School District No. 1 Trustees.   Terms are four years, there are no term limits.  Board members receive no salary or benefits. Candidates must live in the area they represent (two at-large seats cover the entire district) but all the voters make the choice of candidates in each area.  Three seats are available in Area A, one seat in Area B, and one At-large seat. Those elected will join Amy Jenkins, Robin Coughlin, Mary Burman (all in Area A), and Michelle Jones (At-large) whose terms are not up.  Sue Ibarra (Area A) and Joy Surdam (Area B) are incumbents seeking re-election. The other candidates seeking a term on the School Board are Robert Belser, Robert Bryant, Philip L. Brown Janice Marshall and Clarence Unruh.
 
Biographical Information:
 
Robert Belser (Area A):  Myra and I have been in Laramie since my appointment to the UW faculty in 1995 where I serve as Director of Bands.  I have been an educator for 29 years with teaching experiences in small, rural schools in my home state of Missouri through universities, where, in addition to conducting music ensembles, I teach music education and musical arts courses.  I also serve the Laramie community in the summer as Director of the Laramie Municipal Band.  We have a daughter attending Prep, highly involved with (seemingly) all possible offerings of the district and community.  I strongly support our good Albany County schools…
 
Robert H. Bryant (Area A): My involvement in education dates back to the 1960’s.  I taught for fourteen years in Colorado and Wyoming.  I was principal at Dubois High School for three years, and from 1990 to 1996, I served as LHS principal followed by eight years as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum for the Albany County School District. My wife, Carol, is an Associate Professor of Education at UW, and our four children graduated from UW. Following retirement, I became a sales associate at Century 21 Real Estate Center.  Serving on the Board will allow me to continue to contribute to the educational community.
 
Sue Ibarra (Area A):  I was raised in Powell and have made Laramie my home for the past 24
years.   I attended UW, receiving degrees in Sociology and Spanish and taught in the Language Department for several years.   I’ve sat on numerous boards including the SAFE Project, Friends of Albany Co. Library, Children’s Museum, and the Laramie Swim Club.  I worked on the campaigns for the Smoke Free Ordinance and the Community Rec Center, focusing  my efforts specifically on the 8-lane pool.  I am married to Mark Jenkins, a writer, and have two daughters,  Addi and Teal.
 
Philip L. Brown (Area B):  I have lived in Wyoming for many years. I graduated from Burns High School and UW with a degree in Biochemistry. I was involved in band progams, FFA and sports. Currently I work with the ABADRL lab and Primerica Financial Services. I have been involved for several years with the Red Cross and teach financial classes with the UW Outreach School, and served in various leadership positions. I currently have two children in public school, and experience with a child who succeeds in academics and one on an IEP program. I look forward to serving on the school board.

Joy Surdam (Area B): I am passionate about the worth of public education and community service in our democracy. Laramie has been our home for 40 years; our three children graduated from LHS. I’ve been an educator since 1965, teaching at the junior high, community college and university levels.  I coordinate student services and the adult basic education program at the LCCC Albany County Campus where I also have taught education, psychology and Spanish classes.  I’ve served on our school board for the past two years and look forward to representing you and our youth in the future.

Janice Marshall (At-large):  I have lived in Laramie for nearly 30 years. I am a UW graduate. I am the proud Mom of four children. Three of them are LHS graduates. My youngest daughter is a sophomore at LHS. In the community I am active as a Hospice Volunteer, hold an office in PEO Chapter AX and serve as VP for the LHS PTSA. I have been involved in our schools in many volunteer capacities. I believe my involvement qualifies me to be an informed school board member. Our children are our future and I care very deeply about them.

Clarence Unruh (At-large):  For a period of over 30 years I worked in the public schools of Albany County as a high school mathematics teacher and coach, assistant junior high school principal, junior high school principal, Director of Federal Programs and Director of Purchasing.  I also served one four-year term as a member of the Albany County School District Board of Education.  I have a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics and Master’s and Doctorate degrees from the University of Wyoming.
 
Are you satisfied with state and local policies with regard to your authority (or lack of authority) over the curriculum, activities, and testing procedures for home-schooled children?  Explain.
 

Robert Belser (Area A):  In visiting with several home schooling parents and studying the policies of the district, ACSD#1 has been helpful and supportive for those choosing home schooling.  These parents/guardians are responsible - just as are the public schools - of curricula meeting the educational standards set by the state and are reviewed by the board annually, and the home schooling parents I know also are doing an admirable job of involving their children in a wide range of activities…

 
Robert H. Bryant (Area A):  I am relatively satisfied with the authority over home school programs granted to the Board of Education.  Although we require parents to submit an annual curriculum plan, we could strengthen this authority by adding requirements for measurements of student learning such as the state assessment or other appropriate assessments. This could inform the district and parents about their children’s progress toward the standards of learning expected of all students.
 
Sue Ibarra (Area A): Homeschool parents are very happy with the autonomy they are given
through the state legislature in regards to curricula and testing.  At any time, a child can opt to participate in district testing.  Our district has recently established a Family Learning Center for our homeschool families as a resource for additional help in math, science and writing.  I am pleased with this center and what it offers without compromising the independence homeschool families embrace.
 
Philip L. Brown (Area B):  One of many reasons parents choose to home school their children is to have more control over their education. The school district insures they learn the basics by approving the curriculum every year. The state monitors yearly progress with their testing schedule. A major way the district could become involved is to allow home schooled children access to science, vocational and sports programs that are more difficult to address otherwise.

Joy Surdam (Area B): Home-schools must meet state requirements; however, a child’s learning will vary depending upon instructional quality and time-on-task. Our district has initiated a Family Learning Center which provides educational services for home-schooled students and parents; students can participate in onsite district classes and extra-curricular activities. Improved coordination between school districts and home-schoolers will benefit students of all ages.

Janice Marshall (At-large): I am satisfied with the current policies regarding home-schooled children. The families I have known who home-school have been highly committed and diligent about giving their children a quality education. All the law requires is that families register with the district and indicate the type of curriculum they will use. I am satisfied with testing being available but not required. I am supportive of home-schooled children participating in extra-curricular activities.

 
Clarence Unruh (At-large):  Apparently the policies are viable.  If changes in policies are necessary it would be relatively easy to make adjustments.
 
What do you see as the pros and cons of supporting rural schools in Albany County? 
 

Robert Belser (Area A):  The pros are that we can and do have good neighborhood and schools of choice within the district including our rural schools whose "neighborhood" can be quite large and sparsely populated.  Having taught public school in consolidated county districts in Missouri, I saw, and participated in as a teacher, the value of close regional educational opportunities at the elementary level.  Our rural schools accomplish that as well as providing a community "hub" for those areas…

 
Robert H. Bryant (Area A): I believe that rural schools are a strength for parents and students and support the rural character of Albany County’s geography and population.  Students are able to live with their families and attend school within a reasonable distance from home. The personal attention they receive and the resources provided ensure that remoteness leaves no child behind.  Our legislature supports rural education with necessary funding so it does not adversely affect other schools or students.
 
Sue Ibarra (Area A):  Rural schools have always been a part of Wyoming’s culture, allowing the
small communities to remain viable.  Smaller class sizes lend to activities and individual attention that may not always be feasible in larger classes.  I appreciate the positive atmosphere, great education, and close relationships created in these schools.   Unfortunately, the building maintenance, the salaries of teachers, and bussing issues can be costly.  I believe the benefits of these schools make the expenses worthwhile. 
 

Philip L. Brown (Area B): Rural schools are a necessity to allow children to be educated close to home. The state adequately funds these schools and their unique demands. Smaller class sizes ensure adequate education. One con is the district not adequately compensating the parents who are forced to set up the schools at their own expense. Another is less help for academically challenged students. More interaction with larger schools should be encouraged as long as the weather allows it.

Joy Surdam (Area B): Our district consists of 4400 square miles which includes six rural schools with a total of 92 students. Small classrooms increase student involvement in more learning activities, while fostering the development of social skills. Rural children deserve the very best educational practices and should have the same opportunities as students in urban settings. It may cost more per pupil, but neighborhood schools build community which helps ensure the continuation of our democratic values.
 

Janice Marshall (At-large):  Rural schools provide an extremely valuable educational opportunity in Albany County. It is important for children to be able to attend schools in their community. Often the rural schools are the hub of the community. Rural school buildings and facilities are a big asset to their communities. The only con I see is the cost of funding the rural schools. However, Wyoming is financially committed to rural schools.

 

Clarence Unruh (At-large):  The rural public schools of Albany County need as much or more support than any other public schools in Albany County.  The major emphasis for students should be on language arts, mathematics, science, and computer science.