School District Issues Report; Employees Disciplined, But No One Loses Job Over Skit

The Natrona County School District disciplined, but did not dismiss, any employees who were involved in a parody of a "Saturday Night Live" skit presented three weeks ago, according to a prepared statement this morning.

"The Board and Superintendent agree the employee discipline taken equates to the gravity of the investigation findings. Employees who were involved in the skit remain with the district. This is not an indication that significant ramifications were not incurred," according to the prepared statement.

The skit was seen by 215 returning faculty and staff, and six members of the student council.

Those disciplined and the nature of the discipline are confidential, the district's attorney Kathleen Dixon said Tuesday. "We are not able to release any of that information because it is personnel information pursuant to the Wyoming Public Records Act and the Wyoming Public Meetings Act."

After the complaints about the skit, the district replaced Natrona County High School Principal Dean Kelly with acting principal Kelly Hornby.

Tuesday, Dixon said Kelly is still principal and Hornby is still the acting principal.

"It means exactly what it says," she said. "Dean Kelly is the principal at Natrona County High School. Right now, Kelly Hornby is acting principal."

Dixon did not know when Hornby will not be acting principal and Kelly will assume all duties, she said.

The nine-member board, Superintendent Steve Hopkins and Dixon met in executive session Monday night. The prepared statement said the board had received the a video of the skit on Sept 8., and reviewed the results of an investigation by a Powell attorney Monday.

The statement Tuesday differed slightly from a prepared statement issued on Sept. 8.

The Sept. 8 statement said, “On August 25, 2014, Natrona County School District (NCSD or District) received complaints alleging that Natrona County High School (NCHS) personnel violated NCSD anti-­‐harassment policies and legal standards during a 'welcome back' and new staff introduction skit performed on that date."

Besides the statement, the district released a redacted copy of the video and a redacted transcript of the skit.

"Our intent as a Board and Superintendent is to be as transparent as work agreements and the law allows with regard to these materials," according to the prepared statement.

Releasing the video does not violate personnel confidentiality, Dixon said last week. Personnel matters legally can be kept secret, but that doesn’t necessarily apply to materials regarded as public documents involved in a personnel investigation, she said.

Two attorneys have requested the video.

Attorney Pat Hacker of Cheyenne has requested a copy of the redacted video for his clients the Wyoming Education Association and the Natrona County Education Association.

Attorney Anna OIson of Casper also has requested a copy for her client Kelly. "The matter has not been resolved as of yet," Olson said Tuesday afternoon.