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Public commenters urge district to expand support for vulnerable students and broaden input on principal hiring
Summary
Two residents told the Natrona County School District #1 board they want more targeted supports for English-language learners, students experiencing homelessness, foster youth and students with disabilities, and asked the district to revisit principal hiring procedures to give stakeholders a clearer voice.
Two public commenters told the Natrona County School District #1 board that district leaders should increase targeted support for vulnerable students and revisit principal‑hiring procedures to allow more stakeholder input.
Joe Moreliz, a Casper resident, addressed trustees during the meeting’s public comment period and cited district graduation figures. "Our graduation rate of 77.5 percent includes all of our students," Moreliz said, and he identified five groups he said require additional attention: English‑language learners, students for whom English is not the first language, homeless students, students in foster care and students with disabilities who qualify for individualized education programs. "If you were to remove those students, our graduation rate would be an impressive and noteworthy 93 percent," he said, adding that those groups "are your responsibility and they need your help."
Chelsea Horner, a parent with four students in the district, asked the board to reconsider the district’s policy and procedure for selecting principals. Horner described the hiring process as one in which a stakeholder committee interviews candidates but the final decision rests with the superintendent and staff; she said some teachers and parents feel "ostracized and unable to speak up" and asked the board to expand meaningful opportunities for community and teacher input without making the appointment a popular vote.
Before public comment began, the board’s legal counsel reminded meeting attendees that the board does not discuss personnel matters in public when those matters are appropriate for executive session under Wyoming statute. The counsel asked those commenting to "refrain from commenting" on personnel to stay in compliance with state law.
Board members did not take immediate action on the requests during the public comment period. The remarks were entered into the public record for trustees and district staff to consider at a later time.
