Community groups urge Laramie County School District #1 to rewrite facilities-use policy, cite conflict with new law

Cheyenne — Parents, coaches and club leaders told the Laramie County School District #1 Board of Trustees at an April public hearing that a draft revision to the district’s facilities-use policy does not comply with SF 90 and would make it harder for youth clubs to use school gyms and pools.

Sam Tortorich, attorney for Capital City Athletics, told the board the district provided only six days’ notice for the hearing and argued the process should have been a full adjudicative hearing with opportunities for cross-examination and exhibits. Tortorich said the draft delegates fee-setting authority to district administration in ways that conflict with the statute and urged the board to preserve emails and records for review.

"You cannot delegate it to the administration," Tortorich said, asking trustees to reconsider the draft and insisting the board must follow notice and due-process requirements.

Several speakers pointed to specific provisions of SF 90, which they said requires fees ‘‘not exceed the hourly rate of personnel, equipment, utility, and supply costs actually incurred’’ and obliges districts to provide itemized cost statements upon request. Joe Melchalski, a youth basketball coach, said the draft policy uses preset fee schedules and administrative estimates instead of tying charges to documented actual costs.

"If you set a fee schedule, you can't reflect real-time, use-specific conditions," Melchalski said, adding that standardized pricing and mandatory district staffing could inflate fees and price out community clubs.

Representatives of youth wrestling and swim clubs described operational problems they say are already happening. April Ojeda, of Gladiator Wrestling Academy, said the district's public facilities calendar shows long blocks marked "reserved" while organized clubs that use the district request system receive rapid denials; she said a circulating notice that summer use would be banned would, if enforced, "100% kill" summer camps and year-round training for elite athletes.

Amy Todarch, representing a swim club, said banning August use and Sunday meets would undercut opportunities for competitive swimmers who train year-round and compete in multi-day events. She and other speakers urged the district to negotiate long-term agreements rather than adopt a consultant-driven fee schedule.

Matt Snyder, a parent and CCA volunteer, framed the issue as an equity concern, saying the district’s competition-level pools are the only accessible option for many families and that higher fees would exclude lower-income participants. Will Westervelt, president of Capital City Athletics, warned the draft policy is likely to prompt litigation and pledged continued opposition.

Speakers also criticized a proposed requirement that outside users carry $1 million in liability insurance as a practical barrier for many volunteer-run clubs; several speakers suggested relying on the Governmental Claims Act and use of waivers as alternatives.

Chairwoman Alicia Smith closed the hearing, confirmed that oral comments would be added to the written record and said the board had not set an April 20 agenda item for final action. A motion to adjourn the public hearing was seconded and carried.

The board did not take a vote on the draft policy during the hearing; several speakers urged trustees to postpone or reject the draft and to meet with stakeholders to produce a policy that mirrors the statute’s "actual cost" standard and preserves year-round access for youth programs.