Fremont County School District #25 trustees press advocacy, warn of tax cuts and budget stress
Summary
Board members described takeaways from statewide meetings and advocacy training, discussed proposed WSBA resolutions on employee hearing timelines, expressed concern about deepening budget pressure from property-tax reductions, and urged grassroots engagement and candidate recruitment ahead of legislative sessions.
Trustees reported multiple external meetings and trainings and used the round-table portion of the agenda to discuss how state-level policy and tax changes might affect local schools.
Several trustees who attended the Wyoming School Boards Association and advocacy training described proposed resolutions under consideration, including one the presenter said had been split into two: one addressing criminal charges and administrative leave and a separate proposal addressing for-cause timelines. Board members explained the split was intended to separate criminal-process timing from for-cause employment procedures.
Trustees repeatedly raised concerns about the state’s fiscal outlook and the local impact of property-tax reductions. Members cited a projected $640 million deficit in the 2030 biennium that could reduce state support for local services and warned that further property-tax cuts could shift political pressure onto school budgets. In round-table remarks, one trustee urged beginning local candidate recruitment and grassroots advocacy now to elect legislators more supportive of sustained education funding.
Board members emphasized outreach and relationship-building with legislators. Ally (board member) advocated for electoral change: “I think the best way to go about it is to vote somebody else in,” she said, and urged starting grassroots work now to identify potential candidates and supporters.
Trustees also flagged several anticipated bills and policy areas to watch, including multiple election-law measures and proposals tied to taxation and local government funding. They recommended trustees and district staff continue community outreach to highlight local education successes and to correct misinformation circulating on social media.
The board did not take a formal vote on policy positions but asked staff and trustees to continue advocacy efforts and to coordinate communications to district constituents about the issues discussed.
