Board places Jefferson Elementary in three-year mothball status after zero enrollments

The Fremont County School District #1 board voted to place Jefferson Elementary in mothball status at its April 21 meeting after staff reported no student registrations for the 2026–27 school year.

Superintendent Harris told the board the district checked enrollment at 5:30 p.m. the night of the meeting and “as of this evening … there has been no students enrolled,” a fact that the administration said made it impractical to hire and staff the school for next year. The board noted the district had previously set a 10‑student threshold for assigning a teacher and keeping the site open.

The decision matters to families in Jefferson City, who urged the board during public comment to keep the building available. One resident, identified in the record as Steve Ward, questioned how the district arrived at the 10‑student target and urged clearer community communication. Chair (board) and staff responded that “mothballing” is a temporary, administrative designation that keeps the facility available for community use and can be revisited if families register students.

Board members explained the practical constraint driving the vote: without confirmed enrollments the district would be unable to recruit and hire a certified teacher in time. “We can reverse course on this issue” if families register, a trustee said, and staff reminded the public that enrollment is completed online through the Lander Schools website.

Members also clarified the state process: the mothball status must be renewed every three years with the state facilities commission, but the board can reopen the school sooner if sufficient registrations appear. Trustees encouraged residents to register early (January is the district’s usual registration window) and said they would continue outreach to Jefferson families.

The motion to place Jefferson Elementary in mothball status carried by voice vote; the board recorded the outcome and stressed the status was not intended to preclude community use of the building. The administration and trustees said they will continue communications and can revisit the decision if enrollment changes.

The board also discussed logistical follow-ups: how the district will publicize reopening procedures and how to track potential students between meetings. The district said facility use requests remain open for community groups and that the building can be made available through the normal facilities request process.

The board’s action closes this item for now; trustees said they will monitor registration numbers and consider reopening if families register in sufficient numbers.