School Board Greenlights $900K in Fixes, Upgrades Across Natrona County Schools

The original story by Tommy Culkin for Oil City News.

The Natrona County School District 1 Board of Trustees kicked off 2026 by opening the checkbook, approving more than $900,000 in improvement projects for schools across the district.

At its first meeting of the year, the board signed off on $900,175 in contracts, with the biggest chunk going to a long-overdue upgrade at Natrona County High School. A $349,460 contract with NORCON Industries will replace the school’s bleachers, accounting for more than a third of the total spending.

Several other projects got the green light as well. Installation and Service Co. landed a $129,130 contract to make repairs to the planetarium parking lot. Casper Tin Shop was approved for two jobs at CY Middle School – a $103,670 project and an additional $56,800 contract to replace boiler parts. Meanwhile, Kelly Walsh High School’s stadium seating will get a fresh protective coating under a $112,170 contract.

District officials noted that all of the projects are already accounted for in the major maintenance fund under the district’s fiscal year 2026 budget.

Along with construction and maintenance work, trustees also approved more than $18,000 in donations during the meeting.

The largest gift came from Brad and Jan Cundy, who donated $12,000 to help purchase career and technical education equipment for local middle and high schools. North Platte Walleyes Unlimited added $2,000 to the district’s food services program to help cover student meals.

Midwest School also saw a boost from multiple donors. Christie Sloyer contributed $2,500 to support the school’s 2026 graduation and senior activities. Continental Resources donated $1,000, and USA Trucking chipped in $750 toward a new shot clock for the school’s gym.

With contracts signed and donations secured, district leaders say the upgrades and support will help keep schools running smoothly as the new year gets underway.