Thanks to this year’s legislative budget session, an external cost adjustment of roughly $1 million will give Park County School District 1 employees a pay bump moving forward.

As part of Wyoming’s budget passed earlier this year the Legislature included an external cost adjustment for school staff. At a March board meeting Superintendent Jay Curtis addressed the adjustment and said he had been in contact with teachers about what to expect.

Curtis had briefed the board in March regarding the state's decision and said he and Mary Jo Lewis, the coordinator of Business Services, were putting together a package for staff. He added that the state was clear that the money needed to make it to staff salaries — a reason many of the legislative members voted for the ECA.

In Powell this translates to a $1,500 increase to the base salary of certified teaching and certified non-teaching salary scales, which means a pay increase for certified staff. Other positions will receive an equal percentage increase. For support staff in the district this means a bump of roughly $1 per hour.

Coach scales were not included on the board’s budget because they will automatically bump, Curtis said, as their contracts are a percentage of the base salary of the certified teacher.

The only change is that indoor track was put in “a category with the length of the season and the responsibilities.”

A doctorate lane was also added for occupational and physical therapists. The recommendation was given by Curtis because it is now a requirement that graduating OT and PT have a doctorate.

The special education director’s contract was also moved from a 220-day contract to a 260-day contract after discussion with director Ginger Sleep.

“I’ve always said that it’s not something that I would do to them, that it would be something that I would want to do with their blessing,” Curtis said.

He conducted a study around the state and only one district of their size has a special education director on a contract under 260 days. 

“We have so many kids in the [extended school year services] now we have so many teachers and providers providing the services throughout the entire summer that it just makes sense,” Curtis said.

As for Curtis’ salary, it was decided for the mutual benefit of Curtis and the board that his pay will stay at $177,662, but he will receive a one time payment of $3,500 to his Health Reimbursement Account. His contract has been extended through June 30, 2026.

“So the long term benefit to the board is that they are not now negotiating next year on a higher contract. I’m the only employee in the district that has to negotiate what I get, everyone else is on salary scales,” Curtis said. “The benefit to me is that while I'm giving up the long term benefit of a higher income, and higher retirement, I do get the benefit of money that is available to be used tax free for medical purposes.”

The board feels that Curtis is receiving adequate compensation that is in line with other superintendents, Board Chair Kim Dillivan said. 

He added that because base salaries were increased for the staff the board felt Curtis should be compensated in some fashion.

“He's never afraid to look for ways to improve, he always takes input graciously from the board, he  pretty much works year around and I know for a fact that there are nights and some weekends that he has to work, you know, emergencies will come up … and he'll have to respond. The board is just really, extremely pleased with his performance.”