The Natrona County school board Monday authorized more than $800,000 for the district to analyze its secondary education system.

A total of $885,300 was released for the project, which includes $446,300 already set aside and an additional $439,000 from Board Priority Funds.

Funding will be used to complete a comprehensive secondary systems study, which will include the creation of a "Visions, Findings and Directions" document to help officials plan for the new high school.

The money will also be used to pay for contracts with "Thought Partners" and trips to study other schools and businesses around the country.

The consultants will work with the district to "cultivate fresh thinking, innovation and new ways to perform."

Board members amended the original recommendation from superintendent Joel Dvorak to include accountability pieces, including monthly progress reports on what is being achieved and how much money is being spent.

"It can't just be, 'Oh, we've got some great ideas,'" said trustee Steve Degenfelder. "I encourage you to come back to us with something more tangible than just thoughts."

Dvorak and Julia Collier Earl, the assistant to the superintendent for special projects, said they had no problem with the increased accountability.

"One of the things we've struggled with before was good accountability models," Dvorak said. "We'll be good stewards of this."

Trustee Jim Bush was the lone opponent to the recommendation. He expressed frustration over the use of consultants and warned against frivolous spending in a time where money is tight around the country.

"We have a fiduciary responsibility to our community to watch the dollars that are spent," Bush said.

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com. Read her blog at my.trib.com/jasasantos.

How the money will be spent

Technical assistance partner $185,000

Allowance for Visions Experts $85,000

Travel/Reimbursements $89,000

Vision Workshops $25,000

Substitutes $10,800

Printing/Media $10,000

Travel/Field Journeys $85,000

Surveys/Data Collection $10,000

Study Group Support/Materials $7,500

To Be Determined $10,000

Thought Partners $368,000

Total $885,300