(LETTERS) Wyoming education is now political ideology battleground; Freedom Caucus destroying public education; Nordic Lodge issues a joke

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Dear Casper,

I want to wholeheartedly endorse the comments and views of Alexis Worthen in her excellent letter to the editor published on Jan. 21, 2025.

She sums up the challenges facing education in Wyoming from far right Republican extremists very succinctly and accurately. As a lifelong Wyomingite I’ve seen our public education system go from a well balanced program that encouraged thinking for oneself — which I was able to participate in — to a battleground of political ideology that seeks to limit the expression of alternative views and true sharing of thoughts in deference to extremely narrow interpretations of what is acceptable. All while diverting public funds to finance what are basically private schools based on religious precepts.

Joe Rogers
Casper

Dear Casper,

I was born and raised in Wyoming and am a 20-year educator in Natrona County. My heart is breaking watching the Freedom Caucus work to destroy the public education system here in Wyoming. All because around 9% of Wyomingites voted in the primary, when the majority of Freedom Caucus members were elected. That is not a majority or a mandate for what they are trying to do to public schools.

Wyoming has the best public schools west of the Mississippi River and remains in the top five nationally. This is because the Wyoming Legislature has a long history of Republicans and Democrats alike valuing public education and wanting to ensure that every student was provided with an equitable opportunity to learn and thrive.

As educators, we always look for ways to make education meaningful and impactful for our students. We must be able to adapt with our students. I believe there are always ways we can improve education here in Wyoming, but I never imagined I would be watching the Freedom Caucus work to destroy our public education system.

The Freedom Caucus is trying to turn our education system into one like Arizona; however, the only difference is that Arizona is ranked 40th in public education while Wyoming is consistently in the top five. If the Freedom Caucus wants to fix education, they can advocate for properly funding the public education system in Wyoming instead of trying to emulate a failing system.

Lastly, we have a State Superintendent of Public Instruction advocating for private and religious schools. We must wake up and elect people who want to make Wyoming better. Not the people trying to bring issues from other states to Wyoming or trying to privatize education.

Educators are genuinely happiest when working with students and avoid politics, but we will stand up and fight back when politicians want to make education political.

Dirk Andrews
Casper

Dear Casper,

I cannot believe what I just read about the fire suppression system at the Nordic Ski Trail Lodge. Everybody involved or should have been involved come out looking like clowns!

Jeff Haley
Casper

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