Cheyenne South High School, long recognized for its “BISON” pride, is facing a wave of scrutiny and criticism from former and current students, parents, and community members.
A post by Kylon Page on the Cheyenne Rants, Raves, and Community Reviews Facebook page sparked a heated conversation, detailing claims about unfair treatment and administrative failures.
Page, citing personal connections to current and former students and athletes, asserts that South students experience worse treatment from administrators, teachers, referees, spectators, and coaches than their peers at other Cheyenne schools.
He claims that over the past year, approximately 50 teachers retired, were fired, or transferred, many citing frustration or negative interactions with students. Page wrote,
“Most of who listed hate the students and will openly call kids punks, thugs or negative comments,”
Kylon Page
He added that some teachers avoid dealing with students unless necessary or when students are personally liked, noting that many have ties to Central and East High Schools, either through their own children or prior attendance.
Page also alleges patterns of academic inequity, claiming athletes were failing classes with teachers who coached at other schools.
Administrative controversies were highlighted, including rehiring a teacher who reportedly used racial slurs and the firing of a well-liked staff member.
He further criticized school policies that allegedly encourage student transfers to other schools and sports programs that appear to target students from specific neighborhoods.
Community reactions to the post reveal a spectrum of experiences. Jennifer Jessel Vogt, who has three children connected to South, wrote,
I’m not totally understand the point of your post…..I had 2 kids graduate from south and one attending there and I have enjoyed that school very much…every high school has its good and bad
Jennifer Jessel Vogt
Will Brackett commented critically on Page’s writing, reflecting tensions in the discussion:
Ok Please pay attention to your grammar Evidently you missed all those classes on English I understand your frustration I would be frustrated also if this was my post
Will Brackett
Tonya Long described her child’s negative experiences with staff:
This is why my kid silently quit south high was because of the staff. They called him the R word, was always losing his work even when he was doing online classes, locking him out of school work. He just got fed up, especially after a certain administrator got promoted to head principal. That woman lies to parents faces
Tonya Long
Similarly, Jessica Buchanan reported her granddaughters experienced bullying that the administration allegedly ignored, even when presented with video evidence.
She criticized the broader Cheyenne school system, claiming it favors jocks or families with connections.
Some responses emphasized a balanced view. April Shaffer, a parent with multiple children at South noted,
I had 3 kids graduate from South . And have one going there now. I don’t feel that South gets the credit that it deserves or the support that should have.
April Shaffer
Ashley Mae shared her family’s positive experience transferring her child from East to South, praising the staff and community while noting sports refereeing seemed biased against South.
Meanwhile, Phillip Newsom highlighted the challenges posed by student behavior:
And yet when the kids there cuss out the school cop, bring guns to school and be violent, they wonder why people don’t like south high and the attitude there from the students
Phillip Newsom
Krista Gallardo urged constructive engagement, encouraging parents and students to bring concerns directly to the principal and superintendent:
Please encourage students you know to advocate for themselves, speak up- respectfully and join together to bring concerns and make change. Former, current, future students, parents and staff. There are amazing teachers and staff in every school. I don’t even have kids that go there but admire their outreach to the public and the things I have heard (in person) that they are changing and doing for their staff and students. It’s admirable.
Krista Gallardo
