More work on buildings is coming up for Laramie County School District No. 2, should the board choose to move a district-owned modular from the West Elementary School site to Burns High School. The issue was discussed during the board’s regular meeting Monday night.
A request was made by high school principal Mike Brownawell to move the modular so it can be used to establish a technology department. Currently the school is using a small room for a technology office and no computer lab exists as the classroom formerly used was needed as classroom space this year.
The problem, as described by superintendent Jack Cozort, is that the Wyoming School Facilities Commission may not allow the district to hang on to the 1,440 square foot space as it will make the district exceed the amount of space the SFC has alloted it.
He said he believes the project has strong potential, which would use an estimated $63,000 from the district’s major maintenance fund. An engineering fee cost of $8,449 would be added bringing the total estimate to $71,500.
Cozort pointed out a pad and utilities are already in place, however some upgrades would be necessary to retrofit the modular for use as a technical learning and repair center. Facilities manager Troy Decker said the project has been on the district’s plan for several years.
While the district must wait to see what the SFC will determine should be done, Decker reminded the board of another caveat — the possibility of the town owning the property before a decision can be made by all parties. He said once the town has control state money cannot be used to move the building.
"I’m opposed to spending this kind of money on a modular," Trustee Jack Bomhoff said. "I am uncomfortable making a decision. $8,000 to move and the rest is a lot of money to put in a trailer home for technology."
Trustee Tom Morgan asked if the district could move the modular and use it for something else, like classrooms, and reopen the computer lab in the high school which already has the necessary wiring in place. The answer came that Brownawell feels strongly that classrooms need to be classrooms and students shouldn’t be moving between buildings for classes.
"I know it’s not ideal to have classes in a modular," chairwoman Esther Davison admitted.
A motion was made to have members of the board look at the project, the modular and meet with Brownawell before a decision is considered. Cozort noted using major maintenance funds in this manner may put other district projects in jeopardy, and before actual implementation of this project that all other projects be reviewed for impact.
Moving to other matters, Cozort told the board of a couple requests for transfer of students to the Wyoming Virtual Academy. He noted he was uncomfortable moving students between districts as they impact LCSD2 PAWS assessment results. The board voted unanimously not to approve the transfer. Cozort said the students could still be removed from LCSD2 and the parents deal directly with Niobrara County schools to complete the transfer.
The board approved a bid for purchase of a scissor lift for maintenance in the gym and atrium of BHS. That bid came in at $15,090 from Wyoming Rents.
One of three items added to the agenda by trustee Jeff Kirkbride resulted in a bit of discussion. His first two items were requests for a meeting to be set for the sports committee and another to discuss school lunches. Kirkbride said as it has been two years since the formation of Pine Bluffs/Burns wrestling and cross country teams, it is time to take a look at them and see how the programs are going. He also wanted to discuss "C" team coaches. It was agreed a meeting would be set in the spring.
Regarding school lunches, it was agreed to ask a representative of Lunchtime Solutions to come and talk over concerns with the board.
The third item added by Kirkbride was in regard to the floor in the Burns Elementary School gymnasium. He was concerned that with all the Burns students taking lunch in the gymnasium, spills and such would damage the floor. He asked how the new floor was taking the heavy use from lunch traffic.
Decker reported there has been no damage and there is no risk if the district keeps up with the maintenance on it. He pointed out the board had allowed for the purchase of a floor cleaner which uses minimal water, so the floor should be good for decades.
Kirkbride asked if any thought had been given to use of tarps under the lunch tables. Decker said there had but it was determined unnecessary.
Final requests in the meeting from Cozort included board and superintendent evaluations, a request that the board look over information provided concerning out of state attendance, and consideration of changing to MAPS assessments. Cozort said LCSD2 is the only district in the state not yet using MAPS. He added the assessment could
