School board approves $1.6 million budget cuts, legal action resolution

In an effort to cut $1.6 million from its budget, the Sweetwater County School District No. 2 Board of Trustees approved recommendations that would reduce the district’s workforce as well as cut Winter and Spring athletics programs.

The district will cut two full time positions and one part time position, reduce positions through attrition while moving school librarians into the classrooms to teach. The board also agreed to cut building budgets by 10 percent. The board also voted to increase athletics fees for Lincoln Middle School and Green River High School, while cutting the indoor track, wrestling cheer, Spring golf and Spring tennis programs.

“None of these decisions were easy to make,” Superintendent Donna Little-Kaumo, said.

The board, after meeting in an executive session, also approved a resolution to potentially bring legal action against the state should the school board decide it necessary.

Rep. Stan Blake, D-Green River, spoke to the board in support of the resolution during the public comments portion of the meeting. Blake said he represents the residents living within House District 39, not the state. He said the legislature didn’t handle the education cuts in a fair and equitable manner. He also said the Wyoming Supreme Court had previously ruled in favor of school districts in the past when education was cut.

Similar resolutions were passed by other school districts, including Sweetwater County School District No. 1 in Rock Springs. The Rock Springs district passed its resolution Monday night.

Board member John Malone voiced his displeasure with the legislatures at the end of the board’s meeting. He said the board and legislators take the same oath to uphold the Wyoming Constitution.

“We shouldn’t have to remind those legislators who ignore the parts they don’t like,” he said.