The head of Wyoming's School Facilities Department says that just because decisions on school construction are made at the state level, that doesn't mean local input doesn't matter.

Bill Panos says partnering with local education officials to achieve goals isn't just an empty platitude, but a real emphasis of state government. Panos says he's repeatedly heard Governor Matt Mead as well as assorted state legislators advocate for the importance of local input on building decisions,

He says one of the first things he did when he arrived in Wyoming from California a couple of years ago was visit each of the states 48 school districts, adding "I was surprised by the diversity" of education in Wyoming.

Panos says he spoke with superintendents and school board members, but also with teachers and students to get their concerns about education in the state.

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