Dear Superintendent Nelson and Board of Trustees:

We were shocked and dismayed to read about the school board’s decision against the “No Place for Hate” banners. As graduates of Wheatland High School, we have always been proud of the excellent education we received. However, after this short-sighted decision by the school board, we have serious doubts about the elected leadership of PCSD #1.

Let us say that Wheatland is full of decent, fair-minded people. They need to stand up to intolerance, because nothing positive will come about until they do. This is not about liberal vs. conservative or Republican vs. Democrat. This is a fair vs. unfair and right vs. wrong issue.

The four members of the school board who voted against the banners are not promoting the district’s vision of “Empowerment through learning so students can be successful now and in the future.” Nor are they “Preparing children for the 21st Century”, as noted on the district’s website. In fact, they are actively working against and discouraging both.

What these Trustees appear to be saying is that the only students they wish to empower and be successful are those who fit their idea of ‘normal.’ It is extremely disappointing to hear that Mr. Lee Dunham was a proponent of this terrible decision, given his lifelong dedication to education.

Further, just like any other district, PCSD #1 has policies against discrimination of any kind, hate, and bullying, as well as others that mandate tolerance of differences, good character, and a safe learning environment. With this decision, the school board just sent a message that they are going to violate their own policies, plus expect faculty and staff to promote this violation.

It wasn’t long ago that Matthew Shepard’s murder thrust the good people of Wyoming into negative limelight. While “No Place for Hate” is an inclusive program that teaches tolerance of all differences—physical, mental, racial, religious (the list goes on), the main reason given for not allowing the banners singled out sexual differences, which unfortunately brought negative publicity yet again.

If they had an issue with a sponsor, why couldn’t they have reached a compromise such as trimming that part of the poster (though it is proper to name all program sponsors, no matter who they are) or making posters without sponsor names? Those might not have been options, but surely there was a way to make this work and hold on to a program that not only helped raise awareness and tolerance of others, but appears to have been supported by the students themselves.

Instead, they chose to broadcast ignorance and narrow-mindedness and ensure that this inclusive, multi-faceted program could not continue. These Trustees should reverse their decision, then attend board training on diversity and make a formal apology, or else resign their seats. One shudders to think of the public relations nightmare these elected officials have created.

Schools and parents owe it to children to give them the tools to be successful adults—which includes working and playing among a diverse group of people with all types of differences. Those who supported the “No Place for Hate” effort are doing just that. Others are doing a tremendous disservice to these kids and are in essence telling them it’s OK to treat others who don’t look, think, or act like them as second-class citizens.

Our question to them is, “Do you realize you likely have at least one of these ‘second-class citizens’ in your own family?”

Melody (Wilhelm) Brooks, Class of 1986

Leven Moore, Class of 1983

Tina (Bowman) Gnauden, Class of 1984

Katrina Crossland, Class of 2005

Heidi Wilhelm, Class of 1982

Cheryl Lynn (O'Connell) Herman, Class of 1986

Larry D. Herman, Class of 1986

Leslie (Cox) Crossland, Class of 1985

Chuck Cox, Class of 1988

Thahn Nygen, Class of 2007

Linnea Jonnsson, Class of 2008

Tristiny Clausen, Class of 2009

Briana Sheeley, Class of 2005

Tammie (Roberts) Kennedy, Class of 1988

Emma (Bray) Myers, Class of 1986

Stacy (Prewitt) Fernandes, Class of 1986

Carri Weber, Class of 1985

Terri (Weber) Lenz, Class of 1985

James Weber, Class of 1988

Lynn (Hazaleus) Kober, Class of 1989

Will Nolan, Class of 1984

Steven R. Freund [former student], Class of 2006

Scott C. Freund [former student], Class of 2006

Sean Patrick Freund [former resident], Class of 2007

Trevor D. Herman [former resident], Class of 2008

Jeremy Bredeson, Class of 1991

Rebecca (Hattan) Motley, Class of 1988

Rebecca (Lee) Maxwell, Class of 1987

Terri (Williams) Yeadon, Class of 1984 - left Wheatland due to unfair treatment of her mixed-race child

Wade Yeadon, Class of 1981

Michelle (Sorensen) George, Class of 1984

Kelly (Beidleman) Storebo, Class of 1989

Andrew Morrell, Class of 1989

Marlo (Laatsch) Miller, Class of 1987

Cory (Fluharty) Meyer, Cass of 1994

Joe Grotts, Class of 1990

Janelle (Stauffer)Wade, Class of 1990

Teresa Minear, Class of 1991 and parent of current WHS junior

Britnee Bayne, Class of 1984

Paula (Turner) Flynn, Class of 1985

Deborah (Maston) Coffey, Class of 1990

Brenda (Helgelien) Herring, Class of 1987

Andrea (Stacy) Kirk, Class of 1983

Nancy (Portwood) Taylor, Class of 1989

Anthony Morelli, Class of 1984

Beth (Shepard) Hendon, Class of 1987

Jill (Archbold) Surrell, Class of 1994

Wendi Scholten, Class of 1996

Dona (Smith) Winger, Class of 1994

Craig Kittelson, taught in Wheatland from 1970-91 and had two kids graduate from WHS

Erin Grady, Class of 1997

Shane Durland, Class of 1986

Marne Durland

Jenny (Elliott) Wells, Class of 1995

Janice (Greer) Smith, Class of 1992

Will Smith, Class of 1991

Lee Morrison, Class of 1984

Dani Thompson, Class of 1995

Kristen Wagner, Class of 1983

Malina King, Class of 1983

Patrick Moore, Class of 1986

Lacey (Ward) Lynch, Class of 1994

Bill Smith, Class of 1994

Tami (Cordonier) Mascarenas, Class of 1984

Ronda (Blake) Stumbough, Cheyenne East High Class of 1981, parent of current student

Justin Herdt, Class of 1998

Thelma (Lucero) Kopejtka, Class of 1991

Robin (Lucas) Kuss, Class of 1982

Kelly (Reynolds) LaFayette, former resident with five children who attended Wheatland schools; one graduated from Wheatland

Felicia Messimer, Class of 1997

Mike Wilhelm, Class of 1984

Gabe Fernandez, Class of 1985

Gina (Zeppetella) Thorne, Class of 1985

Richie Thorne, Class of 1985

Wesley Wimber, Class of 1984

Deborah (Spaid) Anderson, Class of 1989

Daniel E. Williams, Class of 1987

Tammy (Koster) Wells, Class of 1987

Curtis Cook, Class of 1998

Jenifer Cook, Class of 2001

Kelly Cook, Grandfather of current student

Jeanette Cook, Grandmother of current student

Gregory Slagle, Class of 1983

Jodi Freeman-Fuentes, Class of 1994