Mullan challenges Martin for at-large school board seat

Albany County schools haven’t had a mask mandate since December, but the district’s COVID-19 response is a driving factor in the at-large race, as it is in other school board races this election.

Welcome to the Laramie Reporter’s 2022 Elections newsletter. This newsletter seeks to introduce Albany County and Laramie residents to the candidates who have filed to run and to explore the issues surrounding what promises to be an interesting, impactful local election.

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There’s a lot to consider when voting for a school board member. The school board can change the district budget, decide how involved parents or stakeholders are allowed to be, and determine the schools’ COVID-19 protocols.

And the majority of school board seats — seven of the total nine — are on the 2022 general election ballot.

In the race for the at-large school board seat — one of four separate school board races on the ballot his year — current school board trustee Nate Martin must defend his seat from challenger Thomas Mullan.

Every voter in Albany County has a say in this race.

Both candidates agree that a quality education for all is important, that schools are being understaffed and classrooms are crowded, and that the graduation rate needs to increase.

Martin runs a progressive nonprofit organization called Better Wyoming. He was first elected to the school board in 2018 (representing Area A) and during his tenure, has watched the state repeatedly cut funding for schools.

Mullan owns and operates I-80 Towing and has run for political office before, losing a 2016 bid for county commission. He has children and grandchildren in ACSD, and said he wants to bring his business-minded policies to the school board.

Martin takes a firm stance with COVID-19 policies — he was the last holdout when the school board moved to end the district’s mask mandate in December 2021. He said the district’s current approach is working now, but students and community members should be educated about the efficacy of vaccines and the threat of the pandemic. Martin said the district should follow public health guidance when it comes to pandemic management.

Mullan, on the other hand, did not support the mask mandate. He argued the coronavirus is less threatening to children, which is true, and that requiring masks made the problem worse, which is false. Masked communities see less transmission, but Mullan argued masking should be a personal choice.

Mullan wants to focus on nutrition for students and bringing his own business acumen to school district management.

Martin said he supports doing more to end bullying. He also puts mental health at a top priority for student well-being.

Both candidates were asked about the goal of public education. They responded:

Martin: The goal of public education is to ensure that all our children have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed as citizens, as professionals, and as members of our community.

Mullan: The goal as I see it is to educate our children to be prepared for the world outside of school to have them.

The at-large race for Albany County School Board No. 1 is just one of four races for open school board seats. Every voter in Albany County votes in every school board race, so voters participating in the 2022 general election will be able to select their favorite candidates in each of the four races.

In addition to picking one candidate for the at-large seat, voters will also choose:

• Two candidates for an unexpired two-year term in Area A

• Three candidates for a four-year term also in Area A

• One candidate for a four-year term in Area B

“Area A,” “Area B” and “At-Large” refer to the residency requirements for candidates, not voters. Area A is the city of Laramie, while Area B encompasses the rest of Albany County. At-Large candidates can reside anywhere in the county.

Martin and Mullan answered a series of questions from the Laramie Reporter about their backgrounds, opinions and hopes for the 2022 election. Future Laramie Reporter features will highlight the six candidates for Area A’s unexpired two-year term, the nine candidates for Area A’s four-year term and the three candidates for Area B.

Laramie Reporter: Tell me about your background and profession. Do you have experience in schools?

Nate Martin: I’m a fourth-generation Wyomingite originally from Rock Springs. My interest in public education policy comes from my work at the Wyoming Legislature, where as part of my job as a nonprofit director I have seen lawmakers attempt to gut school funding year after year — and I have helped fight against them. I have served on the ACSD1 board since 2018.

Thomas Mullan: I am a father and grandfather of ACSD1 students. As a member of the Armed Services for many years and a local business owner, I’ve learned a few things – integrity, responsibility, business management and meeting customer expectations.

Reporter: What does Albany County District No. 1 do well? What does it need to improve upon?

Martin: ACSD1 provides quality education to students in our community from an incredibly wide variety of backgrounds — from the privileged children of rocket scientists to students whose parents are in the criminal justice system. This is no small feat, and I am proud of the achievement. That said, we need to improve our graduation rates, do more to stop bullying, rethink our civics education, and offer better options for non-university-track students.

Mullan: Many areas for improvement, we need to listen to the parents more as they know their children best and we need to focus on actually helping ALL students become successful. Talking with one of my employees that had a son that was IEP (special learning) he was failed by the school he was never going to receive a high school diploma only a completion because he was an IEP student to be able to go to college or anything they would still need to get their GED and this parent has been reaching out to the person they told them to speak with at the school district to get help in 2 years with no reply. We need to help all children and not brush them off or the parents.

Reporter: What are the biggest challenges facing Albany County schools?

Martin: Right now, students and staff are both facing higher than normal levels of mental stress, and many students — particularly those from at-risk backgrounds — are struggling with learning loss from the pandemic. In addition, school districts across Wyoming — including ACSD1 — have experienced significant budget cuts from the Legislature, which makes hiring and retaining excellent education professionals very difficult.

Mullan: Not enough teachers for all the subjects which makes many classes overloaded and some kids may feel like they are not getting the help they need.

Reporter: What specifically should be done to support the mental health and wellbeing of students?

Martin: ACSD1 already prioritizes mental health in its staffing — we have more counselors and social workers per capita than most other districts. In addition, ACSD1 leveraged federal COVID relief to fund an administrative-level position to coordinate mental health efforts. These professionals must be given the resources and latitude they need to succeed. We must also specifically address some of the more prolific factors contributing to poor mental health, including social media, poverty, and bullying.

Mullan: Proper lunches and enough for all students will be helpful for the wellbeing and helping our students learn.

Reporter: What specifically should the district do to protect children and the wider community from COVID-19?

Martin: The district’s current approach appears to be working. Students and staff should stay home if they test positive or have COVID-like symptoms. The district should play a role in informing our community about the efficacy and availability of vaccines. Students should learn about how COVID and other diseases are spread and be taught best practices accordingly. We should continue to monitor transmission levels in our community and act according to public health officials’ guidance.

Mullan: Like any flu, COVID-19 has to run its course and children were less likely to contact Covid-19. Hiding behind masks that people would wear only made it worse.

Reporter: Did you support the mask mandate when it was in place? Would you support that or similar measures if Albany County experiences another spike?

Martin: I supported the mask mandate in order to keep our community healthy, our schools open, and our children learning. Obviously I would support measures to prevent public health crises in the future if they arise.

Mullan: I did not support the mandate. I did not agree with forcing our children to wear a mask for 8-plus hours. It should have always been left up to the parents and the children if they wanted to wear one. It should be a personal choice much like I did when it came to my employees.

Reporter: What is the goal of public education?

Martin: The goal of public education is to ensure that all our children have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed as citizens, as professionals, and as members of our community.

Mullan: The goal as I see it is to educate our children to be prepared for the world outside of school to have them.

Reporter: How should the district handle challenges to its educational curriculum or attempts to ban/remove books from the school library?

Martin: As liaisons between the district and the community, the school board should listen to parents and other stakeholders about the content we offer and take their opinions into consideration. However, the school board must also support our educational professionals and the teaching decisions they make. We must be sensitive to the concerns of our community and offer appropriate learning materials to students. But people who ban books are rarely on the right side of history.

Mullan: Only books I can see that should not be in our schools are explicit books of sexual nature or middle school and elementary students do not need lessons these natures.

Reporter: What’s your opinion on Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs in schools?

Martin: ​​LGBTQ+ students often face social challenges related to their sexuality and/or gender identities. It is often helpful to have a group of peers and supportive adults to help them work through these challenges, as well as a social space where they can cultivate pride, learn about their predecessors, and celebrate their community. I believe GSA clubs play a positive role and I support them in our schools.

Mullan: At this time I do not think any clubs should be funded at this time when other programs are or have been cut. I think we need to focus on having the budget for classes such as art and music and cooking.

Reporter: Finally, why are you running for school board?

Martin: Public education plays a fundamental role in the success of our society. I believe wholeheartedly in the Wyoming Constitution’s provision that says all Wyoming children — no matter who they are or where they came from — are entitled to a free, quality public education. It has been an honor to help uphold this mission during my first four years on the school board and I would be humbled and grateful to be re-elected to continue this work.

Mullan: I have seen the impact of the past two years and the response of the district. It’s obvious to me there is room for improvement in communications, respect for the stakeholders, and a thorough review of both curriculum and budget. As a member of the Armed Services for many years and a local business owner, I’ve learned a few things — integrity, responsibility, business management and meeting customer expectations whether it’s a wreck survivor or an upset parent. Stakeholder involvement is vital, and parents need to be invited, heard and held accountable. Quality academics, increased graduation rates, and labor ready people are the most important things we need to focus on.