Albany County Schools Approve Buses, Stadium Demolition, Office Consolidation

The Albany County School District Number 1 board took a series of significant actions at its December 10 meeting and in its subsequent board update. Trustees approved routine personnel items and accepted the monthly financial and grants reports while also moving forward on capital projects and property decisions that will affect school operations and neighborhood assets.

Among the accepted bids were $801,460.70 for the purchase of five new school buses and an $803,617 bid for the Rock River track project. The board also approved the draft fiscal year 2024 to 2025 CPA audit and accepted donations earmarked for Laramie High School and other district sites. In addition, the board listed officer elections and multiple policy readings and adoptions as part of its governance actions.

The board approved dispositions of excess properties including Slade Elementary, the Special Services property at 509 South 9th Street, and the central office at 1948 Grand Avenue. Those dispositions will be submitted to the School Facilities Commission for review. Trustees likewise approved a plan to demolish the Laramie Athletic Field Stadium, subject to commission approval, and authorized consolidation of central office functions into the Beitel building. The consolidation was approved with contingency based renovation budgets and includes project budget amendments and next steps that depend on the state commission process.

For Albany County residents the package of decisions touches several community priorities. New buses are intended to maintain reliable student transportation while the Rock River track work promises expanded recreation and school athletics capacity. The proposed sale or repurposing of Slade Elementary and the Special Services property raises questions about continuity of special education and related support services, accessibility for families, and potential shifts in neighborhood use. Demolition of a long standing athletic facility will affect local events and traditions, and will require careful planning to address debris removal, site reuse, and community input.

The board framed these moves as part of long range facility planning, but final outcomes hinge on state approval and on how the district manages transitions for students and staff. As the School Facilities Commission reviews the submitted actions the district will need to provide clear timelines, preserve services for students with special needs, and work with neighborhoods to mitigate the social and public health impacts of construction and consolidation.