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Lovington district previews 2026–27 budget, proposes 1% raise plus step increases and 80% insurance coverage
Summary
District finance staff presented a draft 2026–27 budget showing roughly $58.4M in operational revenue, a proposal for a 1% across-the-board pay increase plus experience steps (combined ~ $890,000), and a new state insurance mandate estimated to add about $1.2M to district costs.
At the meeting the district’s finance staff presented a draft 2026–27 budget to the Lovington Municipal Schools board and outlined major assumptions, projected revenues and proposed personnel costs.
Finance staff Carrie (by name in the transcript) described the budget as needs‑based and said operational revenues include the state unit value; staff estimated about $58.4 million in operational revenue for the year and flagged local revenue including a projected $708,000 from oil-and-gas (the district retains about 75% of that local revenue). Carrie told the board the district uses a needs/wants/wishes process led by principals and directors to prioritize spending.
On compensation, the district proposed a 1% across‑the‑board increase for all employees plus an experience step that averages just over 1%, with a combined estimated cost of nearly $890,000. Carrie also summarized a state mandate in House Bill 2 requiring districts to cover 80% of employee insurance premiums; the district estimates that change will increase insurance costs by about $1.2 million.
“You set your priorities by where you spend your money,” Carrie said in the presentation, urging the board to consider investments in staff and student supports.
Other budget highlights presented included a projected POMS liability increase (approximately $346,000), federal program estimates (approximately $2.2 million for Title/IDEA funds), state flow-through funds and small local/private grant projections; the presentation showed roughly 76% of the operational budget directed to instruction and student support and about 86% of operational spending devoted to salaries and benefits.
Board members asked clarifying questions and thanked finance staff for the presentation. The board was not asked to vote on the budget that evening; Carrie said the plan would be presented again and the board is expected to vote on the budget in the coming week. The meeting later approved a one-week adjustment to the 2026–27 spring break (moving it to March 22–26) so the district calendar aligns with New Mexico Junior College, and board members heard first readings of policy advisories and section G revisions to reflect the calendar changes.
The board recessed for a short break before moving into the executive session listed on the agenda.
