• District currently undergoing MCER study triggered by capacity.

Star Valley’s student population continues to grow along with the communities in the area. Recent discussions have taken place between Lincoln County School District No. 2 (LCSD No. 2) and residents regarding ways to improve the student experience. One of those topics has centered on a change to the format of area schools from the current pod system to a K-6 configuration. However, the district is now in the early stages of what is called a Most Cost-Effective Remedy (MCER) study which is initiated by the state. Superintendent Matt Erickson and Board Chairman Darnell Simpson recently spoke about the topic as part of the Weekday Wake-up radio program.

“A MCER study in the state of Wyoming can be triggered by one of two things,” Superintendent Erickson said. “A condition score of a building or a school and capacity. In other words, student enrollment. We have had one triggered for capacity. Specifically for our lower valley elementary schools. So this process is led by the state facilities department and then it would go to the state commission and ultimately to the legislature for funding.”

According to Erickson, district officials anticipate the study taking approximately one year to complete. The last such study took place in 2018.

“The last time was in 2018 and as a result we got an addition at both Afton and Osmond Elementary schools,” Erickson continued. “There have been some nuances that have changed since that interaction in 2018. The state has a lot more say than the local school board. That is a reverse of that situation in 2018.”

The process is not a simple one.

“It’s very complicated so to sum it up, it is difficult,” Erickson added. “In-house we have a seat at the table. We are involved in all the meetings with the state. We get to present different options or things for the process to look at. One of those things is K-6. The MCER study will look at what is the best grade configuration option for our valley and specially K-6. Everything from transportation to square footage, education space, gyms, libraries; all of those things.”

• Working With Alpine 

A workshop took place in recent weeks between Alpine residents and LCSD No. 2.

“The board met with representatives from Alpine and they presented some of the pros of switching back to a K-6,” stated Darnell Simpson. “We’ve had other meetings about staying with the current configurations in the pod system. There are great arguments for both. Ultimately after that work session through a back and forth discussion, the concern that was brought up was we didn’t want to make any drastic changes while the MCER study was taking place. So at this point there was a motion and it was voted on to halt and be patient and see what the study outcome was before we proceed.”

Simpson added that there are pros and cons to each model.

“Currently one of the biggest pros is having the grade configurations and having Professional Learning Communities [PLC] where teachers collaborate together and help facilitate the learning of the kids,” he replied. “I just don’t think you can do that in a K-6 configuration. Some of the benefits of K-6 is it does provide more of a community based school and comradderie and you have the same teachers throughout the process. There are so many different aspects that I don’t know that there is a perfect fit for everyone.”

• The Next Year of Study

The process of what comes next depends on the completion of the MCER study.

“After the study is completed, which is going to look at many different options, the consultants will have probably a dozen options,” Erickson said. “Even things like K-5 or building another middle school. Or adding more busses to our fleet. It’s the most cost-effective remedy. It’s not convenience. It’s what is most economical and serves the students’ needs best.”

More community interaction can be expected once the study has compiled their information.

“After that study would be that we would go to all communities and do town hall meetings and do some surveys,” Erickson said. “We want to hear from all of the communities. We come up with a better solution when more people have a seat at the table.”

“We are trying to do the best we can for all the kids in the communities of Star Valley,” Simpson concluded.