5 takeaways from Sweetwater County District 2 school board meeting

District Seeks Architectural Plans for Major CTE Expansion

The Sweetwater County School District #2 (Green River) Board of Trustees has initiated a major step toward expanding its Career Technical Education (CTE) programs by voting to seek a Request for Proposal (RFP) for professional architectural services. The move aims to develop a pre-design concept for remodeling and potentially expanding the CTE facilities at the high school.  During the discussion, officials noted the goal is to gather ideas from architects, staff, and other stakeholders to create a comprehensive plan. The initial phase is expected to cost around $20,000 and will result in preliminary schematics and cost estimates for various options. Board members highlighted that if the final project’s cost is manageable, the district intends to fund it using existing in-house funds, without seeking additional tax money or bonds.

New High School Schedule Kicks Off School Year

As students prepare to return on August 20th, the district outlined key changes for the 2025–2026 school year, including a revamped schedule for the high school. The previous Wednesday half-day has been eliminated in favor of a new structure featuring a daily period at the end of each day and a 2:10 p.m. early dismissal every Friday. Officials believe this change will provide students with more consistent and frequent opportunities for academic support.  The start-of-school presentation also detailed professional development for teachers, open house schedules, and reminders for parents regarding online registration, transportation routes, and the district’s cell phone policy, which requires phones to be kept off/silenced and out of sight during class (e.g., in a backpack, locker, or pocket) at the middle and high schools, with use allowed between classes, at lunch, and before/after school.  

District Leadership Renews Focus on Strategic Plan

The Board of Trustees and new Superintendent Dr. Scott Cooper signaled a strong, renewed commitment to the district’s strategic plan as the guiding document for all future decisions. Dr. Cooper emphasized that any new spending requests from schools or departments will be evaluated based on how they align with the plan’s three main pillars: wellness and safety, academics, and communication.  Dr. Cooper, who was attracted to the district by the thoughtfulness of the existing plan, stated it is a “very valuable document” that helps align focus and work across all schools. The board intends to hold a special workshop before its September 9 meeting to conduct an in-depth review of the plan’s sections, ensuring it remains a “driving message platform” that is updated annually.  

Board to Develop Clearer Rules for Student Travel Funding

In response to a growing number of requests, the school board is developing formal guidelines for allocating its discretionary funds to student groups. The issue was discussed in a workshop prior to the main meeting, where board members noted a desire to create a fair and equitable system to support the many groups that travel for statewide and national learning opportunities. Trustees expressed that while having so many active and successful student groups is a “good problem,” a structured plan is needed to ensure funds are distributed equitably and don’t run out. The board tabled a final decision until its September meeting to allow time to develop a comprehensive plan before presenting it to the public.

District Approves Purchase of Three New Vehicles for Over $200,000

The board authorized the purchase of two new maintenance trucks and one student transport SUV, with a total cost of $201,157. The bid for a 2025 Ford Expedition XL was awarded to Laramie Peak Motors of Wheatland for $59,582. The two maintenance vehicles, both 2026 Chevy Silverado 2500 crew cabs, will be purchased from Fremont Chevrolet GMC in Riverton for a combined total of $141,575. One truck will be outfitted with a new Western snow plow for $76,121, while the second will cost $65,454 and be fitted with an existing plow the district already owns.  

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