(Lander, WY) – At Tuesday night’s regular meeting, the Fremont County School District #1 Board of Trustees officially selected Matt Ayers to fill the recently vacated seat on the board, following exiting board member Scott Jensen’s resignation announcement in January.
Ayers, a longtime Lander resident with deep ties to local schools and education, will serve the remainder of the term until the next election cycle.
During his interview, Ayers emphasized his lifelong connection to the community and Lander schools. Ayers is a graduate of Lander Valley High School, as are his wife and three sons.
“I’ve been a student, been a parent, heavily understand facilities,” Ayers told the board. “I’ve got an appreciation for what principals and superintendents might go through.”
Ayers’ background includes 15 years in sales, working closely with facilities directors, particularly in schools and hospitals. Through that work, he gained experience in school maintenance and operations, a field he was familiar with from an early age due to his father’s time helping build Lander Middle School and Gannett Peak Elementary.
For about 14 years, Ayers has worked as an administrator in Fremont County School District #38, where he serves as technology director. In recent years, he helped out in the business office when they had a turnover of personnel, assisting with Impact Aid, which he stated is a “significant federal revenue source for schools.” He also noted his familiarity with school finance, audits, and federal Title programs.
When asked why he sought the trustee position, Ayers said he felt ready to give back to the community.
“I’m just ready to give back; I’ve been here long enough, got a lot of roots in Lander, got a lot of relationships with people in the community,” he said. “…Ultimately, the reason I’m technology director at Fremont 38, I want kids to succeed. I want to see them have the opportunity to grow, flourish, and excel academically.”
Now in a new stage of life with his three sons graduated, one serving in the Air Force, one attending college in Missouri, and the youngest studying at Central Wyoming College, Ayers said he has the time and availability necessary to commit to board meetings and community events.
Throughout the interview, Ayers stressed the importance of listening and collaboration. Asked how he would represent all students, families, and staff, not just those he knows personally, he highlighted “being approachable,” being a “good listener,” and “being open.”
“…Representing the entire community, realizing that your own personal views aren’t the only views, and just to be available,” Ayers also stated.
On the role of educators in addressing controversial political, religious, and social issues, Ayers said, “…Focusing on data, research, and what staff recommends as far as action or non-action on different things is a good starting point.”
“We have professionals that work in our schools and rely on what they would say, and try to just remove your own biases from those board actions,” Ayers continued. “So, public educators, the best thing is, bottom line, is do what’s best for kids. Not short-term reactions, but long-term, what’s best for students.”
In discussing the district’s strengths, Ayers pointed to the quality of education students receive from elementary through high school.
“If you had your kids in Lander schools, I think we’d do a fabulous job to create opportunity for our kids to teach them high-level academics and be ready for success outside, after school, after graduation…” he said.
While he did not single out a specific area for improvement, Ayers said districts must always be willing to “pivot to support students in whatever they need.”
He also acknowledged the distinct role of a school board member, emphasizing governance and oversight.
“…Stay in your lane, let the professionals in the school do their job, support where you can, be open to needs, be an active listener,” Ayers said, adding that he plans to utilize resources from the Wyoming School Boards Association to prepare for his new role.
When asked how the board should balance educators’ professional authority with parental rights, Ayers again emphasized listening and respect.
“I think most people just want to be seen and heard,” he said. “Let parents be parents too … and focus on giving kids the chance to succeed academically.”
In closing, Ayers told trustees he would strive to be a collaborative member of the board if selected.
“I would be open, try to be a good team player,” he said.
One of Ayer’s first acts on the board was posing for a photo with the entire school board, Superintendent Mike Harris, and Angelina Rudd, who was also appointed to the board at Tuesday’s meeting as the new student representative, replacing Daegan Reinhardt.