On Wednesday, November 11, the Sheridan County School District #3 (SCSD#3) Board of Trustees met for its regular session. The five incumbent members—Ashlea Bassett, Ernie Miller, Kris Malli, Sam Olson and Gina Hackett—were unanimously re‑elected and were sworn in by district attorney Greg Rohrer.

Superintendent’s Funding Proposal

In her opening report, Superintendent Jennifer Strong highlighted a potential “recalibration” of the district’s financing. She explained that state legislators are considering a bill that would return the district to an older funding model, more akin to a block grant. Under that model, local districts would retain greater discretion over how funds are allocated to employees and programs.

Strong noted that the bill also proposes a baseline allocation for each school: $100,000 for every high school and $50,000 for every middle school. Additional funding would be prorated based on each school’s enrollment numbers, using an “ADM” (average daily membership) calculation. If the legislation passes, SCSD#3 could see its annual allocation rise from roughly $106,000 to $164,000, a substantial increase that would support the district’s ongoing “ecolaw” initiatives.

Local Control and Community Impact

The trustees expressed strong support for any measure that restores local control over budgeting decisions. They emphasized that a block‑grant approach would allow the district to respond more quickly to the specific needs of Sheridan families, rather than being constrained by a one‑size‑fits‑all state formula.

Board member Ashlea Bassett remarked that “our community knows best how to serve our children,” echoing a broader sentiment among parents that local decision‑making aligns with traditional family values and the constitutional principle of limited government.

Next Steps

The trustees agreed to monitor the bill’s progress through the upcoming spring legislative session. They plan to work with the newly formed education committee to evaluate the details of the proposed funding structure and to prepare a district‑wide response should the legislation be enacted.

In closing, the board thanked Greg Rohrer for administering the oath and reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the educational success of every student in SCSD#3.

Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.