PINEDALE – Documents released by Sublette County School District No. 1 (SCSD1) administration showed a 3 percent increase from 1,064 students on Sept. 1, 2021, to 1,096 on Sept. 1, 2022.

The figures were published before the 10-day “drop” period and are only preliminary. Superintendent Shannon Harris told the SCSD1 Board of Trustees at its Sept. 8 meeting that each school had processed most drop-add paperwork. As a result, the statistics in the Sept. 1 report are “close to where we will end up,” she said.

Enrollment at Pinedale Elementary School rose from 459 at the beginning of the 2021 school year to 473 this year. The number of students at Pinedale High School grew from 320 in 2021 to 339 in 2022.

Bondurant Elementary added one student, and numbers at Skyline Academy remained steady.

The only school posting a loss was Pinedale Middle School, with a decrease of two students. Sixth- and seventh-grade enrollment increased, however, while eighth grade recorded a loss, accounting for the overall decrease.

Skyline Academy uniforms

Skyline Academy students submitted a petition to the board of trustees requesting the district drop the uniform requirement at their school. Pupils at Skyline traditionally wore purple polo shirts bearing the school’s logo.

Skyline students attended the Sept. 8 meeting and asked the board to align their dress code with the regulations at Pinedale High School.

The uniforms unfairly singled Skyline students out from other scholars in the district, and the shirts were frequently associated with negative stereotypes about Skyline, a student said. The student listed the benefits offered at Skyline, from smaller classroom sizes, the ability to take college-level courses and graduate early and follow an individualized curriculum.

Board chairman Jamison Ziegler thanked the students for showing up at the meeting and having the courage to advocate for themselves and their school. Trustees passed a unanimous motion eliminating uniforms at Skyline, with the only requirement remaining that students follow the dress code at Pinedale High School, effective immediately.

Additional district news

Trustees voted in favor of a motion to permit school administrators to draft a memorandum of understanding with Four Pines Physical Therapy to “be present at home (athletic) contests” and “provide assistance to athletes and coaches.”

Amy Hughes of Four Pines told trustees that physical therapists, in consultation with coaches and parents, could identify sports injuries sooner, keep athletes healthy and “get them back into play.” Four Pines would provide services free of charge, she added.

If students required additional physical therapy, Four Pines employee would “give guidance” and refer the family to a physical therapist of their choice, Hughes told the board.

Trustee Rachel Weksler asked about liability. Four Pines proposed offering their services as volunteers and students were not obligated to use their services; therefore, liability was not an issue, said SCSD1 attorney Doug Mason.

Trustee Stacy Illoway said athletic trainers in other districts provided “really great” care to injured athletes, and was “excited” by the opportunity for Four Pines to step into that role.