How Parents Can Engage Wisely (Not Reactively)
Petition Reminder
If you have not already signed the petition you can do so below
So what is next…
The community has shown that it is ready to pursue change. This single action is part of a larger effort to return power over the education system to the communities it serves.
We do not yet know what will come of the petition or whether the district will reverse its decision to close Woods and Bar Nunn schools. What we do know is that there are steps we can take together to reduce the chances of something like this happening again.
Here is what we are asking for:
Get engaged
If you have a student in Natrona County, no matter which school they attend, you have a responsibility to be informed and engaged in their education. That doesn’t mean chasing every rumor or assuming every frustration is an injustice. It means using discernment, seeking real information, and thinking deeply about what you want education in this community to be.
Start by taking ownership of your child’s experience in the system:
Read the policies and communications that come from the district and your school.
Follow board agendas and minutes.
Pay attention to how decisions are being made and who is making them.
Too many of us are operating in isolation. Information is not being shared among parents. What you think is a personal, isolated problem may actually be part of a larger pattern that is going unaddressed because everyone believes they are alone and at the same time, not every inconvenience is proof of corruption or a reason for outrage. We need less gossip and more grounded, thoughtful engagement.
Ask thoughtful questions. Listen for clear, direct answers. If something doesn’t feel right, slow down and look for the facts before reacting. Talk with other parents you trust, compare notes, and look for patterns rather than piling onto drama.
Most importantly, spend time reflecting on a bigger question: What is the purpose of an education system, and is ours living up to that? Then consider how you can help shape education in Natrona County by voting, showing up to meetings, supporting solutions-oriented leaders, and modeling the kind of steady, wise engagement our kids deserve to see from the adults in their lives.
Talk to school board members
Board members need to know that the community supports them in making decisions that truly come from the people they represent. Decisions should not be driven solely from within the district office. It may be better to think of decision-making not as a simple top-down or bottom-up flow, but as a shared process. We look to our educators and district leaders for expertise—to help refine, clarify, and implement what the community wants for its children. At the same time, those leaders should also feel empowered to bring new ideas and direction to the community. Healthy systems are built on this kind of collaborative exchange.
We have linked a page with all current school board members phone numbers and emails you can use this to start teh conversation
Run for School Board or Back Someone Who Will
If you feel the direction of the district does not reflect your values or the needs of students, consider running for the school board or actively supporting someone who shares your views.