CHEYENNE—A bill aimed at keeping the University of Wyoming Laboratory School open has passed narrowly in the Senate Education Committee. This school, located on the UW campus, has been in partnership with Albany County School District 1 since at least 2008.
The bill, called Senate File 126, comes after some conflict between UW and ACSD1. Changes in how the school was run led to a decision by UW trustees to close it at the end of this school year. Bill co-sponsor Sen. Chris Rothfuss explained that what used to be a collaborative relationship deteriorated, ultimately leading to the closure announcement.
For over a century, the UW Lab School has been more than just a school; it has served as a hands-on learning environment for pre-service teachers from the university, allowing them to gain valuable experience in a real classroom setting.
Rothfuss highlighted how the school adapted over time, shifting from its original role as a lab school to functioning more like a standard public school. This transformation contributed to the recent closure decision.
During the committee meeting, many attendees expressed sadness about the school’s potential closure. However, some raised concerns about funding and whether the school could be reorganized in time for the next school year. Tristan Green, CFO for ACSD1, underscored that the bill could demand $2.5 million from the district to keep the school running, raising questions about fairness in funding.
Green argued that if the Lab School serves a state purpose, its funding should come from the state, not just one district.
In response, David Hardesty, assistant superintendent for ACSD1, explained the difficulties they faced while managing resources for the Lab School. They had to make the tough choice to integrate Lab School students into existing district schools.
Mike Smith from UW stated that the university did not rush the closure decision. He argued that the Lab School no longer aligned with the university’s mission, and there are numerous other locations where students can have practical experiences.
Many community members, including former Lab School students, spoke passionately about the school’s impact on their lives and education. For example, Adian O’Connor shared how the Lab School fostered her commitment to service and leadership.
Despite the emotional testimonies, some senators voiced their reluctance to support the bill. Concerns about declining enrollment and insufficient collaboration between the university and the school district were raised as significant obstacles to the Lab School’s future.
Sen. Wendy Schuler mentioned her own positive experiences at the Lab School but cited her worries regarding enrollment levels as a reason to oppose the bill. Similarly, Sen. Jared Olsen pointed out that the reluctance from both the university and the school district to fully support the Lab School complicates its future.
As the discussion continues, community support for the Lab School remains strong, but it’s clear that significant hurdles must be overcome for it to stay open and continue its essential mission in education.
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