Natrona County School District Number 1

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Natrona County School District No. 1 is a public school district in Natrona County, Wyoming, based in Casper. It serves the whole county and the towns of Alcova, Edgerton, Evansville, Midwest, Mills, Powder River, and Willow Creek.

The district is governed by an elected board of trustees. Each member serves a four-year term, and elections are held every two years in November. The board hires a superintendent to manage daily operations. Mike Jennings became superintendent in July 2020 and plans to retire in July 2024. Angela Hensley, the associate superintendent, was chosen to become the next superintendent starting July 2024.

Inside the district, there is a shared governance model called the Compact. It was created in 2001 after tense contract talks. The Compact includes the board, the Natrona County Education Association (NCEA), the Natrona County Association of Education Support Staff (NCAESS), and the Service Employees Independent Organization (SEIO). Major decisions about students, contracts, salaries, and benefits are made by consensus.

The Safe Schools Suspension Lab provides a supervised alternative when students must be removed from the regular classroom.

In 2009 the district approved an anti-bullying policy that bans cyberbullying and sexting.

Wyoming funds school facilities through the School Facilities Commission, largely from coal royalties. The SFC funds upgrades, replacements, and new buildings as needed.

The district reorganized its secondary education to include grades six through twelve. Starting in 2014, work began to expand Natrona County High School (NCHS) and Kelly Walsh High School (KWHS). At NCHS, plans include restoring the historic building and adding new spaces. KWHS is being rebuilt on the same site to accommodate more students.

The district wants to prepare students for the 21st century and has noted concerns about high drop-out and disengagement rates. The figures about these issues were noted as of October 1, 2009.