Natrona County School District board adopts amended resolution marking 250th anniversary of Declaration of Independence

The Natrona County School District #1 Board of Trustees voted to adopt a resolution supporting district participation in the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence after discussing amendments and hearing public comment on the topic.

The resolution, as approved, declares that the district “proudly joins in the national observation of the 250th anniversary” and supports “the development of and participation in initiatives by the schools, their staff, and their students.” Board members debated language and additions for several minutes before the final motion to approve the amended text carried.

The matter first appeared during requests to amend the agenda, when a trustee asked to add a resolution for discussion and possible vote. Multiple members proposed edits to shorten and clarify the original draft; others argued for restoring language that recognizes the sacrifices of those who defended the nation. Trustees spoke about balancing brevity with substantive recognition of the document’s importance.

Members of the public addressed the board before the vote. Ross Shrickman urged stronger emphasis on teaching the nation’s founding principles and referenced the Declaration and the Constitution. Linda Bergeron and Robin Sviva spoke in favor of prominently celebrating the nation’s heritage. Others, including Trustee Schmidt, said she supported celebrating the anniversary but voted against the particular amended version at an earlier point on principle. Trustee discussion referenced both historical context and how schools might observe the anniversary in curriculum and events.

The final text read aloud at the meeting cites the July 4, 2026, commemoration date and includes language that the Declaration “affirmed that all are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights.” The board recorded the resolution as a district declaration in support of local observations and school-led activities.

The board did not read a roll-call vote count into the record during the motion to adopt; members raised hands to indicate support or opposition and the chair announced the measure approved. The transcript records at least one opposed vote earlier in the amendment process, and subsequent discussion and a final vote that carried the resolution as amended.

The board did not specify any binding curricular requirements or implementation schedule in the resolution; the document states only that the district “supports the development of and participation in initiatives” by schools, staff and students. Trustees said they expected schools to determine appropriate local activities and that further administrative guidance could follow.

The resolution text read at the meeting will be retained in district records and distributed to schools for consideration in planning local observances and classroom work tied to the semiquincentennial.