Letter From Principal RE: Released Time And Trimesters

Dear Fellow Staff Members, (Posted on Garden City School District Facebook Page)

I am sending you the attached document that explains the reason why we are going to take a stand and say no to the request to add a third trimester of released time. Of course, I would love to have my own children attend a full year of seminary, but that just is not possible at this time. Oft times we do not do a very good job of explaining the “why” behind decisions. As many of you are aware, a letter went out from the seminary this week to all parents urging them to support this proposal and talk to their board members. The proposal was being directed by the Kemmerer Wyoming Stake. I would like to give you information so that you might positively speak to this subject as it will surely be discussed over the weekend. I as well as other faculty members and board members are placed in a delicate and awkward situation of trying to defend this volatile issue.

We are fortunate to have approximately ninety percent or above of our students attend seminary. This is probably the highest in the state. What an amazing accomplishment. This is the results of a combined effort of everyone involved including the positive cultural changes that have occurred at the high school.

I would like to briefly address two other concerns that were touched on in the letter. The trimester schedule is what actually allows Rich High School’s students to be able to take all of the many course that are available to them. The benefits of the trimester schedule far outweigh the negative. I have explained it in the report but please shed a positive light on it. Secondly, we have to continually remind people of the benefits that the four day week affords us. We have four uninterrupted days of academic instruction. We have forgotten what it was like when we had activities spread throughout the week. Furthermore, the total hours of instructional time exceed the 990 hours of instruction required by the state.

Finally, as staff members of the best district in the state, I feel we need to do a much better job of positively supporting each other and each other’s schools. We need to take every opportunity to praise and applaud the efforts of our fellow colleagues and put to rest the negativity that so quickly spreads through our small towns and on social media.

I am writing this during the intermission of the high school play. My heart swells with pride to be associated and involved with the wonderful youth and parents of this county. We have a unique culture and I hope we continue to keep it moving forward in a productive and positive way. “There really is no place like home.”

Thanks, Rick Larsen

Portion of document which discusses the need to consolidate the Seminary block so that classes will be filled by small student body.  Entire document on Garden City School District Facebook page.

"Now the challenge that we have in a small school is that we only have 130 students more or less each year. During each class period we have to spread out these students amongst the required core classes and the other class offerings during each period. There were just not enough students to fill all of the classes that we were offering. To make matters worse, the state had increased graduation requirements in math and science. We knew that we would add two additional math classes making Geometry and Algebra yearlong courses as well as adding Chemistry or Wildlife Biology as an additional science requirement. Furthermore, the state was requiring a new financial literacy course for all seniors. At that time the faculty made a commitment that we didn’t want to cut out any existing programs. So, what was the alternative?

We needed to cut out courses to add additional hours or students being available to take these courses. In other words, if you take out a class that they would have chosen, then they will have to choose another alternative. Furthermore, we would have to restructure the schedule so that the core classes that took up the majority of the students were spread throughout the schedule. And then the arguing and heated discussion began because everyone wanted to protect their “sacred cows”.

It became apparent that we were just making everyone upset so we set up a scheduling committee with the objective of looking over the schedule and making recommendations to fix this issue. The scheduling committee was made up of Tammy Hoffman, Delora Wight, Justin Groll, Anthony Mitchell, and Blair Hurd. After many hours of heated discussion they came up with a list of recommendations that nobody was happy with but we felt like it was necessary. It appeared that almost everyone was taking a hit for the greater good. At that time Brother Hull attended all of our faculty meetings and was involved in all of the heated discussions as well. He realized as well as everyone else that the cuts were needed and necessary...."
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