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Trustees alarmed by reports of activity cuts; superintendent says athletics won’t be cut despite $550,000 hit
Summary
Trustees criticized a WHSAA press release that suggested cuts to activities; Superintendent Hensley said the district faces a roughly $550,000 noninstructional reduction tied to state recalibration rules but is not planning to cut athletics and activities for next year.
Trustee concerns over reports that state-level action would eliminate certain school activities moved to the center of the Natrona County School District #1 board meeting, where trustees urged caution in public messaging and the superintendent offered a detailed budget clarification.
At the board’s May meeting, Trustee Schmidt said a recent Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA) press release suggesting that some sports and activities could be cut was premature and risked needlessly alarming families. "We as Board of Trustees have not talked about that at all. It is not our intent and it has not been brought to us, to cut our athletics or activities budget," he said, urging the public to research how activities are supported and how WHSAA operates.
Schmidt framed the issue within the state’s broader recalibration process, which he said has created funding winners and losers among districts. He referenced the state’s legal context, saying the Campbell decision requires equal funding across districts — a standard he described as difficult to meet and one that will continue to drive litigation and pressure on school budgets.
Superintendent Hensley responded to trustees’ concerns by describing the district’s fiscal position. "Natrona County School District was reduced about $550,000 in the budget for next year," he said, referring to reductions in the district’s noninstructional budget. Hensley added that the district had already presented a balanced budget and that, despite the reduction, leaders were not planning to cut athletics and activities for next year. "We are not planning to cut athletics and activities for next year," he said.
Hensley said the district will continue to examine the overall budget as new state rules take effect and noted that while NCSD is large enough to absorb some shifts, other districts are less fortunate.
Trustees urged residents to follow the process and contact legislators if they are concerned about statewide changes. The board did not take formal action on athletics at the meeting; Hensley said staff will continue monitoring budget rules and return with any necessary recommendations as the district works through the fiscal year.
