Comparing Midwest to similar schools

by Wyoma Groenenberg
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 6:20 PM MDT

Concerned parents compared Midwest School's staffing to other similar sized schools across Wyoming.

"At Arvada-Clearmont and Kaycee, they're actually dealing with smaller numbers than we are here at Midwest," yet they have more employees on staff, said Darla Lindsay, a parent who's also involved at the school as a substitute and in other areas.

After presenting that information at an NCSD Board of Trustees meeting, the cabinet members are researching it, Lindsay said.

According to Paula Chapman, a parent and also office manager at the school, Kaycee is in a Johnson County school district and recently had a new school built.

"Kaycee doesn't have the issues that we have with the 'mother ship' (the school district) like we do," Chapman said.

She noted that Kaycee's school district is operated out of Buffalo, while Midwest's is at Casper.

The idea of starting their own school district has been mentioned by community members, especially with all of the money brought in by the oil industry right in their backyards.

Saying that NCSD is one of the top in the state, "leaders in so many aspects," Chapman wonders why the district isn't taking a lead in this matter.

"If we're the only pre-K through 12 school in the district and find out others in the state and have more staff and less numbers, then maybe we should match that," she said.

"Maybe Natrona County should do the same for Midwest," Chapman said, adding that someone said, "Why can't we do better?"

A Midwest employee who asked not to be identified said, "There is a state funding model for K-12 schools. I believe it's not being followed for Midwest and I don't know why."

The employee, noting that the NCSD is working on a new funding model for Midwest, asked, "My question to them is: doesn't one already exist?"

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