CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Despite fierce opposition from parents and advocates, officials have approved a plan to shutter eight neighborhood elementary schools and rebuild several current facilities.
The Wyoming State’s School Facilities Commission held a meeting Thursday morning in the Wyoming Capitol Complex to decide whether to pass Laramie County School District 1’s recent MCER study. Commissioners unanimously voted to pass the study, which was completed jointly by the state’s School Facilities Division and the company Facility Engineering Associates.
Prior to Thursday’s vote, members of the commission held a public meeting Wednesday night in the Wyoming Capitol Complex to hear the findings of the study. Additionally, a group of local parents and educators, known as the Cheyenne Parent Alliance, gave a 30-minute demonstration to bring into question the validity of the MCER study’s methodology. Members of the community group argued that the study violates Wyoming statute, the study contains technical errors and the FEA and the School Facilities Division failed to meaningfully engage the public in the study or its findings.
With the MCER study approved, the state and district can now move forward with plans to close the following schools over the next 10 years:
- Miller Elementary: Closes in 2025
- Deming Elementary: Closes in 2026
- Jessup Elementary: Closes in 2027
- Hebard Elementary: Closes in 2029
- Bain Elementary: Closes in 2029
- Fairview Elementary: Closes in 2029
- Lebhart Elementary: Closes in 2029
- Henderson Elementary: Closes in 2033
Development of two new schools can also now begin. The first school, located in the south triad, will serve students in grades five and six and house around 600 kids. This school is estimated to open in 2027. The second building is being proposed as “Saddle Ridge II” in the east triad. This school will become operational in 2032 and serve about 130 students in grades K–4.
The MCER study also identifies schools as requiring conditional or capacity needs. Several of these schools will be renovated or rebuilt entirely. The following schools are set to be addressed:
- Arp Elementary: To be replaced. The new building will open in 2028.
- Hobbs Elementary: To be replaced. The new building will open in 2030.
- Meadowlark Elementary: Will receive an addition in 2033.
- Cole Elementary: To be replaced. The new building will open in 2034.
- Coyote Ridge Elementary: Will receive an addition in 2035.
The MCER went before LCSD1 board trustees at a meeting Oct. 7. Trustees unanimously approved the study, though several members stated they felt they had no choice in the matter. Trustees also said they received the study only a week before having to hold a vote on it. Many members of the public opposed the study at the October meeting. Several people urged the trustees to delay their vote and take time to consider their options. Others, such as parents or educators at Arp Elementary, say that they have been overlooked and that the MCER would bring much-needed renovations and resources to underserved schools.
To read more about the LCSD1 board meeting, click here.
Cheyenne Parent Alliance started a petition and Facebook page urging community members to speak against the MCER study. At the time of reporting, more than 1,000 people have signed the petition, according to Heather Webb Springer, a Cheyenne mother and founding member of the organization. She said the group will continue to collect signatures even after the MCER report has been approved.
Cap City News will publish an in-depth report on the School Facilities Commission meetings and Cheyenne Parent Alliance in a future story.
A copy of the final MCER study can be viewed below.
