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 Rocky Mountain High School - Byron, WY Posted by:  T0SHEA
N 44° 47.757 W 108° 30.355
12T E 697268 N 4963309
Now a community recreation centre, this one time high school may soon become the home of other endeavours.
Waymark Code: WM10CNW
Location: Wyoming, United States
Date Posted: 04/14/2019
Views: 2
Built in 1962-64 as a composite school, as the result of school consolidation, this 95,000 square foot building was, from 1983 until 2010, the high school for students from Deaver, Cowley and Byron. In 2010, further consolidation lead to the construction of a new Rocky Mountain High School in Cowley, serving students from Byron, Cowley, Frannie and Deaver and leading to the closure of this school.
After many council meetings, town meetings and much second guessing and hand wringing, the town of Byron accepted ownership of the building from Big Horn County School District #1.
In 1969 the Wyoming legislature required a general reorganization of the Wyoming School Districts to provide for improved and more equalized educational opportunities for all pupils in the state.
The District continued to maintain schools that were in existence at the time of the reorganization which included separate high schools at Deaver, Cowley, Byron and Burlington. Associated with each high school was a junior high. K – 6 elementary schools were operated in Cowley, Frannie, Byron and Burlington.
In 1983 the board consolidated the high schools in Deaver, Cowley and Byron, creating the Rocky Mountain High School which was located in Byron. Three junior highs were combined into Rocky Mountain Middle School in Deaver. K – 5 elementary schools were organized for Frannie, Cowley, and Byron.
In 2010 the new Rocky Mountain Middle/High School began operation and 6th – 12th grade students from Byron, Cowley, Frannie and Deaver now benefit from the new building on the East end of the Town of Cowley. Schools in Deaver and Byron were closed.
From Big Horn County School District #1
On March 12, 2012 the building was sold to Alex John Campos, a businessman from Duluth, GA, for $70,000. Initial plans were to open a call centre in the building, creating employment for as many as 100 persons. That has not yet come to pass. As well, part of the building was turned over to the town and is now in use as a recreation and events centre. Operated by a band of volunteers, the centre offers a nicely equipped fitness center known as the weight room and an Olympic-size swimming pool. Throughout the year the centre is the focal point of various events, including the annual Byron Days celebration, held each year in the middle of July.
Regarding the volunteer Rec Committee, Petrich stated Monday, June 11, that, “So many people have stepped up to donate their time and money” for the efforts at the former school, as well as the annual celebration. Last year there weren’t many helpers for Byron Days, she said, but this year, “It’s really great.” The committee is able to use parts of the former school, which has some 96,000 square feet of space that includes a fully equipped cafeteria, auditorium with theater-type seating and large screen, the weight room and the swimming pool.
From the Lovell Chronicle
Following is one of several news articles from the Lovell Chronicle which dealt with the town's ruminations on what to do with the building and its ultimate sale.
NEW OWNER OF SCHOOL SITE IN BYRON HAS MAJOR PLANS
BOB RODRIGUEZ | March 15, 2012
With a sigh of relief, Mayor Bret George said this week that the Town of Byron no longer owns the former Byron school buildings and land deeded to the town last year by Big Horn County School District One.
The $70,000 sale was closed on Monday, March 12, through Big Horn County Title Co. in Basin, said the mayor. The new owner of the property is Alex John Campos, of Duluth, Ga. A business owner whose properties include All American Payment Plan LLC, Campos proposes to initially use part of the former school as a call center that could have up to 100 employees.
Other uses for the site have not been announced, but as the buildings comprise some 95,000 square feet of space on approximately seven acres of land, there is room for numerous endeavors. The mayor said Monday that Campos “has made no other confirmations, but it’s my understanding that he’ll be looking for tenants.”...
...It was noted during a town council meeting Tuesday night, March 13, that Campos has said that he will turn over part of the building to the town, said Councilman Alan Bair. Such portions will be available for use by the town recreation department. Bair and the mayor both have said that they are looking forward with great anticipation to an expanded rec program.
The sale closure comes subsequent to a special council meeting, attended by 18 persons besides the mayor and council, during the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 27. During the meeting of approximately 40 minutes, the mayor reviewed a new contract with changes made by Campos. The pact, which now is history, is “for the purchase price of $70,000 which (comprises) the purchase of the school and the lease of the Home Ec Cottage and the future purchase of the Auto Shop if the town ever comes into possession of it,” according to unapproved minutes of the meeting. George said Monday that the lease is for 99 years.
From the Lovell Chronicle 
Address:
30 East Main Street
Byron, Wyoming USA
82412
Web Site: [Web Link]
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