Board mulls capital project requests

WORLAND — The Washakie County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees reviewed a list of 57 capital projects during a special work session Monday.

The district receives about $1 million annually for capital projects. Business Manager Jack Stott told the board members that about half of the requests will have to be trimmed to fit into this year’s allocation.

There are still projects that have not been completed from last year’s allocation including the roofing, siding replacement and window replacement at the Educational Resource Center (ERC) and the renovation and upgrade to the family and consumer science area. Stott said the renovation included modernizing equipment including a commercial kitchen “so they have what’s more relevant to what they are learning.”

Due to bids coming in higher than anticipated, the board opted not to accept any bids last month for either project.

Stott said the projects will be reassessed and likely rebid in January when the district believes they will receive more competitive bids.

WISH LIST

Stott said the list reviewed by the board Monday is a “wish list” for each building and prioritized by the principals. He said the district will weigh the prioritization by the principals “heavily” but also take into account if there is a long-term project that the smaller project would fit under at a later time.

One item that generated much of the discussion during Monday’s work session was $10,000 for the alternative school room, which is a renovation of the nurse’s room at Worland High School.

Stott said most of the expense is for furniture and equipment.

During the April board meeting, retiring WHS Principal Kevin Smith asked the board to consider the request despite the current moratorium on

alternative school funding. He said if everything is in place when the moratorium is lifted things could move forward.

Superintendent David Nicholas said the administration considered several options to start the alternative program including Kevin Tonkovich’s room since he is retiring and the position is not being replaced.

With no staffing at this time, however, Nicholas said the students would be far removed from any supervision.

Nicholas noted there are people in the WHS office area that could possibly monitor students in the nurse’s room.

The list also included:

—Five copiers for the district office, Worland High School, Worland Middle School and South Side and West Side. The copiers were purchased in 2009. Newer copiers would save the district money on the maintenance contracts, Stott said.

—The district is also considering replacing the district Suburban.

—Restrooms at East Side and South Side are on the list to be renovated to allow for lifts. Stott said the restrooms meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements but they do not have a restroom at the elementary schools that are large enough for a lift if it needed.

—East Side is requesting a window in the library door to the hallway so people can see who is coming in or going out.

—Five drinking fountains at WMS.

The board will make a decision on the projects during their regular May meeting.

“We need to do a bunch of whittling, which is normal,” he said.

With all of the capital projects ongoing and getting planned, Stott noted that “in spite of the fact that four of the five buildings are 50 years old or better we score very high statewide regarding condition.” The middle school is the newest facility in the district.