On December 3, the Town of Alpine convened a work session dedicated to the development of the Alpine Charter School. The meeting included participation from the entire town council, alongside Meredith Leonard of the school’s foundation, Dave Jenkins, chair of the Alpine Charter School Board, and Jeff Daugherty, a former board member now serving as a consultant.

A key focus of the discussion was the necessity for community support. Jenkins articulated the importance of local backing, stating, “We’re going to need the town and community’s support,” as the board outlined its vision for a state-of-the-art educational facility designed to accommodate up to 300 students. Initial plans indicate a potential opening with 90 students, with the option for future expansion based on local demand.

The board is actively working to strengthen its governance structure, with a particular emphasis on including a member who possesses a K-12 education background. An application for 501(c) (3) status has been submitted, although an update on its progress is still awaited. Jenkins highlighted the need to address financial risks associated with the project, remarking, “If it fails, all hands will need to help out.”

Discussions regarding the curriculum underscored the board’s commitment to providing a robust educational experience that aligns with Wyoming Education Department standards. Plans for a field trip to an established charter school in Utah are underway, offering parents an opportunity to observe the curriculum in practice.
The selection of a site for the school remains unresolved, complicating the design process, which is anticipated to take three to six months following the acquisition of land. Mayor Green characterized this decision as “probably the biggest decision for the Town of Alpine in the last 30 years.”

Looking to the future, the school board aims to present an updated timeline and essential documentation at the next work session in February. The Town Council has requested that the board provide its bylaws, demonstrate demand for the school, and outline a financial budget.

Community members raised concerns regarding transpor- tation logistics, funding, curriculum flexibility, and the board member selection process.

As the board navigates these challenges, collaboration between the town and school board will be vital in bringing this long-anticipated educational initiative to fruition.

The full work session is available for viewing on the Town of Alpine’s YouTube channel.