Board approves Midwest High School's four-day alternative schedule renewal

The Natrona County School District #1 board voted to approve Midwest High School's renewal of its four-day alternative schedule, a decision the board said preserves instructional time while accommodating the needs of a small rural community.

Superintendent Hensley told trustees the school has operated on the alternative schedule since 2016-17 and must renew its application to the state. A trustee moved to approve the renewal and Trustee Hopkins seconded. Trustees spoke in favor, noting the schedule maintains the same total instructional time and helps students in Midwest access CTE and college programs available in Casper.

"They flourish because of it," one trustee said, adding that the small community and rural constraints make the schedule appropriate. Trustee Drew Rose emphasized that the district requires the same amount of instructional time; "it's just structured a little bit differently that works for them and their community."

The board approved the renewal by raised hands; the transcript does not include a roll-call tally or a written vote total.

What was said and what it means: Trustees framed the vote as support for local control and equitable access for rural students while ensuring the district's instructional-time requirements are met. The approval moves Midwest's application forward to the state for processing as required by statute and policy.

Next steps: The district will proceed with the state application/renewal process for the alternative schedule. The transcript does not specify further administrative deadlines or a vote tally.