Superintendent: LCSD1 allocated full 8.5% legislative adjustment plus $2.6M in local funds for employee compensation

The Laramie County School District #1 superintendent told the Board of Trustees the district allocated the full 8.5% external cost adjustment approved by the legislature and added $2.6 million from local sources to increase employee compensation this year.

The superintendent said, “8.5% more salary dollars for Laramie 1 equals $9,600,000. . . . We allocated all $9,600,000, but we allocated through the consolidation of programs, through the elimination of staff that due to our shrinking population, not just the $9,600,000 that were given, but the district came up with an additional $2,600,000 in new money to dedicate to staff compensation.” He summarized the total increase as $12,200,000 dedicated to staff compensation.

Officials presented the numbers to respond to community concern and apparent conflicting reports from Legislative Services Office (LSO) memos that looked at average salary changes without factoring in lane/step changes, experience and benefits. The superintendent told the board that some public discussion had “muddied” the question of whether funds were allocated to employees and described why a simple average can under‑count the full compensation changes employees will see.

Board members thanked the representatives who attended and indicated they would follow up with legislators about lingering questions. No additional formal action was taken on compensation at this meeting; the superintendent’s report closed with an acknowledgement of appreciation for the legislative increase and for the board’s commitment to add local funds.