I am requesting community assistance regarding concerns raised about the continued partnership between Natrona County District Schools and Lifetouch Studio’s/ Shutterfly.

Lifetouch operates under Shutterfly, which is owned by Apollo Global Management. Apollo’s former CEO, Leon Black, faced public scrutiny regarding financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein. While public statements have addressed timing and corporate structure, these associations raise serious concerns for many parents. As a leader, it is only natural to hire and partner with like minded and goal oriented individuals. When children’s images, names, grades, and identifying information are involved, even corporate level associations deserve careful and transparent review.

This is not about me, the district, or any individual. It is about the children who do not yet have the awareness or ability to recognize the risks in the world around them. It is our responsibility as adults to protect them. If we truly claim to stand for protecting children, then we must stand as a unified front. Everyone says children are safe with them, that they would do anything to protect them. Now is the time to prove it.

Leadership is not about comfort. It is about responsibility. And our children deserve adults who are willing to step into uncomfortable spaces to protect them. If we are going to say we stand for protecting children, then our actions must reflect that when it truly matters.

Sign this petition.

Email the board.

Attend in person.

Speak directly to your principal.

Hold leadership accountable.

Safe schools require action against corrupt companies. They require consistency, transparency, and courage. While it’s great for bringing awareness, they do not run purely on performative outrage or social media declarations. They require action.

Lifetouch is not the only company in our schools that deserves scrutiny. But when a corporation is entrusted with our children’s images, names, grades, and identifying information, any credible concern must be addressed immediately and transparently. This is where I chose to start. Waiting until after a problem surfaces is not protection. It is damage control. That standard is not good enough for our students.

Being vocal online is easy. Leading in real life requires effort. Together, through steady and decisive action, we can make a real difference for our children. We just have to make the choice to put their needs and safety above inconvenience, above fear, above it all. Our entire community should be outraged, demanding results, and having higher expectations for those who promised to protect our students to get voted into a position of power. Now it is time to demand they withhold their promises.  It is every child’s right, present and future students, to have a safe environment to learn and grow in. Whether this currently affects your child now is irrelevant, because as long as this district is allowing it, there is always room for it in the future. Protect ALL kids at ALL costs.