By Ryan Mitchel Collins
Staff Writer 

Ten Sleep school project awaits soil samples, cost study

 


WORLAND — Washakie County School District No. 2 has been in search of land for a new school and the Wyoming School Facilities Department explained this week that the K-12 facility in Ten Sleep is ranked in the top 10 in need of repairs.

Wyoming School Facilities Department of Public Information Officer Anthony Hughes said, “The current building is ranked No. 7 on the School Facilities Needs Index, which identifies schools most in need of repair, renovation and replacement.”

Hughes said, “This project is currently in the planning stage. The state Legislature appropriated $50,000 in the 2015-16 biennial budgets for a planning study. The goal of the study is to determine the most cost effective remedy (MCER) for condition issues at the existing building. Funding for the design and construction stages will be considered at a later time, once a remedy has been identified. The need for this project was probably first identified during the facility planning process in 2013 or 2014. Schedules for design and construction will be developed once funding is appropriated by the legislature.”

Hughes said the project is awaiting the most cost effective remedy study and soil sampling of four potential sites. The Ten Sleep School Board was ready to discuss the samples at a special work session earlier this week, but tabled discussion since results were not available.

“Geotechnical studies are being conducted on several sites. It would be premature to discuss specific locations before the studies have been completed.

Soil samples are part of the geotechnical study that is used to help determine the most appropriate site for a new school. Generally, it obtains information on the physical properties of the soil and rock around certain sites,” Hughes said, “Information on any land that is purchased by the state will become public record.”

When asked how the new school project will be funded, Hughes said, “Design and construction of the new school will be funded by the state. Following a series of court cases, the Wyoming Supreme Court determined that the state was responsible for funding all school construction and upkeep. The cost of design and construction is to be determined. As with all school construction, a state project manager will be assigned to work with the school district and oversee the project to completion.”

The size and features of the school are still being determined considering the project is in the planning stage. Details on the specifics involving the building will be determined during the design stage, which will follow the MCER study, according to Hughes.

 
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