EVANSTON — The need for an additional multipurpose gymnasium/field house and an additional outdoor field to serve students has been discussed many times by Uinta County School District No. 1 administrators and trustees over the years. At the March 3 meeting of the UCSD No. 1 School Board the need was raised yet again, although this time the board asked Superintendent Ryan Thomas to put together a request for proposals to conduct a feasibility study, complete with possible locations and projected costs, with an eye toward taking a possible project proposal to voters.

District activities director Bubba O’Neill brought the subject up during his annual report to the board, during which he pointed out there has been a 33% district-wide increase in sign-ups for athletics and activities. O’Neill said the increased participation is not just athletics, but in multiple other activities as well, such as band, choir, drama and robotics. With spring sports starting in March, he said more than 200 students had signed up for middle school track, more than 100 for high school track and more than 100 for high school soccer.

O’Neill said he’s not sure what’s spurring on the high enrollment in activities, but “I wish we could bottle it.” However, with that increased participation comes increased need for practice space. Especially with spring sports, it is often difficult to practice because of the amount of snow still on the ground. Students then end up practicing indoors in various locations, which is far from ideal in terms of game and meet preparation, as well as in terms of student health. For example, students who have to practice indoors for track, including approximately 70 kids participating in indoor track in the winter, end up running the halls of the high school because there is no other facility available. Running on carpeted concrete can lead to spiral fractures and other health concerns.

“It might seem like we have plenty of facilities, but that’s not the case,” said O’Neill. “Every gym is used, so in reality our facilities are being used nonstop.” O’Neill also pointed out that nearly every other 4A community in the state has large indoor facilities for student use. Not only could such a facility be used for athletics, but the cheer and stunt team and Classics could have a place to use for practices, as could the high school marching band.

O’Neill said some preliminary discussions had been held regarding possible locations, with the preferred option at this time being at the south end of the EHS football field on district property. He said the discussion has centered on an indoor gym/field house, an outdoor turf field and possibly transitioning the existing football field to a turf surface. The use of turf would allow for easier snow removal for outdoor practices.

“Financially it’s tough, but it’s something we need to look at,” said O’Neill.

Thomas said this discussion has come up multiple times in the past but taking a step toward actually issuing an RFP for a feasibility study is more than has been accomplished during any of the previous discussions. The plan is to pursue the feasibility study and put together a committee to look into all possible options and determine the best way to put the issue to voters to seek bonding for construction.

In addition to the discussion about increased activity enrollment and looking into bonding for facility construction, O’Neill also highlighted the new Pixellot cameras that have been installed in district gymnasiums. With these cameras, anyone can set up an online account with NFHS Network and stream games from home for about $10 per month. O’Neill said this is a huge plus for kids with family members who don’t live in Evanston. For now, he said the broadcasts do not include varsity games because the local radio station has been broadcasting those.

Finances were also part of a discussion focused on student and school group fundraising activities. Thomas said he’s been looking into the district’s policy on fundraising, but it hasn’t been updated since the late 1970s. Board chair Jami Brackin and trustee Jenny Welling expressed concern that the community is being overtaxed with fundraisers and multiple groups approaching small businesses for sponsorships and support. Thomas said the district has also been contacted by business owners who have expressed concerns about school groups selling items that compete with those offered by local businesses.

The existing policy is very brief and lacks details. Thomas said, “We don’t want to get too involved in booster clubs or PTAs, but it’s time to have some control with this policy.” The plan is to have a draft of a policy available for discussion at the April meeting and up for a possible vote in May.

The discussion about student fundraising resulted in additional discussion about wants versus needs and whether student activities are resulting in excessive lost instructional time. Trustee David Peterson questioned why student trips couldn’t be planned over breaks from school over the holidays, spring break or summer. He specifically mentioned time spent at Teton Science School and questioned whether that program was an example of a want or a need for district students.

In another presentation, special education director Matt Williams shared his annual report with the board. Williams said there have been 435 students on the special education roster this year and there are currently 414 students being served with IEPs (individualized education programs), which is approximately 15% of district students. Williams touted the many services offered in the district, saying the types and depth of services available is “amazing.”

Discussion items also included revamping district policy on negative student meal balances. Thomas said the number and amounts of negative meal balances are increasing and said it’s a challenging situation because “we are not a bank and can’t loan people money.” He said parents are notified in multiple ways when a student’s meal balance is low or in the negative range and emphasized the importance of not embarrassing kids at school. A new policy will be up for first reading in April.

Trustees also brought up other discussions that have occurred in the past, including reducing the size of the school board and considering a four-day school week. Welling said she thinks it might be a good time to again consider a reduction in board size from nine trustees to seven since it’s an election year and a couple of board members have mentioned they may not be running for re-election. UCSD No. 1 legal counsel Geoff Phillips said it’s something that could be looked into; however, there is a specific process that includes convening a county boundary board and other required steps and there may not be time to complete that process in the time frame before the next election.

Trustee Kay Fackrell said he’s been somewhat opposed to a four-day school week in the past, but he now thinks it might be something worth considering. Board member Dave Bennett has mentioned his support of the idea multiple times in the past, and Brackin said she thinks scheduling is something that should be put on an agenda for consideration in the fall.

The next school board meeting is a special work session scheduled on March 31, when the public can share their thoughts or concerns on the district’s plan to modify Rule CKA, the concealed carry rule, to establish instructor qualifications.