[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6202162,"mediaKeyId","3787636-1baf7af8c98192b49991e00ba88a4bab","parentId",3787636,"title","District outlines plan to provide free school meals next year, announces staff-pay increases","audioSeconds",1172,"startMs",1286000,"endMs",2458000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3787636-1baf7af8c98192b49991e00ba88a4bab&start=1286&end=2458","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3787636-1baf7af8c98192b49991e00ba88a4bab/thumbnail_1286000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6202162/Wyoming/District-outlines-plan-to-provide-free-school-meals-next-year-announces-staff-pay-increases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202162-c55b456cde82417388fdd31821f5b916/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997766&Signature=EKjBCuD1fpXCks3jVURDCld6s5oLzaz2L2vgG7LtOOoAiZFvnXfG7Bo-bWT39MMsONPm0c0JudvPvTY6knStQ7KW-UoPSiXVAFy6Py7A80QQ4aqEeJbLe5fpnlWLvdsBuoEHAoRDI9P2SSUewrTK3TbIFGmu-eF6ApdZmhlNge6hob3fz2lWLGnSabvUokEjhpCCasCtZd2u5Mq6z8aJqjFpZDH5rLqJDX5~ydNXWRuJjceUASewiWkUES5yfJwZePBgrLtUn0Ssj33arN9hzkYk9vOXm6yBACqkusfY-AhGgmS3TIK9TWT6jYzQp8p0XChsO8-xv9f6-fHKW5Pq2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Albany County School Disrtrict #1","date","2025-06-12T15:09:17Z","article","Albany County School District No. 1 administrators told the school board at its June meeting that they intend to use federal meal-program rules so all students can eat for free next school year and described a set of pay increases for district employees.

The plan centers on using free-and-reduced lunch application counts to set the district's reimbursement rate under a federal provision that would allow universal free meals in most schools. \"I'm gonna work with Madison and need everybody's help in spreading the word that I need as many free and reduced lunch applications submitted, in August and September of this year,\" said Miss Green, the district's finance officer, explaining the timeline to capture the percentage used for October claims and for the following four years.

Why it matters: federal reimbursement rates determine how much the U.S. Department of Agriculture will reimburse the district for breakfasts and lunches. Higher participation means higher federal reimbursement and reduces the amount the district must subsidize from the general fund.

Details from the presentation
- Miss Green said the district will push to enroll eligible families in the program this August and September so the district can set the federal reimbursement percentage in October. \"Then we will be able to claim at that percentage rate,\" she said. Administrators said that reimbursement percentages set in October hold for four years under the chosen approach.
- Miss Green described the fiscal trade-off: \"What you're going to increase is about $300,000, which is gonna be the loss, annually of those paid students,\" referring to the revenue the district forgoes when paid meals become free, and she said the additional federal reimbursement will offset part of that cost.
- Board members and administrators said three schools will qualify as CEP schools and will not need to submit applications; the rest of the schools will need the submitted applications to establish the district-wide percentage.

Pay increases
- The district said it can raise base compensation for salaried staff and hourly classified staff as part of the finalized budget. Miss Green described the payroll adjustments as follows: earlier budget work proposed a $2,500 increase for certified (salaried) staff; district staff said they can now \"do $4,000,\" and that classified staff will receive an additional hourly increase. \"We're actually able to do $4,000, a $4,000 raise for certified and another $3 per hour total for classified,\" Miss Green said during the meeting.
- Trustees praised the shift to larger base increases as a recruitment measure. Trustee Tristan Martin said the increases bring the district closer to regional competitors and called the changes \"delivering for all of our employees.\"

Board requests and next steps
- Trustees asked the administration to lead a communications push with schools, social media and community partners so families complete the free-and-reduced forms in August and September. Miss Green and Madison (district communications staff) said they will coordinate outreach with principals and target back-to-school events so families can complete forms in person.
- Administrators said they will finalize budget journal entries this summer and meet auditors in preparation for the year-end audit.

The board did not take a separate, recorded roll-call vote on the meal or raise numbers at the meeting; staff presented the plan to the board and said they will incorporate the measures into the final budget.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ACSD#1 Board of Education Business Meeting - June 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Albany County School District No. 1 administrators told the school board at its June meeting that they intend to use federal meal-program rules so all students can eat for free next school year and described a set of pay increases for district employees.","taxTitle","Albany County School District #1, School Districts, Wyoming","taxId",67520,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6202148,"Board awards $750,600 Slade cooling bid, approves recreation mill levy and superintendent contract addendum",1644,5520000,7164000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3787636-1baf7af8c98192b49991e00ba88a4bab&start=5520&end=7164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3787636-1baf7af8c98192b49991e00ba88a4bab/thumbnail_5520000.jpg","/articles/6202148/Wyoming/Board-awards-750600-Slade-cooling-bid-approves-recreation-mill-levy-and-superintendent-contract-addendum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202148-10402aec73505bb20052e902db3d424a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997766&Signature=ESOHima1toDupqrb-WDJJFDoygxsXbts7utUrLLeCRCgcEZvsVDNTBX0mqu4z2yV5M5MeoX1zB6D2k1TXIvvBS~w9hd1CBGyRQFsLhs52Y4Tx-siTz5eKazoUNTM6KdMU87nQi4cu~nHfX8DKERenbN1YaOUHa-0ox82mAIlgfa5~-Jt2HNs2RCWMEE6p3s8zDcfzXP0SN9-Bo5LPRzSS65zRCx-xLydb3CldhXXnkJiepb3iO8AAnigiWTfMkpIpO9EnHLGR3t-ufFpR3F~wumJRK3tazqhVp3PC~YWyf2eG49azZY5Ns4LTmIdzt8H7V8E7mOff8danPaCLprpvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the June meeting, the Albany County School District No. 1 board approved several formal items by voice vote, including a construction bid for Slade Elementary School, the annual recreation mill levy resolution and an addendum to the superintendent's employment contract.

Slade Elementary cooling addition
- The board approved awarding the bid for the Slade Elementary cooling addition to Climate Control LLC in the amount of $750,600, contingent on funds available from the School Construction Department (CAPCON), according to the presentation. District staff said equipment will be purchased immediately and installation is scheduled for summer 2026 if capital-construction funds are available. Administrators noted that retrofit costs could be materially higher if the district waits because new refrigerant requirements may necessitate a larger overhaul.

Recreation mill resolution
- Trustees approved the annual recreation mill resolution continuing a 1-mill levy that the county collects for local recreation projects; the motion passed by voice vote.

Superintendent's contract addendum
- After an executive session, trustees returned to regular session and approved an addendum to the superintendent's employment contract that raises base salary by $4,000 to $174,000 and extends the contract term through June 30, 2028. The motion passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the public minutes)
- Slade Elementary cooling addition bid to Climate Control LLC for $750,600, contingent on CAPCON funds — approved (mover not specified).
- Recreation mill resolution for fiscal year 2025-26 (1 mill levy) — approved (mover not specified).
- Superintendent employment contract addendum (salary +$4,000 to $174,000; term extended to 06/30/2028) — approved (mover not specified).

Administrators said they will continue to coordinate with the state school construction department about available capital funds and will report back if funding contingencies change.","Trustees approved a bid for a Slade Elementary School cooling addition contingent on state construction funds, voted to continue the 1-mill recreation levy, and approved a superintendent employment-contract addendum that increases salary and extends the contract term; motions passed by voice vote.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6202153,"Board approves changes to PTO, parental leave, sabbatical and related personnel policies",552,4587000,5139000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3787636-1baf7af8c98192b49991e00ba88a4bab&start=4587&end=5139","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3787636-1baf7af8c98192b49991e00ba88a4bab/thumbnail_4587000.jpg","/articles/6202153/Wyoming/Board-approves-changes-to-PTO-parental-leave-sabbatical-and-related-personnel-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202153-994816b511df778ccf00f594ad038ab0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997766&Signature=NysJQDhBMihW5Sjmu07xkidCz33RbsCKqS1SfGsLSOqQWQK998IywHc~Z4iqX62715918w3xa8VlntmmhsSRfagMDYInFR0C6Qa6uNpY3jpGzXfoVwqfn58PA64-mK6RZyUocZxsi5QB86qqK918T3injctczAGxU7Qtz25IoEre99vhtmrwg9BBj5ivmfq91rnTUmFz9jgJu5-bg9MgxWxp6QXiNN52VUdJJW5wD8pc6QDT6n7l4TqVcMWIg7y9aZNtxSR-Znd~h-20I0yNLttbzlTLObDFxyGOMmC66UbEeeMevW~felLzZ7WsLvmeooKU2r46Jd0MJmOVC~V9gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany County School District No. 1 board approved a set of changes to personnel-leave policies on first reading after several months of work by a leave-policy committee.

The board approved revisions affecting policy 50-31 (now renamed Paid Time Off) and policy 50-33 (personnel leave and other). Mr. Cowper, presenting the recommended changes, said the committee aimed to reduce administrative confusion and better align leave with district goals.

Why it matters: the changes affect when employees may use PTO, how parental and medical leaves are calculated, sabbatical eligibility and the rules governing donated leave, and therefore affect staffing, substitute coverage and employee benefits.

Major changes presented
- Paid Time Off (policy 50-31): The policy is renamed to clarify that personal and sick leave are now combined into PTO. The committee added a \"short-term doc leave\" provision allowing up to three days of paid absence when an employee has exhausted PTO; those days would be paid at the employee's regular pay less the cost of a substitute.
- Medical leave: The committee recommended eliminating a rarely-used \"full dock\" option under the district's medical leave and preferring the base-dock approach for clarity.
- Donated leave: Clarified rules and lowered the threshold of leave an employee may donate (employees must retain a balance of 10 days after donation; donors must have at least 11 days to donate) to make donations practicable.
- Parental leave and timing (policy 50-33): The committee clarified that parental leave begins on the day the child is born or adopted and runs for 60 days thereafter. An employee may take time prior to birth or adoption but must use PTO or other paid leave for that pre-birth time; the 60-day parental bonding period starts on the birth/adoption date.
- Sabbatical leave: The committee narrowed allowable sabbatical purposes to align with district goals, limited sabbaticals to one year and no more than once in a five-year period, required a sabbatical agreement, and removed the district's prior obligation to reimburse employees for insurance premiums month-for-month on return.
- Student-teaching and internship leave: Expanded internship leave eligibility beyond a single university program and clarified student-teaching leave for paraeducators who have served at least five consecutive years.

Trustees asked for continued work on related items such as leave for miscarriage and stillbirth; Mr. Cowper said administrators would continue the discussion and could bring more specific draft language to a later reading.

Both policy readings were approved on first reading; trustees approved the amendments by voice vote with motions recorded in the public minutes.","Trustees approved on first reading a package of personnel-leave policy changes that rename sick/personal leave to paid time off, limit certain paid short-term leave to three days, clarify when parental leave begins and narrow sabbatical criteria.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6202158,"Board approves on first reading new firearms and weapons policies; debate centers on inspections, notification and pocket-knife limits",949,3407000,4356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3787636-1baf7af8c98192b49991e00ba88a4bab&start=3407&end=4356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3787636-1baf7af8c98192b49991e00ba88a4bab/thumbnail_3407000.jpg","/articles/6202158/Wyoming/Board-approves-on-first-reading-new-firearms-and-weapons-policies-debate-centers-on-inspections-notification-and-pocket-knife-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202158-d084627b6282b52c85e0dc64fe444833/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997767&Signature=FTo94uVDeKBYoiqdvQ0Tc9~DLJUKiohQpaPGvOs09l0G5nlczRezFgQFFx5-OL1Sb6QzCWYdYXzi5qEzKWueVNOk9VcOpdF9M6OfAZxE-CEQRX72gyXROpPrxj1ECjJ1Pdt6m6p7zZ307PjeM~7xji7sc4sHjaWgjcBdTF00AAKLnUDesLubiRjhuawSHTWss8sstbA3tFhBvs5uHZ243mROFW-xIkkPrUIJQiibJOYTK~4GHCYCebrdFi11aagZGK0BAf5PbAJFcJnRRlmSmPTEO6DjG--hcDZEbt05gP607WEYp2proy4W6wAEXGDl1S7hvGJp6Oedd~6v4XBFYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees approved on first reading two policy changes that revise how firearms and other weapons are treated on campus.

The first measure, new policy 50-50, requires that any firearm an employee uses for concealed carry on district property be inspected by the Laramie Police Department armory for \"mechanical integrity, functioning, safety mechanisms, proper maintenance, and absence of alterations that compromise the safety of the firearm,\" according to district attorney Mr. Cowper, who presented the draft. \"That documentation must be provided to me pursuant to the policies,\" Cowper said during discussion.

Why it matters: the policy imposes administrative checks on employees who secure concealed-carry permission and sets disciplinary consequences for violations; it also touches on operational questions — for example whether the district can confiscate a weapon during an investigation — that trustees debated.

Key points of debate and change
- Armory inspection and reinspections: The policy text added language recommended by the Laramie Police Department to require armory inspection and gave the district authority to request reinspections.
- Holster requirements: The policy was amended to require a holster with a retention mechanism beyond simple friction retention.
- Notification and discipline: Trustees asked whether the district can confiscate firearms during an investigation and whether parents or students should be told which staff members carry concealed firearms. Mr. Cowper said confiscation would \"be entirely a law enforcement matter\" and that the legal question over disclosure should be researched further.
- Weapons policy and pocket knives: The separate policy 40-23 (weapons) was revised to categorize knives with blades longer than 2.5 inches as a \"Type 2\" weapon subject to administrative discipline up to and including one-year expulsion for students. Pocket knives with blades shorter than 2.5 inches remain Type 3 with other disciplinary consequences.

Trustees and administrators requested follow-up work: legal counsel will review whether the district may prohibit staff from telling students they carry, and the policy-and-governance committee will continue discussing measures such as increased visible police presence at large school events.

Both policy readings were approved on first reading; the board did not record a roll-call tally in the public transcript.","Trustees approved on reading a new firearms policy that requires police inspection of employee concealed-carry firearms and a revised weapons policy that narrows exceptions and restricts pocket knives with blades longer than 2.5 inches; trustees asked attorneys to review notification and enforcement details.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District outlines plan to provide free school meals next year, announces staff-pay increases

Board awards $750,600 Slade cooling bid, approves recreation mill levy and superintendent contract addendum

Board approves changes to PTO, parental leave, sabbatical and related personnel policies

Board approves on first reading new firearms and weapons policies; debate centers on inspections, notification and pocket-knife limits