JACKSON, Wyo. — On Wednesday, March 12, the Teton County School District (TCSD) #1 Board of Trustees shared that they are assessing needed measures to help ensure student, teacher and public safety after the passing of House Bill 172- Repeal gun free zones and preemption amendments.
The new statute, which passed on Feb. 27, states that “persons lawfully carrying concealed weapons in Wyoming” can concealed carry in any school or university building.
Trustee Betsy Carlin said that the Board will be addressing TCSD safety procedures during next month’s meeting on Thursday, April 17. During this meeting, public comment will be received.
“Legislative changes are causing concern in the community,” Carlin said at the Board meeting. “We assure the public that we are on top of it and are doing the best we can.”
Trustee Bill Scarlett told Buckrail that during the upcoming recalibration process of Wyoming’s K-12 block grant, TCSD will evaluate the costs of needed safety and security measures. On March 3, State Legislatures passed House Bill 316 that initiated the recalibration of the education funding model. The formation of the “committee on school finance recalibration,” was formed after Laramie County District Court Judge Peter Froelicher issued a 186-page ruling that the Wyoming Legislature has been “unconstitutionally” underfunding the state’s public schools.
Scarlett said that Wyoming Representative Mike Yin, a member of the school finance recalibration committee, will be a voice for Teton County. According to Scarlett, the first meeting to discuss school funding will be held in Cheyenne on April 23, and committee members will continue to meet once a month throughout the summer.
Information for how to send a written comment to the state finance recalibration committee can be found here. The TCSD’s Board of Trustees April meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at TCSD #1 District Office Boardroom, 1235 Gregory Lane, Jackson, WY 83001. Dates of the meetings are subject to change.
