“We’ve been dealt a terrible hand,” Weaver told the rest of the board. “They were complete morons, as far as I am concerned.””

Doug Weaver, PCSD No. 1 school board

PLATTE COUNTY – Platte County School District No. 1 board members Shawn Hoffman, Clay Becker, Doug Weaver, Amanda Fox, chairwoman Lu Lay and superintendent John Weigel discussed several policy changes coming to the district, including one that stipulates the baseline of coaches the district will maintain and the repeal gun-free zones law at its most recent board meeting on June 16. Board member Diane Haroldson and Chase Irvine were not at the board meeting. Haroldson was excused and out of town, however, it was not noted why Irvine was not in attendance.

One of the major policy changes coming is Wyoming House Bill 172, also known as the Repeal Gun Free Zone act, which is set to go into effect on July 1. Board members remain fairly divided on whether or not the district should or should not implement an additional policy pertaining to district staff members.

Chairman Lay told board members they essentially have two options – one would be to create a policy stipulating the district’s requirements for a staff member to be able to carry a concealed firearm on campus or two, do nothing and let the policy take effect as is from legislation.

The actionable agenda item was to approve, or not approve, the development of a policy or rule for the required concealed weapons training in accordance with Wyoming House Bill 172. However, the soonest the board would be able to take action on this would be at the September meeting due to public input and comment period.

Fox said she has been asked by a number of residents about why the district would consider implementing a policy beyond the law to develop and require an undetermined amount of hours in training for staff members, but not for the public. To which the chairwoman said that’s what the board needs to decide.

“I don’t see a need to have this in the first place,” Becker said. “There’s more to it than just carrying a gun.”

He also said staff members and teachers will need to understand the gravity and responsibility in being able to carry concealed on the school campus. Ultimately, Becker said the district needs to ensure the protection of children, and he would prefer to see additional requirements as it relates to safety, training and other community concerns.

Becker also called the legislation “irresponsible.”

Echoing his sentiments, Weaver also disagreed with the new legislative policy passed down to districts.

“We’ve been dealt a terrible hand,” Weaver told the rest of the board. “They were complete morons, as far as I am concerned.”

Weaver said he doesn’t have a problem with concealed carry, his problem is concealed carry in any capacity at the schools.

“But, we’ve been dealt that hand and now we have to figure out a way to keep everyone safe,” Weaver said. He recalled a previous public comment from a resident who is a former law enforcement officer and military servicemember, who said the concern of danger is when concealed carriers don’t practice drawing or knowing how to draw. Weaver said that is one of his many concerns as it relates to identifying what kind of training the district should consider.

Lay said she sees both sides and is struggling with it herself. She also stated she has been paying attention to other school districts around the state, including neighboring counties, in which the same conversations occurring in Platte County are the same in other districts.

The board decided to table the on-going discussion relating to district policy EJ/E: “sex designated facilities” because of a concern the policy could be abused on overnight trips with children asking for private rooms, rather than bunking with children their same sex and age group.

Currently, the proposed policy defines gender and staffing roles as defined in Wyoming Statute 21-3-137, which passed earlier this year and takes effect on July 1. This bill requires public school children to use restrooms that align with their sex at birth; requiring reasonable accommodations; providing exceptions; providing penalties; providing definitions and providing for an effective date. District board of trustees are required to adopt this new policy and provide for disciplinary action for persons who refuse to comply with the act; it also allows parents to see legal action against districts failing to comply.

This bill would require students to use restrooms based on their designated sex at birth, as well as any other changing facilities, sleeping quarters or locker rooms.
Ultimately, the board decided more needed to be clarified as it relates to “sleeping quarters.”

The district discussed other policies, like professional staff salary schedules, staffing guidelines for extra duty activities and a policy defining what a school volunteer is. 

The next regularly scheduled school board meeting at the central boardroom in Wheatland is scheduled for July 14, starting at 6 p.m. For more information about the new policies and more, visit the district website at www.platte1.org.