Holy cow. Can the election just get here, get over and get gone? 

I am sure I am not the only one sitting here, feeling like I am living the infamous Groundhog’s Day. There are more election signs than tumbleweeds gathered along the streets, in yards and even rural pastures in Goshen County and I can’t wait for the day those political signs fade and head to the trash. Afterall, elections, death and accidents bring out the absolute worst in people. You find out who your friends are. 

As we approach the polls in a few short days, I have answered many questions regarding the election. I have been happy to direct the community to voting locations and our recent publications which deeply discuss ballot incentives and publications which gave the candidates an opportunity to answer a few questions. I feel our paper has done an outstanding job of keeping the public up to date with election information, which includes our attendance at the school board candidate forum we were invited to. 

The most popular question I have been asked is: “Who are you voting in for school board?”

The one question I will not answer, regardless of what words conclude it, is: “Who are you voting for?”

Nope. Not going to answer that question and it doesn’t matter who asks it. Sure, I will tell you all of the places you can research that topic, but I will not tell you who you should vote for.

In our “Meet the GCSD #1 candidates,” article on September 20, candidates gave responses to our question. The Goshen County Education Association invited us to a candidate forum which can be found in our October 23 and October 25 editions where the candidates, again, answered rounds of questions. The election guide, also in the October 25 edition, also gave those candidates the opportunity to share their responses once more. 

The school board is an important board. It is one that requires its members to participate. It requires members to stand up and voice their opinion. It requires a member who can work as a team player.

I can remember attending one of the forums held many years ago, when my adopted dad ran for reelection on the school board. I presented his short speech to the community as he was unable to attend the forum due to trainings he attended for the district. At that age, I had no idea what a school board was or what they did…or why they were so important. I just knew the school board took a lot of dad’s time and he was dedicated. 

Flash-forward many years and now I have children in the district. 

This year, there are six seats open on the board. Six different mindsets. Six different sets of morals, values and beliefs…Only three board members remain on the board and subbing six new players into the game is rather intimidating. 

This election matters and it matters deeply because those six new voices could possibly change the district, our education system in Goshen County and the lives of our children forever as we know the majority vote rules.

Before you head to the polls and select your candidates, let me ask you a few questions: What does a school board do? 

In 1647, the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed a law requiring towns to establish and maintain schools and at the same time, a board of selectmen to oversee the school was also established. It was the first time in the world a government established a system of public schools. Thomas Jefferson insisted on a public board governance of the University of Virginia when he established it in 1819. Jefferson believed the public oversight of the education system was essential and it is. 

Jefferson believed public education was essential to our democracy and it is. 

Jefferson believed in a governance which was close to the people. 

“I think by far the most important bill in our whole code is that for the diffusion of knowledge among the people. No other sure foundation can be devised for the preservation of freedom and happiness,” Jefferson proclaimed. 

Wyoming law establishes school districts as bodied corporate and the law further establishes the board of trustees of a school district as the governing body of the school district. 

The school board makes decisions on behalf of the school district, without compensation. 

What duties does the school board have?

The actual duties of the board of trustees are not confined to a single statue or a single area of the statues. Many of them are listed in Wyoming State Statute 21-3-110. The Wyoming State School Board Association outlines them below:

Develop policies and enforce rules and regulations for its own government and for the government of the schools under its jurisdiction. 

Keep minutes of all meetings at which official action is taken and a record of all official acts including a record of all warrants issued against money belonging to the district. 

Fix time and place of regular meeting, provided, that there shall be at least one meeting per month.

Submit reports concerning finances or any other matter as the state board, state superintendent or state laws may require.

Estimate the funds required to be raised for public school purpose through a tax levy and present to the county commissioners a certified copy of the budget as adopted with a certified estimate of the state tax required to raise the appropriate amount. 

Fix the site of each school facility needing funds from the state construction department and ensure facility leases meet certain requirements under the law.

Consider every petition presented to the board and subscribed by at least five (5) citizens and take some action within thirty (30) days after it is received, provided the that the precise question has not been previously acted upon at a board meeting within the current fiscal year.

Require an accounting of all receipts and expenditures to be made by each organization, function, or other group sponsored by, or functioning in any way with the school district.

Provide an education program in compliance with the uniform standards prescribed under W.S. 21-9-101 and 21-9-102 and by rule and regulation of the state board.

Require the performance of each initial contract teacher be evaluated in writing as prescribed by rule and regulation.

Establish a teacher performance evaluation system that requires the performance of each continuing contract teacher be evaluated in writing as prescribed by rule and regulation.

Require the performance of each school district leader, including superintendents and principals and other district or school leaders serving in a similar capacity to be evaluated each year in accordance with the professional standards established by the state board of education.

What powers does the school board have?

The powers of the Board of Trustees are not confined to a single statute or a single area of the statutes, but many are listed at W.S. 21-3-111. The Wyoming School Board Association defines them below:

Sue and be sued, employ legal counsel, and bear the cost of litigation.

Administer oaths in all matters pertaining to the district.

Acquire, hold, convey, lease, rent, and manage property, real and personal.

Enter into agreements with any public or private agency, institution, person, or corporation for the performance of acts or furnishing of services or facilities.

Employ legal counsel and bear costs of litigation.

Accept or reject any federal or other gift, grant, bequest, or devise.

Employ a superintendent of schools, teachers, principals, other certified professional employees, and other personnel, and determine their salaries.

Discharge any employee subject to the provisions of any applicable laws. Insure against the loss of property.

Become members of county, state, and national school boards associations and pay dues to such associations.

Provide for the operation of school lunch programs.

Require an officer or employee whose duty it is to handle funds or property of the district to be bonded.

Convey title to real property subject to applicable laws.

Define “unexcused absence” and “habitual truancy” for all students attending schools in the school district and who have not met compulsory attendance requirements and establish rules and regulations regarding their attendance.

What are the board’s restrictions and penalties? 

The Wyoming School Board Association explains, laws also provide restrictions and penalties, denying trustees the right to:

Approve policies, rules or regulations that are not consistent with the laws of the state and rules and regulations of the state board and state superintendent.

Receive compensation for services as board members other than mileage, travel expenses, or per diem at a rate not to exceed that paid to state employees. (W.S. 21-3-107)

Refuse to deliver records to successors in office. (W.S. 21-3-121)

Fail to file reports as required by the state board or state law.

Be interested in any contract unless he discloses his interest and absents himself when the board considers the contract. (W.S. 9-13-106)

Accept gifts, loans, gratuity, special discounts, hospitality with a value of over two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00). (W.S. 9-13-101)

Willfully fail, refuse, or neglect to perform any duty imposed by the provisions of the code, subject to misdemeanor and $100 fine, thirty days in jail or both. (W.S. 21-3-124)

Shall not obtain, sponsor, arrange, or handle insurance of any kind from companies that do not maintain and office in the state and are not authorized to do business in Wyoming. (W.S. 21-3-130)

Participate in a matter related to the hiring or discipline of a family member. (W.S. 9-13-104)

Use his office for his private benefit. (W.S. 9-13-103)

Make a profit, directly or indirectly, for the use of public money or from letting public contracts unless there is full disclosure and abstention from the voting on the deal, subject to $1,000 fine. (W.S. 9-13-105)

Divert any school district money for purposes other than legally specified.

Convert any school district money to private use.

Accept or offer bribes.

Allow discrimination because of sex, color, or religion. (Article 7, Sec. 10, Wyoming Constitution)

Permit the teaching of any sectarian religion. (Article 7, Sec. 12, Wyoming Constitution)

The Wyoming School Board Association lists four key works of the school board; vision, accountability, policy, community leadership and board-superintendent relationship. 

“Wyoming’s school boards represent the views of parents, businesses, stakeholders, and the public in the oversight and governance of the district. They are elected by the public to be that voice,” the association explains. 

In order for a voter to decide which candidate to vote for, it should be an educated decision. We have heard the voices from the candidates who wished to publicly respond to the public forum as well as the candidates who provided their responses for the paper. 

Please take the time to understand a little bit more about the position those candidates are seeking your vote on this Tuesday. Take the time to connect the responses in our publications to what the Wyoming School Board Association outlines for our local board and ask yourself which candidate will uphold these bullet points. 

The school board is a tremendous responsibility. It requires dedication. It requires trust. It requires transparency. 

Voting is also a tremendous responsibility. Vote responsibly.