SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — A Third Judicial District Court judge has reversed findings by the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) that Sweetwater County School District #1 violated federal special education law, ruling that the state’s conclusions were not supported by the facts presented in the case.

In an order dated Sept. 24, 2026, District Judge Clark Stith rejected the WDE’s findings and directed the agency to issue a new determination finding that the district did not violate the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The ruling follows a January 2026 determination by the WDE that the district had improperly disclosed confidential student information and interfered with a parent’s right to participate in the special education process. The district disputed those findings and appealed the decision.

After reviewing the case, Judge Stith concluded that the WDE’s determination “rests on factually unsupported and unexplained conclusions.”

Regarding the allegations of improper disclosure of student information, the court found that the documents in question did not qualify as student education records. The ruling also stated that the district shared information only with officials and investigators who had a legitimate reason to receive it and that public statements made by the district did not identify any student.

The court also rejected the WDE’s interpretation of federal privacy protections, noting that “FERPA does not place parents in a witness protection program.”

The judge further found no evidence that the district excluded a parent from a meeting, withheld information or refused to address a parent’s request during the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.

“There is simply no legal or factual support for the Decision that the District did not afford the parents participation in the IEP process,” the court stated.

In response to the ruling, District #1 said it welcomes the decision and believes it provides clarity following allegations that received considerable public attention.

Board Chair Cole Wright said the district pursued the appeal because it believed the evidence did not support the state’s findings.

“The Board takes its responsibilities to students and families seriously. We also take seriously our responsibility to stand behind employees who have done their jobs properly,” Wright said. “Allegations do not become facts simply because they are repeated in the media or on social media. That is why we pursued this appeal. We believed the evidence did not support WDE’s findings, and the court agreed. Our employees and our community deserved to have the facts set straight.”

The district also praised its special services staff, stating that employees work to meet the needs of students with disabilities and their families.

District #1 said it remains committed to working cooperatively with the WDE and hopes the court’s decision will allow those involved to move forward with a renewed focus on serving students and families.

The district said it will not identify or comment on any student or family involved in the matter, citing its responsibility to protect student privacy.