Cloud Peak Academy's application denied by Sheridan County school board

SHERIDAN (WNE) — After months of discussion, Sheridan County School District 2 Board has denied Cloud Peak Academy’s application.

Cloud Peak would have been Sheridan County’s first charter school and the ninth in the state of Wyoming. The latest charter school to open was Cheyenne Classical Academy, which had its grand opening in late August.

Cloud Peak Academy was previously denied by SCSD2 in August 2023 due to a late application submission but submitted another Wyoming School Charter application to the Wyoming Department of Education in July 2024.

As the local school district, SCSD2 was designated by WDE with the responsibility of determining whether to authorize the school. The board made its final vote during its Oct. 7 meeting.

Before board discussion, SCSD2 Superintendent Scott Stults read his recommendation, which was to deny the charter school application.

Board Clerk Ann Perkins said the application did not possess competence in the elements of the charter.

“This to me was not a professional application to the standard I would expect. In the application itself, there were numerous (mis)spellings (and) grammatical errors, and I didn’t see that level of excellence that I would expect from a school,” Perkins said. “I also didn’t see anything that was unique or individualized to what is already offered within the district, within our private and public and homeschooling options.”

Board Chair Shane Rader shared his concern over the lack of community support of the charter school and the sustainability piece of it.

Those who were present all voted to deny the charter school, with the exception of Shelta Rambur.

Rambur said she found it strange the school district is the authorizer and said she believes it is not the district’s place to decide who is going to succeed and who is going to fail.

“You’re asking Walmart if the little mom and pop shop can open up next door. I feel like that’s just bizarre,” she said.

This story was published on October 9, 2024.