ACSD#1 Board of Education Work Session - May 6, 2026

The Albany County School District #1 Board of Education held a work session on May 6, 2026, primarily focused on reviewing the district's funding model recalibration and its impact on budgeting and staffing. The discussion detailed significant changes brought by Senate File 81, which transformed Wyoming's school funding from a flexible block grant to a more restrictive categorical funding model, limiting the district's ability to reallocate funds across categories. Key topics included the reduction of the average daily membership (ADM) rolling average from three to two years, increased class sizes, and the consolidation of Rock River schools affecting funding. The board reviewed the instructional silo funding restrictions, salary schedule adjustments including a $12,000 total increase for certified staff, and challenges related to health insurance reimbursements and retirement contributions now handled outside the model. The district faces budget deficits in athletics and activities due to underfunding and must rely on reserves to cover shortfalls in special education and transportation. The session also covered the need for detailed tracking of siloed funds, the impact of legislative changes on salary steps and raises, and the proposal to transfer cash reserves to the food service program to ensure free meals. No contract awards or vendor selections were discussed, but the meeting highlighted significant policy and budgetary constraints affecting future procurement and staffing decisions.