GOSHEN COUNTY – It’s August and the countdown to the first day of school has begun. 

But before students fill the halls on Aug. 21, Goshen County School District No. 1 is working to complete various maintenance projects through local staff and contractors.

“Due to uncertainty of funds and a lack of bids, we only have a boiler replacement project at Trail and Southeast Elementary,” GCSD Business Manager Marcy Cates said.

“We also have two small projects, which were some painting and gym floor sanding and resurfacing.

“We painted the elementary gym at Southeast … the awning at the front of (Torrington Middle School),” she said. “Every summer, we have a contractor come in and screen and refinish the gym floors. This summer, we also are resurfacing the auditorium stage at (Torrington High School), and resurfacing the elementary gym at Southeast.”

In addition, Anderson’s Carpet in Lingle installed new carpet in various classrooms at Trail, Southeast High School and in a hallway at Lingle-Fort Laramie Middle School.

“All (projects) are done, except flooring in the gym and stage flooring, and boiler projects,” Cates said. “The stage might be done by the end of this week or first of next week.”

She estimated the boiler projects, which are taking slightly longer than anticipated, should be finished by Aug. 17.

The district also completed several smaller projects, including replacing an exterior fire door at THS; tearing down the temporary wall between the gym and music room at Lincoln Elementary and replacing it with a permanent structure; adding a double door between two classrooms at Trail Elementary; and crack sealing three tennis courts in Torrington.

District maintenance falls on the shoulder of three employees and one full-time groundskeeper. GCSD also hires three, part-time mowers during the summer.

“All of the projects we contracted for were with local or in-state contractors,” Cates said.