Pinedale School Enrollment Jumps
Most Wyoming schools are seeing declining enrollment
by Rob Shaul

Sublette County's growing population is evidenced by increased enrollments in the Pinedale schools in one case up by 80 percent. Figures released at last Thursday's school board meeting show more students this September attending classes in all the district's schools with the exception of the Pinedale Middle School.

Though Bondurant elementary school grew by just four children since the five registered in June 2000 that does represent an 80 percent increase. There are now one or more students in each of Bondurant's K-5 classes except for the fifth grade. Pinedale elementary has expanded to a total of 298 students up by 12 since September 1999. The increases are most noticeable in the first and third grades.

In contrast, the Pinedale Middle School is down to 138 children, a drop of 12 since June 2000, most of that decrease hitting the eighth grade. Pinedale High School enrollment is up to 202, most of the growth coming in the ninth and tenth grades with increases of 10 and seven students respectively. The entire school district now has 647 pupils.

Superintendent Peggy Sanders said she attended a recent meeting of southwest Wyoming school administrators and was the only one there able to raise a hand when the group was asked which of the area's school districts were experiencing an increase in enrollment.

In other business, the board heard from Pinedale Elementary School Principal Pat Morgan who is looking for solutions to an ongoing parking lot problem at PES. Too many parents are pulling their vehicles up to the school, dropping off their children, and then backing out of the parking area to be on their way. Right before school and right after are the busiest moments, and sometimes the back and forth of all the cars proves to be a danger to the children.

The board also:

Increased the Bondurant paraprofessional work load from 20 to 25 hours per week.

Approved a $29,400 contract for Jeanne Raney as the district's speech therapist.

Toured the high school art room to appreciate the near completion of an extensive remodeling.

Approved assistant coaching contracts for Mike Jaskolski (football) and Pat Bernethy (volleyball).