CASPER, WY — The Natrona County School District 1 Board Budget Committee voted unanimously on Monday to adopt a detailed timeline and clear priorities for the district’s fiscal year 2028 budget. The plan, which will guide budgeting through July 2027, reflects a commitment to keep classrooms focused on learning while strengthening the district’s financial health.
Four Priorities Guide the Process
Superintendent Angela Hensley explained that the committee identified four guiding priorities: maintaining a focus on student learning while funding essential services, achieving operational efficiencies, offering a competitive compensation package, and preserving facilities to avoid deferred maintenance. “In the past, these four have really guided our decisions,” Hensley said.
Four‑Phase Development Schedule
The board approved a multi‑phase budget development schedule that runs through July 2027. Phase 1 (September 2026 – April 2027) will handle preliminary work such as projecting student enrollment, finalizing staffing formulas and adjusting plans for any legislative changes. Phase 2, slated for March and April 2027, will review the superintendent’s Conceptual Budget Plan. Phase 3 (April – June 2027) will release non‑staffing allocations and collect detailed school‑level budgets. Hensley emphasized the importance of this stage, noting that school budget committees composed of representatives from all stakeholder groups will ensure each school’s needs are met.
Phase 4, scheduled for June 2027, will involve a formal review of the final draft, followed by a public budget hearing in July. This public hearing provides community members an opportunity to ask questions and offer input before the budget is adopted.
Funding Changes Under Senate File 81
Chief Financial Officer Matt Flett presented an update on the implementation of Wyoming Senate File 81 for fiscal year 2027. The legislation moves the district to a two‑year average model for Average Daily Membership (ADM) funding, which reduced the district’s funded ADM count by 647 students—significantly more than the 460‑student reduction projected under the prior three‑year average model.
Senate File 81 also creates an instructional “silo” that groups regular, elective, career‑technical and English language learning teachers, along with an instructional reserve account for any un‑expended silo funds. Final guidance from the Wyoming Department of Education on allowable expenditures within the silo is still pending.
Teacher Salaries and Cost Adjustments
For fiscal year 2027, the district met its statutory obligation by maintaining an average teacher salary of $73,056, satisfying state mandates that district averages equal or exceed model teacher salaries. Looking ahead to FY28, the district is monitoring potential state model adjustments. Recommended External Cost Adjustments include a 2.2 % increase for professional labor, 2.3 % for non‑professional labor, 7.1 % for energy and 2.2 % for educational materials, though final figures will depend on the outcome of the legislative session in March.
Community Impact
The transparent, phased approach aims to give parents, teachers and local stakeholders clear insight into how district funds will be allocated. By involving school‑level budget committees early, the district hopes to address community concerns and ensure resources are directed where they are most needed.
District officials encourage residents to attend the public budget hearing in July and to review the budget materials that will be posted on the NCSD 1 website. Continued community engagement is seen as essential to maintaining the high standards of education and facility upkeep that the district strives for.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
