Natrona County High School will get new locker rooms, thanks to an additional $588,532 from the school board.

The board voted to spend $413,683 from the excess debt service fund and $174,669 out of the board priority fund during its meeting Monday night. The board previously approved $400,000 from board operating funds for the project in August -- when the board thought the rest could be paid with major maintenance funds from the state School Facilities Commission.

An additional $588,352 would be needed to complete the project, according to estimates from GSG Architecture. Because of the high cost, the board considered completing half of the project, which would set up future construction and cost about half as much.

Dean Kelly, principal at NCHS, addressed the board about the condition of the current locker rooms. The towel room has become a backpack storage area because the small lockers can't fit athletic clothes and the rest of their lives, he said. Renovating the north locker rooms would affect 300 students each year.

"There's no fluff in this project," Kelly said. "It's a cinder block building with paint on it."

The project is considered an enhancement by state standards and cannot utilize state funding. Once the high schools complete the shift to house grades nine through 12, the locker room improvements might fall under the state's requirements for goods and services, said Mark Antrim, associate superintendent for facilities and technology.

Trustee Donn McCall said the project would provide a healthy and safe environment and made a motion for the vote. The motion passed with trustees Todd Ingram, Suzanne Sandoval and Elizabeth Horsch opposed.

The locker room issue was listed as an “update” on the agenda and Ingram said he didn't agree with voting on items slated for discussion. GSG Architecture extended its bid for the project to Nov. 24 and the board could have voted on funding after learning more information during its meeting Nov. 23.

The locker room expansion and renovation will add 213 lockers for athletics and physical education classes.

Reach education reporter Jackie Borchardt at (307) 266-0593 or at jackie.borchardt@trib.com. Read her education blog at tribtown.trib.com/reportcard

KEYWORDS: Natrona County High School, enhancements, Natrona County School District, Natrona County School Board of Trustees, School Facilities Commission, Dean Kelly, Mark Antrim, Jackie Borchardt