Board Adopts 2025–26 Budget, Approves Raises, Bonuses and Student Meal Expansion

The Laramie School District Board of Trustees approved the 2025–26 fiscal-year budget and a 2024–25 budget amendment at their regular meeting, authorizing raises for staff, a year-end stipend and transfers to reserve funds. In open session, the board approved the 2024–25 fiscal-year budget amendment, which the district presented as generating approximately $1 million of additional closing-year revenue. The board directed transfers of $500,000 from the general fund to a special-reserve depreciation fund for future technology purchases and $500,000 to a special-reserve building fund for future construction and maintenance needs. The amendment also funded a $1,200 one-time stipend to benefit-eligible staff for the 2024–25 year. The district clarified the stipend excludes seasonal employees, substitutes, coaches and monitors because those positions are not benefit-eligible. Business staff explained payroll obligations for July–September will affect grant balances and encumbrances. Trustees approved the full 2025–26 budget later in the meeting. Presenters described the budget as “ambitious,” noting it provides a $4,000 increase to certified and professional staff and a $3-per-hour raise to classified staff, covers the full health insurance increase for staff, allocates money for expanded learning opportunities and adds a small amount for out-of-state professional development. The superintendent and finance staff also told trustees the budget will cover the full School Resource Officer contract this year after previously paying half of it in recent years and will provide free breakfast and lunch to every student on school days. The budget packet included detailed school-level line items, and the board authorized the administration to go out to bid for capital projects listed in the major maintenance plan. Board members praised the budget and noted it reflected prior difficult decisions and recent state funding decisions. The motion to adopt the 2025–26 budget passed by roll call; the board chair announced “Motion passes.” The board instructed staff to publish budget documents and to return with bid results for any capital projects. No additional contingent actions or debt-authority changes were announced.