April 13, 2015

******FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE****** Contact: Anthony Hughes Public Information Officer [email protected]

State Breaks Ground on New School in Ranchester CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Bill Panos, director of the state’s School Facilities Department (SFD), has announced the groundbreaking of a new elementary school in Sheridan County School District #1, Ranchester. Designed by Plan One Architects, Tongue River Elementary will span 51,308 square feet and have the capacity to serve 365 students in grades K-5. A formal groundbreaking ceremony will be held Tuesday, April 14, 2015. “It’s very exciting to see this project take another important step toward reality,” Panos said. “We are fortunate to live in a state where both the governor and Legislature are committed to providing children with high quality educational facilities.” Tongue River Elementary has received over $13.9 million in state funding, including funds for design and construction. -end-

Established in 2002, the mission of the School Facilities Department (SFD) is to provide the children of Wyoming with quality educational facilities. In collaboration with the School Facilities Commission and state Legislature, the SFD assists with the planning, assessing, financing, construction, and maintenance of K-12 schools across the state. The creation, duties and authority of the SFD are outlined under W.S. 21-15-123.