Calling Laramie County School District No. 2’s proposal for the transfer of real estate a "slap in the face to council, to the mayor and the citizens of Burns" the members of Burns Town Council unanimously agreed to send the school board proposal and key to the West Elementary School complex back to LCSD2.

"We negotiated in good faith with Laramie County School District No. 2 in regard to acquiring West elementary and we received their exchange of real estate proposal," mayor Phil Oakes announced following a brief executive session Monday night. "We don’t consider this (proposal) good faith. This is not what we’ve been talking about or discussing."

While Oakes said the council is willing to continue negotiations with the LCSD2 board, he stressed the town will not take a deal that is bad for the town.

"This has little resemblance to the talks we had previously," said Oakes.

He then handed both the proposal document and key to the building to town clerk Toni McNamar with instructions to have maintenance supervisor Darius Mandel hand deliver both to the district and get a receipt indicating that exchange was complete.

"We’ve been more than up front with the school district, with the people of Burns," Oakes continued. "We’ve been blindsided. This is quite a rude awakening."

Councilman Jeff Bartels added "It’s very upsetting."

Oakes noted the work the town has undertaken to see the exchange become

a reality — from planning to grant writing and having two potential renters ready to sign on.

"We are back at square one — if the board wants to start again," he said. "I’m sorry folks but this is not us. We’ve been more than willing to bend over backward but won’t do what’s not best for the town."

"From what I’ve been told this is the history with the school board and the town and this is not going to happen on my watch," Oakes stressed. "We’ve had and hope to continue to have a good relationship."

Councilman Harvey Humphrey said the contents of the proposal "damages" the reputation of the school board.

Councilwoman Jan Gray added "I think they forgot they approached us to take them (the buildings) over."

"Don’t get me wrong, they are an asset and would have made a great town hall, a great meeting room and been a great business incubator," Oakes said.

Asked what will happen now with the nearly half a million dollars in grant funding intended for improvements on the elementary complex, Oakes said if the school board wants to renegotiate and a deal can be reached in the next 30 days the town can continue to use the money as planned. If not, the grant money will be returned to the Wyoming Business Council.

"We all sat in this room and all heard they wanted to turn them over to us, they gave us a letter of intent with no strings attached," Oakes said. "Now there are strings."
"Significant and unacceptable strings," councilwoman Judy Johnstone added.

"We have a great grant writer and we have 10 acres we can build on it if we want," Oakes noted.

In addition, the town has $300,000 in 6^th Penny money available to build with.

"No one is more disappointed than I am," Oakes added. "A lot of work went into this."

Johnstone gave the assurance that the council will "observe best business practices."

Jim Clark, a town resident who stayed to hear the decision thanked council members for their efforts on behalf of the town.

Bringing the meeting to a close, Oakes said "We’re at an impasse and the ball is in their court."

On Tuesday morning LCSD2 board chairperson Esther Davison was informed of the Burns council decision by this reporter. She said she was "sorry they did not accept the proposal."

Davison said the board proposal was viewed by the board as the first step in the negotiation process.

"I’m surprised we are not getting a counter offer," she added.

She said the board has no other plans for the property at this time and the state school facilities commission has assured the board it can do whatever it wants to with the property.
"We can sell it if we want to, but that has not been considered," Davison said. "There has been every intention all along to figure out a way for the town of Burns to have those buildings. We are not out to make money on it. We want the town of Burns to use it and use it well."

As the proposal was discussed in executive session neither the school board nor Burns Town Council is permitted to share what is included in the document. Davison did say a committee of three board members and district superintendent Jack Cozort met in informal discussion. Those board members are Davison, Lee May and Tom Morgan.

"We met once and basically discussed our ideas of disposing of the property," Davison said.

Thus far meetings have been held with board members and town council members, a public hearing has taken place and proposals were presented to the board by the town for consideration. Asked what consideration was given the four proposals initially presented by the town of Burns, Davison said "The board has considered the initial proposals and is still willing to consider parts of any of them."

"The board is willing to negotiate with the town and will make another proposal if and when the town offers a counteroffer," she added.

As to the fate of the complex should it not transition to the town, Davison said no plan has been made.

"There is absolutely no one who has inquired about the buildings, and we have not pursued it (selling)," she said.

Should the board decide demolition is called for, Davison noted the SFC would pay the cost, however the board cannot demolish the brick structure due to its age.

"We’d have to figure something out," she said.