Principal David Cazier from Swift Creek High School, the alternative school for Lincoln County School District #2, stepped into the SVI Radio studio on Monday, May 11 to discuss funding impacts to alternative schools due to the recalibration bill passed in the 2026 Wyoming State Legislative Session.

An additional interview with LCSD#2 Superintendent Matt Erickson and Director of Finance JC Inskeep by clicking here. An additional interview with Cokeville High School Principal Kenneth Dietz is schedule for Thursday, May 14. SVI is also contacting local lawmakers to get their perspective on school funding and recalibration. Those interview dates will be announced as they are finalized.

A press release from the Wyoming High School Activities Association, specifically regarding funding for activities, can be found by clicking here.

(0:00) It’s 8.35 this morning on SVI Radio, Swift 98 and The Spur, (0:05) heading into the guest interview segment for the day today. (0:08) And here in his principal capacity today (0:11) is Mr. David Kazare. (0:14) Hey, Dave, how’s it going today? (0:15) Well, good morning, Duke.

(0:16) It’s going well. (0:17) How about for you? (0:17) I know that you are technically Principal Kazare, (0:20) but everybody just calls you Dave. (0:22) That’s true.

(0:23) Does anyone actually call you Principal Kazare very often? (0:26) Nope, nope, nope, nope, they don’t. (0:27) I’m gonna use that a lot today then, (0:29) to make sure it’s right. (0:32) We’ve had multiple conversations (0:34) regarding the recalibration bill.

(0:35) Wyoming High School Activity Association (0:37) put out their press release over the weekend (0:39) that a lot of people have seen. (0:41) We’ve had Superintendent Erickson on the air (0:43) a couple of times to talk about this. (0:46) You’re here to talk specifically (0:48) on the alternative school funding, (0:51) of course, with Swift Creek High School.

(0:53) So let’s give us some background (0:54) and maybe if you could summarize (0:58) what an alternative school is and does (1:00) within a district like District Two. (1:02) Yeah, well, first of all, thanks, Duke, (1:03) for letting me come on and discuss something (1:05) that’s pretty important that’s going on right now. (1:07) But yeah, to answer your question, (1:09) alternative high schools, (1:10) they offer the exact same diploma (1:12) that a traditional high school does.

(1:14) So it’s not like a GED or a HiSET certification, (1:18) but it’s actually a legitimate certification of diploma (1:23) recognized by colleges and universities across the country. (1:27) But essentially what it is, (1:28) is an alternative high school is, (1:29) it only requires the bare minimum (1:31) that the state of Wyoming requires to get a diploma. (1:34) So students who are behind in school (1:36) or who need a smaller setting, (1:38) whether because of different challenges they’re facing, (1:41) whether that’s anxiety or addictions (1:43) or those kind of things, (1:45) there’s a place for them to come (1:46) to be able to get their education (1:48) and to still get that diploma (1:49) and then move on into the next realm of their life.

(1:52) So really, alternative schools are set up (1:54) for those type of students (1:55) and they’ve been fairly popular for the past 20 years (1:59) is when they started really gaining more attention, (2:01) I think, here in Wyoming. (2:03) Swift Creek High School, for example, (2:04) coming around in 2001. (2:06) But really, alternative high school (2:07) is a great service to the community (2:09) because a lot of folks who otherwise (2:11) would not get a diploma for high school (2:13) are getting one because of services (2:16) that alternative high schools offer.

(2:17) On an average year, what are you seeing (2:19) as the number of graduates (2:22) from Swift Creek High School typically? (2:24) So we’ve been growing quite a bit. (2:26) Fun fact, we’re the only school (2:28) in Lincoln County School District number two (2:30) to grow over the past three years. (2:31) So our enrollment is growing.

(2:34) But to answer your question about the graduates, (2:37) so right now, this year will be our largest ever. (2:40) We’re estimated to have 38 graduates this year. (2:43) We’ve been averaging for the past five years (2:45) about 30 graduates.

(2:48) So yeah, that’s Swift Creek. (2:49) There’s 22 alternative high schools across Wyoming (2:52) and varying in size, of course, (2:54) anywhere from our school that has about 82 students (2:57) to over at Triumph High School in Cheyenne (3:01) has 182. (3:03) So it just kind of depends on the area, of course.

(3:06) But yeah, what a great service it offers to the community (3:10) and a lot of lives have been changed (3:12) because of what’s offered there. (3:14) Well, of course, you have New Frontier in Kemmer, (3:16) which is the Lincoln District one alternative high school. (3:20) So when you look at an alternative school setting (3:22) like yours, prior to recalibration, (3:25) what was the funding model? (3:27) Was it very similar to the traditional high schools? (3:29) So no, and thank goodness, right? (3:31) Because if it was, then the funding (3:34) would be really, really low if it was the same.

(3:37) And unfortunately, that’s what this new legislation (3:38) is proposing. (3:41) But yeah, before, with the block grant, (3:44) the local decisions were kept up to the school board (3:46) and to local decisions. (3:48) So that essentially, for Lincoln too, for example, (3:50) it makes Swift Creek possible.

(3:53) Our superintendent and our school board (3:55) has been very generous to helping our low income students (3:58) and our at-risk students. (3:59) And so they threw a substantial amount of money (4:02) to Swift Creek High School to help keep it funded. (4:05) But essentially, the state model calls for seven students (4:08) to one FTE or someone that could educate these students.

(4:13) And so seven to one. (4:14) With this new legislation that was just passed, (4:17) unfortunately, what that does is if you have (4:18) over 50 students, then you would qualify (4:21) as a traditional high school, in a sense, (4:23) as far as funding goes. (4:24) So instead of going to seven to one, (4:25) now it would be 25 students to one teacher (4:28) is what that funding model calls for.

(4:30) So essentially, it just obliterates the whole model. (4:33) So when you talk Swift Creek High School, (4:36) what does that mean long term? (4:38) I mean, is that potentially shutting the doors down then? (4:41) Is that what one of the options are? (4:43) I mean, luckily, I don’t believe that that would be (4:45) ever the intention here in Lincoln, too. (4:48) I know that there’s a lot of support to keep it going.

(4:51) However, I mean, realistic matters of it are, (4:54) it’s not sustainable. (4:55) Now next year, because we have a wonderful business manager (4:58) and a great leadership, they are making things work (5:00) for next year. (5:02) And our hope is that perhaps we can get (5:03) some legislation changed so that we don’t have (5:06) to close doors or do things like that.

(5:07) But it is a realistic option across the state. (5:09) As I’ve talked to a number of principals (5:11) of alternative schools, that is a conversation we’re having (5:14) is what’s gonna, if this doesn’t get changed, (5:16) to be frank, there could be some huge implications (5:21) that could be detrimental to these type of students. (5:24) So you mentioned students, 50 students and more.

(5:28) So a smaller alternative school, maybe like New Frontier, (5:31) maybe not as impacted as much then? (5:34) Correct. (5:34) Would that be correct? (5:35) Yeah, so yeah, they’re a little bit easier off. (5:37) They’re kind of classified in a different category.

(5:39) So the way the legislation was written, (5:41) and I don’t know if this was an oversight (5:42) or if this was intentional, but yeah, (5:46) if you’re from 45 to 50 students, actually, (5:49) it’s kind of optimal, because then you would get (5:50) the nine FTEs, so basically get nine teachers (5:54) for those students, which cuts your ratio down quite a bit. (5:58) Whereas over that, if you’re kind of in a situation (6:01) like my school, Swift Creek High School, (6:04) unfortunately it’s gonna make, you’d have to cut down (6:06) about half your staff, I mean, to put it frank, (6:08) because you won’t be able to fund them. (6:09) Or at least it wouldn’t be funded by the state.

(6:11) And in this silo, the model that they’re pushing out now. (6:15) So, but you know, I really appreciate, (6:18) you know, our local legislators, to give a shout out (6:21) to Representative Erickson and Senator Dockstader. (6:24) They both have really put up a big fight about this.

(6:26) They’ve listened to our concerns, (6:28) and you know, Senator Dockstader, for example, (6:30) was the only senator to not vote (6:32) in favor of this legislation. (6:34) And I appreciate that, because I think he listened (6:37) to our concerns, and he knows this would hurt (6:39) our demographic of students. (6:42) And you know, and to put it bluntly, Duke, (6:44) these students, in my opinion, (6:47) they need education the most.

(6:49) A lot of them have, you know, rough home lives. (6:51) A lot of them come from situations (6:52) where they can’t control that. (6:54) Where they’re in situations that they just need (6:57) a different type of learning.

(6:58) And I have just been so grateful to be a part (7:00) of that journey, and to see how that education works. (7:03) We’re more hands-on, we don’t believe in homework. (7:05) We believe in getting them ready for trades, (7:08) because that’s what most of our students (7:09) that come to us are interested in.

(7:10) So we focus a lot of that, a lot of our effort on that. (7:13) And you know, it’s a great model, a great thing. (7:16) And unfortunately, with this funding, (7:19) that’s being, this legislation, (7:20) it does definitely impact our schools.

(7:23) Principal David Kazair, Smooth Creek High School, (7:25) and LCSD number two in studio this morning (7:27) on the Weekday Wakeup. (7:28) So there’s been a lot of discussion (7:30) to talk about activities, and the impacts there. (7:33) So this is in the exact same thing, (7:35) it sounds like, with alternative schools.

(7:37) So a lot of districts are dipping into savings, (7:40) including District Two, to get through (7:43) the 26-27 school year, and it sounds like (7:45) that’s going to be the case for Smooth Creek High as well, (7:48) at least through 26-27, right? (7:50) Correct, yeah, yeah. (7:51) So luckily, the school board’s been generous (7:53) to allow that to happen. (7:55) And so next year, we’re kind of operating (7:57) a status quo, so to speak, for the next year.

(8:00) I mean, obviously, we’re always trying (8:01) to be fiscally responsible, and look at things (8:04) that we can change to be a little bit better (8:05) in that regard, and so that’s obviously our goal, (8:08) but yes, it is. (8:10) Next year, we’re gonna kind of, I guess, (8:13) go back to a little bit of the savings, (8:15) and then with the hope that things can change (8:19) so that the following year, things can go back (8:20) to how they have been. (8:21) All right, so let’s say things don’t change, (8:23) and the new funding model stays in place as is, (8:26) what would Smooth Creek High School look like (8:28) in 27-28 school year? (8:30) You know, that’s a great question.

(8:32) Obviously, you have to kind of play the numbers game. (8:34) If 50 students is what the state’s calling for (8:37) to be able to fund, then we probably would have (8:39) to cap our numbers, and we’d have to, you know, (8:42) right now, we do have kind of a process (8:45) where people apply to come to Smooth Creek High School, (8:47) students can apply, and so we still admit, (8:50) you know, case by case, and we work (8:51) with the traditional high schools to ensure (8:53) that we find the best fit for those students, (8:56) but right now, we’re pretty much, you know what, (8:58) if they need it, bring them in. (8:59) However, you know, if we can’t, obviously, (9:01) to keep our funding to a point where we can be safe (9:04) and be able to afford that, we’re gonna have to cap it (9:07) and say, unfortunately, we won’t be able (9:08) to educate those children here, (9:10) then we’d probably go to the traditional high school.

(9:12) Principal David Kazairis, Smooth Creek High School (9:13) on the weekday wake-up. (9:14) All right, anything else we missed (9:16) that you’d like to mention? (9:16) You know, I don’t think so, Duke, (9:17) other than thank you again for this opportunity (9:19) to kind of get the word out there, (9:20) and I would just encourage people that, you know, (9:22) if you ever have questions (9:23) about how alternative schools work, (9:25) I’d love to visit with you about that. (9:27) You’re welcome to reach out to us (9:28) on our website at schs.lcst2.org, (9:31) and also to, you know, encourage our lawmakers (9:34) to make some good choices there to help our students.

(9:36) It’s all part of the weekday wake-up this morning (9:38) on SVI Radio, Swift 98 and The Spur.