Wyoming to Open New Schools Worth $282M

Students in four Wyoming counties are set to attend six new schools worth over $282 million when they return to class this fall.

Laramie High School, Kelly Walsh High School, Shoshoni K-12 School, Stocktrail Elementary School, Willow Creek Elementary School for grades 1-3 and Wyoming Indian Elementary School for grades K-5 will open by the end of September, according to the Wyoming Construction Department.

"These schools are the results of extraordinary efforts from stakeholders at the district, state and community levels," said Del McOmie, the department's interim director. "It's wonderful to see them completed."

State funding for the schools, approved by the Wyoming Legislature in previous biennial state budgets, totals $282,134,205.

Kelly Walsh High School in Natrona County received $99.4 million, the most state funding of the six new schools. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for August 22.

Laramie High School will be the first of the six new schools to open, with the ribbon-cutting on August 11. The new LHS received nearly $80.3 million in state funding.

McOmie says the buildings not only mean new quality facilities for students, but support for local economies as well.

"Building generates jobs in construction, supplies and other industries," McOmie says. "So the whole community benefits."