In a nearly about face from their previous hard line stance, Wyoming’s School Facilities Commission has given Laramie County School District No.2 a way in which the district might be able to save the set of buildings used by Albin elementary known as the 60’s addition.

"I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up falsely," explained school board chairwoman, Esther Davison.

Davison explained that in a series of conversations with staff and the SFC and with SFC director Ken Daraie over several months, Daraie said the 60’s addition could be classified as an enhancement.

"If we can convince the commission to list the addition as an enhancement, we can use up to 10 percent of our major maintenance money for improvements on the building," Davison explained.

The debate began last summer

when LCSD2 learned that major portions of Albin Elementary School, including the 60’s addition would be torn down in a move to reduce the district’s total square footage.

By all accounts of members of the school board, the move seemed ludicrous given the large amount of money the SFC had given the district to improve the buildings.

Davison said it was important to note that conversation between LCSD2 and the SFC was taking place between the district and the staff. The staff, she said, has very little influence on the actual board.

"That would be like one of you," Davison said addressing the crowd, "talking to a teacher about school board matters."

Davison also explained that the set of buildings didn’t meet the typical definition of an enhancement but the SFC staff was looking at ways to make it work.

The district was originally scheduled to go before the board during the SFC’s January meeting to learn of the 60’s additions’ fate but the item was stricken from the agenda and moved to the March 8 meeting in Casper.

"So there is a chance that the 60’s addition may be saved," Davison said.

"Does this include the gym," asked Albin resident Dixie Malm.

"Yes, it would," Davison responded.

In other district affairs, LCSD2 business manager, Rob Bryant reported the district had seen a decline of ten students from the previous month, nine from area high schools alone. Even with the decline, attendance across the district is up 26 students from this point last year.

"I would really like to know why we lost those nine students," said trustee Patty Epler directing Bryant to look into the matter and report back to the board.

Looking to diversify the district’s banking account, trustees moved to split the district’s accounts between two local banks.

Farmers State Bank will hold the district’s major maintenance funds and up to $750,000 in a certificate of deposit while First National Bank will service the district’s general set of accounts and recreation board account.

With one trustee, Wynema Thompson, having a vested interest in Farmers State Bank dealings, Thompson abstained from the vote on the Farmers State Bank account.

Wyoming Bank and Trust will continue to hold the Burns School Activities account.

Currently all accounts are held with First National Bank and the move is part of the board’s systematic review of all services rendered to the district. Monies to the different banks will take place in April.

Agreeing to the purchase of four new buses for the district, trustees were anxious to compare two different bus manufacturers, side-by-side approving the purchase of two buses by the Blue Bird company and two by International.

"I’m really not sure why we’re wasting our time buying Blue Bird’s if they are going to have problems down the road," said trustee Steve Trimble.

After some discussion, trustees agreed that comparing the two companies would give the district a better view of which company to buy from in the future.

Also before trustees were a series of policy changes up for first reading. Policy JQ dealing with student fees, fine and charges and policy KF, KF-R and KF-E concerning community use of school facilities.

Trustees will consider these polices again during their March meeting with copies of changes available at the district office in Pine Bluffs or at the district’s Web site, www.laramie2.org.

In what was categorized as a disappointing vote, trustees approved Loveland, Colo.-based Porter Industries Inc. to refinish district gym floors.

"I’m really disappointed that none of the local bids were even close on this," said trustee Jack Kirkbride who went on to note the closest local bid was nearly 47 percent higher than Porter’s winning bid of $4,970 for the job.

In other business, trustees approved a request to put out for bid a new audio system, reviewed calendar changes for the 2010-2011 school year and approved three substitute teaching positions.

Following regular business, trustees adjourned to executive session to discuss matters of personnel and pending land sales.

The next regular session of the LCSD2 board of trustees is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 8 at Burns High School.