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Natrona County trustees warn Senate File 81 will complicate 2026-27 budget
Summary
Board budget committee members said Senate File 81 introduces a new instructional funding silo that restricts how districts use money and that state rules and guidance are not yet finalized, leaving the district to take a conservative approach while awaiting clarification.
The Natrona County School District #1 board budget committee told trustees that recent state legislation known as Senate File 81 will "drastically change how public school district funds are allocated and managed," complicating preparation of the district's fiscal year 2027 budget.
At a public board meeting, a member of the board budget committee said the bill creates a new instructional "silo" in the funding model that requires certain funds be dedicated specifically to instructional purposes and reduces flexibility for operational spending. Committee members said the Wyoming Department of Education has not issued final rules or guidance needed to implement the changes.
"This will drastically change how public school district funds are allocated and managed," the committee report said, noting that full implementation cannot reasonably occur in a three-month timeframe. The committee said districts must still present an initial budget by May 15 and a balanced budget by July 5 under current law, which raises practical challenges as rules are finalized.
The committee said it is pursuing a conservative budgeting approach "prioritizing meeting legal requirements while continuing to operate the district." The board budget committee also said it will ask district legal staff to request clarification from the state about the regional cost adjustment (RCA) used to compute some funding changes.
District officials named in committee remarks included Superintendent Hensley and Chief Financial Officer Matt Flet, who prepared background materials and a presentation for the committee. Committee members thanked district staff for preparing a lengthy legislative analysis to support the board's review.
What happens next: the budget committee will continue to meet, and trustees said they expect further briefings once the Wyoming Department of Education issues formal rules and guidance. The board's next budget committee meeting was announced for June 25 to continue work ahead of the July 5 balanced-budget deadline.
