(Riverton, Wyo.) – The Riverton School Board Wednesday night approved an overall budget for fiscal year 2018-19 of nearly $63-million. The general fund budget was approved at $39-million. The motion to approve the budget as presented also came with an instruction to the district administration: “Due to the expected closing of the Tonkin Stadium (Activities Center), we would like the administration to explore the costs for an auxiliary gym and a performing arts center.”
With the future closing of Tonkin, it was noted the district would be giving up a gym and program space. “This recommendation is being brought forward so we can consider our options for facility needs for the community,” said Superintendent Terry Snyder. “We will be presenting a report from Tobin and Associates at the September meeting of the School Facilities Commission and based on the recommendations of that, this will give us an opportunity to plan a step forward and to get some hard numbers, realistic facts we can use to consider potential facility design and function.”
Riverton is the only Class 3A or 4A district in the state without a performing arts center. The RHS public theatre and music performances are currently held at Central Wyoming College, as available. The Tonkin Activities Center houses the RHS Wrestling Program in the gym there, and in the adjacent three story classroom structure, the Frontier Academy, Fremont County Board of Cooperative Educational Services (FCBOCES) and the Wyoming Department of Education’s Special Education Unit.
The Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget breakdown is copied below:
As a portion of the budget adoption, the board also agreed to levy its maximum of of 25 mills.
In other action at Wednesday’s meeting Stanley Dulkoski of Illinois was hired as the new full-time Riverton High School Band Teacher/Director to replace Aric Hageman who unexpectedly resigned in June to take a position in Cheyenne.