The Natrona County school board approved money to design an activity complex at Kelly Walsh High School but took no action on possible "enhancements" for the new Summit Elementary School.

The board intended to review and vote on enhancement projects at its meeting Monday night. The agenda changed after Superintendent Joel Dvorak decided a more general discussion about enhancements was needed before voting.

Enhancements are any building or feature that the Wyoming School Facilities Commission won't pay for. Examples of such enhancements include theaters, gymnasiums and greenhouses. Much attention has circulated around the requested enhancements for the new Summit Elementary School, which include information kiosks and a giant floor map of the state.

Dvorak addressed the board about the magnitude of enhancements coming before the board: Summit Elementary School, the new CY Middle School, the activity complex, a third large high school and renovations to Kelly Walsh and Natrona County high schools.

"We are approaching a $117 million construction campaign," Dvorak said. "Our district needs a funding model for these enhancements."

Dvorak called enhancements "unfunded community expectations" -- features that people expect or want in a new building. For example, a swimming pool in the new high school would be considered an enhancement by state guidelines, but people expect it to be there, Dvorak said.

Trustee Donn McCall said postponing a vote wasn't fair to the people who spent all summer researching and preparing project proposals. McCall put forth a motion to approve the Summit enhancements identified as highest priority by school faculty. The estimated $447,993 cost for the enhancements would come from excess taxes collected to redeem debt from bonds issued 15 years ago.

After a round of discussion, opinion appeared to be split among the eight board members. Trustee Shannon Jackett was absent. Board Chairman Steve Degenfelder suggested waiting to vote until all board members could participate, and the board agreed.

McCall put forth a second motion to approve $220,000 to design the Kelly Walsh activity complex, which is planned to include soccer fields, tennis courts and track and field facilities. The board facilities committee approved the amount for board consideration during its meeting Monday morning. Trustees approved the request on a 6-2 vote, with Elizabeth Horsch and Todd Ingram voting against.

During retreats in August, the board charged Ingram and Degenfelder with putting together a preliminary framework for considering enhancements. Ingram said he was disappointed that the board considered two requests without having the general discussion agreed upon.

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