Parents say district moved Functional Life Skills program without consultation; board apologizes for communication failures

Several parents told the Natrona County School District #1 board on Nov. 24 that the district finalized a decision to relocate the Paradise Valley Functional Life Skills (FLS) program to Fort Casper Academy without meaningful staff or family input.

Sarah Herman, who identified herself as a former district employee and a parent of a child in the FLS program, said she received a phone call informing her son had been “automatically enrolled at Fort Casper Academy for next year” after the district consolidated FLS services. “This isn't about what's best for kids,” Herman said. “It's about numbers, square footage, funding, and the convenience.” She said the move would uproot students who rely on routine and trusted relationships and remove them from a recently remodeled ADA classroom tailored to their needs.

Kaya Spiva, another Paradise Valley parent, told the board the district had not consulted parents or staff and that Fort Casper’s stated mission — which she described as emphasizing academic training — is a mismatch for children whose goals “are life skills, not college readiness.” “My child's goals are life skills,” Spiva said. “He struggles in rigid, non flexible environments.” She urged the district to consider alternatives such as relocating Fort Casper’s program into Paradise Valley or using Evansville School, which she said has appropriate infrastructure.

Eric Weimer, also a parent of a child with special needs, asked directly: “Why was the decision made? Who made the decision? Were other options considered?” He said the affected educators and families were blindsided and called for transparency and collaboration on decisions that affect vulnerable students.

Trustee Schmidt acknowledged the parents’ concerns and offered an apology for how the district communicated the decision, saying, “I'm sorry that things weren't handled in a way that made you feel comfortable.” Schmidt said the board and district should manage similar transitions in a “more timely and compassionate way” and invited parents to bring future problems to the board for follow-up.

No formal vote or board action on the FLS relocation was recorded during the meeting. Parents asked the district to provide the rationale, the decision-making timeline, and assurances about which staff and support services, if any, will move with students. The board did not announce a timetable for responding during the meeting.

The meeting’s public comments reflect a recurring request from multiple speakers for clearer communication and inclusion of families and staff in decisions affecting special-education placements.