New CCSD No. 2 Superintendent

Darrin Jennings, the new Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2) Superintendent has about as deep a roots as you can to Carbon County. He was born and raised in the county and he graduated high school in Rawlins.

"After high school, I worked for Carbon County Weed and Pest, Wyoming State Highway Department working all over the county," Jennings said. "I went back to Rawlins to teach and I taught middle school and elementary and then moved to Sweetwater County and was the principal at Wamsutter."

Jennings enjoyed his time at Wamsutter but there was and issue. "I loved Wamsutter. I liked the small school and getting to know all the kids, but Wamsutter not having day care was a problem, so I moved back to Rawlins," Jennings said. "I was there for about 20 years. I was Special Ed Director and my last year there, I was interim superintendent for School District No. 1, with the intention I would be principal at the Saratoga Elementary School."

The reason Jennings left Rawlins? The district had combined all the elementary schools and he was in charge of about 800 students, 150 staff members and two assistant principals. "The kids were amazing, the community was amazing, but I felt I lost touch with my kids because of sheer numbers," Jennings said. "I didn't know the kids on an individual basis and that was important to me as a principal, to know each of my kids, know their families and be able to connect. That is why we are in education, to build relationships with kids, teachers and parents and that wasn't happening in Rawlins."

Jennings was selected to be Saratoga Elementary's principal and did the job for a year. He was then picked to run Saratoga High School while CCSD2 looked for a principal. Jennings did this for a couple years and then went back to Saratoga Elementary. He applied for the superintendent of CCSD2 when Dr. James Copeland resigned this past spring.

Jennings feels he has strong knowledge of education and Carbon County communities. He understands how important that is to the job. "Carbon County is my home and you have to work hard in communities you love," Jennings said. "Hopefully everyone will see through the work I do, how much I care for the kids and staff."

As he takes on the mantle of superintendent, Jennings is prepared to face the challenges he believes will appear.

For instance, Jennings has learned from the times of COVID protocols. "One thing we learned from the last couple of years, we might be able to keep people safe from sickness or illness but you really can't help people's mental health by having knee jerk reactions like we did," Jennings said. "I think that, really, has been a lasting effect we are going to have to deal with. Mental health and social well being is a focus. We want people who want to come to work and have the intensity and energy, all the things you need at work so that we can work with the kids in the best way possible."

Jennings wants the district to be a place all feel comfortable with education. He wants to be inclusive with home school students as best as possible.

"I will try and build relationships with homeschool parents," Jennings said. "In many instances a homeschool parent is doing a service to their family and I support home school parents. I believe in good relationships with everyone and will give resources to homeschool parents if it is best for their family. Of course there is hope, the parents see we have great resources and put their children back into public school. But, I will do everything I can to help any child's education."

Jennings said the biggest challenge he foresees is staffing. This is not only a challenge in Carbon County, but throughout the nation.

"Whether you are talking administrative, janitorial, bus drivers or teachers, getting all positions staffed up is not easy," Jennings said. "I have to show candidates we are the best place in the world. I really believe this and I want to showcase our district and bring in the best people to work and live here."

Jennings wants the students to do well in CCSD2. "The students are the center of our district and we need to make sure they are academically prepared for the next level, whether that is college or career," he said. "I want our district to be a place where staff members want to come to work and feel that their input is valued. I think our schools have to be a reflection of our communities. When schools take a different route and don't represent our constituents, kids–parents' beliefs, we will be at odds with each other. Again, I believe our schools have to be a reflection of our communities values while giving the best education possible."