged recent legislative ECA actions and referenced a pending finance lawsuit that he said may go to the Wyoming Supreme Court. He said forecasting enrollment and state funding is key to avoiding deeper program cuts.

Foos described strategies the district uses to secure funds, including a district grant writer, consolidated grant funds, BOCES support and other grants that pay staff salaries and counselor positions. He cautioned that some services depend on time-limited grants and said sustaining successful programs will require planning given declining enrollment.

When asked about teacher and staff recruitment, retention and professional development, Foos emphasized "opportunities for advancement," targeted professional development for administrators, and employee recognition and benefits. He also referenced recent improvements to leave policies, including maternity and paternity leave and added personal time for long-serving employees.

On mental health, Foos said the district has expanded counseling staff at the elementary, middle and high school levels, has used trauma-informed grants and has adjusted employee insurance to provide some mental-health supports. He stressed supporting teachers who are often first to see students in crisis: "students know their teachers best. When they go there with an issue, a teacher needs to know, I go here."

Foos discussed rural program delivery and technology, saying rural schools require different staffing and grouping strategies and that remote instruction and virtual connections can supplement services. He singled out career-and-technical education, internships and soft-skills training as priorities for workforce readiness and described past examples of partnership fundraising for athletics and activities.

The forum closed with Foos restating his desire to "add value" and serve the community if selected. Jessica Hunter of the Green River Chamber of Commerce opened the forum and noted this was the first of three community forums; Hunter said the forums are intended to let district patrons, staff and community members hear from candidates for the superintendent vacancy.

Votes or formal board actions were not part of this event; the forum was an opportunity for candidate statements and panel questions.