The Natrona County School District has resubmitted three facilities requests to the Wyoming School Facilities Commission after being denied funding for the projects.

The district is asking for funding for a stadium repair evaluation and remodeling of locker rooms and the stadium at Natrona County High School, as well as design money for an activity complex at Kelly Walsh High School.

At their June 22 meeting, trustees directed facilities staff members to resubmit all three requests to the commission.

Ken Daraie, executive director of the commission, said the requests were denied because of a new state law that restricts how major maintenance money is spent.

Daraie said another reason for denying the applications was the high amount of major maintenance that has been deferred in Natrona County.

"It's simply premature to go remodel or do these projects until we address those higher needs," he said, adding that the commission will meet with Natrona County officials in the coming weeks to sort out projects.

"The projects aren't unreasonable," Daraie said. "They just need to be put in the context of the bigger picture of the district."

But trustees argued that the commission applied the new law before it officially took effect on July 1. Trustees voted to use excess bond money to pay for the projects if the commission won't approve any funding.

"Waiting is not really an option," said trustee Donn McCall.

The projects total $440,000; the district has about $500,000 in its major maintenance fund.

Dennis Bay, executive director for facilities and technology, said district staff members immediately resubmitted the applications to the commission.

"The ball's in their court now," Bay said.

Daraie said the resubmitted applications are sitting in his office, and that it's still unlikely the funding will be released.

"Nothing has changed," Daraie said. "There's no new evidence."

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at jasa.santos@trib.com. Read her education blog at tribtown.trib.com/JasaSantos/blog.