Staff communicators ask trustees for $10.4 million package as state funding model shifts

Representatives of Campbell County School District #1 staff presented a joint salary-and-benefits recommendation asking trustees to consider a package that district presenters estimated would cost roughly $10.4 million in one-time and ongoing adjustments.

A staff-communicators representative (speaker 7) said the proposal seeks to (1) service step/experience movement (district cost cited at about $2,250,000 total; ongoing general fund $1,500,000), (2) add $4,000 to certified staff base salary and the equivalent of a 7.14% base increase for ESP hourly wages (district cost cited at about $8,000,000; ongoing $5,600,000), and (3) continue a one-time 3% stipend for topped-out staff where already budgeted.

Superintendent Dr. Ayers (speaker 15) briefed trustees on the state’s recalibration of the school funding model and said full guidance is expected in early June, with a final model by July 1. He described the model’s "instructional silo," noted potential changes in how average teacher salary is calculated, and said the district is modeling multiple scenarios to ensure legal compliance and fiscal prudence.

Dr. Ayers said the district projects a substantial allocation to instructional resources under the new model and that some local positions (for example, certain instructional aides) are not explicitly funded by the state formula but can be supported with restricted resources.

Trustees and presenters discussed recruitment and retention pressures, insurance-cost increases, and the trade-offs of using reserves versus recurring funds. Staff representatives said the proposed increases aim to retain staff across certified and ESP lines and to keep the district competitive in a statewide labor market.

What happens next: Superintendent and business staff will return with more detailed numbers and an action recommendation after state guidance is released, and trustees signaled they expect more detailed cost/impact reporting at the next board meeting.