Home School Ban Reversed by CCSD#1 Board Members

JUNE 30, 2025 |

Photo – CCSD #1 Main Office – Bigfoot99 file photo

Carbon County School District One Board members reverse course on banning homeschoolers from taking part in public school activities.

Following calls by some Carbon County School District trustees to “shut the doors” on homeschool students, the Board has since reversed course on Superintendent Mike Hamel’s proposal to bar non-traditional students from participating in public school classes.

Following the passage of House Bill 199, or the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act, District One Superintendent Hamel drafted a policy to prevent families who use education savings accounts from enrolling in public school programs.

Superintendent Hamel acknowledged that students have benefited from attending classes in the past, but stated that, due to House Bill 199, District One can no longer include those children in its state reports. The superintendent recommended charging those families a fee to enroll in school activities.

District One Special Services Director and Board member Tanya Wall pointed out that the school is unable to determine who is participating in the education savings account program until after they’ve registered for classes, leading School Board members Marnie Garner and Cheryl Engstrom to suggest barring all homeschoolers, with both members saying, “Shut the doors.”

The policy was originally slated to be passed during the June 26th School Board meeting. However, after further scrutiny by the Board members, the matter was indefinitely postponed.

That didn’t stop several homeschool parents from voicing their opposition to the proposed policy. Cody Anderson said barring certain students based on how they are educated contradicts the district’s stated commitment to inclusivity.

Anderson said the Wyoming state constitution guarantees all youth access to the same educational opportunities.

Next, Laura Clark, a homeschooling mother of four, urged the District One School Board to reject the proposal.

David Eisenhardt, a marine veteran and father of six children, voiced his opposition to the proposed homeschooler ban, specifically as it related to sports. Eisenhardt said children should not be penalized for the school district’s budgetary shortfalls.

Next, Chelsea Spencer personally attacked Superintendent Mike Hamel, accusing him of using homeschool students to make a political statement.

Board Chairman Mike Mann attempted to stop Spencer, stating that the Board does not openly discuss personnel matters. Spencer said Sheridan County School District Two tried to prevent an attendee from speaking about the superintendent in a public meeting.

A district court, however, ruled that the action violated the individual’s First Amendment rights.

Chairman Mann allowed Spencer to continue. The concerned citizen said she and her husband’s recent conversation with Superintendent Hamel established two key insights about the recommended policy: it wasn’t driven by financial concerns, nor was it a response to any actions by homeschool students. Spencer added that Hamel all but acknowledged the proposal was politically motivated.

After the public comment portion of the meeting concluded, Board Chairman Mike Mann thanked everyone for their passion and concern for students. Mann said he and the other School Board members thoroughly reviewed the policy since its proposal in May and concluded it should not be brought to a vote that night.

Chairman Mann said the School Board could have done more to inform parents about potential policy changes, especially when they pertain to homeschool students.

Board Vice Chair Matt Feldmann encouraged the homeschool parents to act as liaisons to the School Board. Feldmann said this would help the Board hear their concerns and ideas more clearly before making future policy changes.

Board Member Cheryl Engstrom acknowledged that she led the chant to “shut the doors” on homeschool students. Engstrom said she formed her conclusions before learning all the facts.

After speaking with several homeschool families, Engstrom said she would vote against the proposed policy change.

Superintendent Mike Hamel said he will continue working on the homeschool policy and present a revised draft at a future School Board meeting.