District No. 2 approves major teacher pay increase

Certified staff receive 15 percent raise, administration gets 3 percent, others 6 percent

Teachers in Big Horn County School District No. 2 will receive approximately a 15 percent pay increase next year following action by the school board Monday evening.

The salary adjustments were approved as part of the district’s adoption of updated salary schedules for the 2026-27 school year. District Business Manager Lane Black-Partridge said the certified salary schedule was increased to meet or exceed the salary levels established in Wyoming’s new K-12 school funding model.

“The certified staff got a little over 15 percent,” she told the board. “We had to get to what was in the funding model.”

The raises are among the largest seen in recent years and come as Wyoming school districts work to implement changes approved by the Legislature earlier this year.

In addition to the certified staff increases, classified employees, directors and certified non-teaching personnel, including counselors, nurses and curriculum staff, will receive a 6 percent increase. Administrative salaries will increase by 3 percent. The district is still reviewing adjustments to coaching and activity sponsor pay schedules.

Black-Partridge also reported encouraging news regarding district insurance costs. Property and liability insurance remained unchanged for the coming year, while health insurance costs increased only 1.4 percent after reserve discounts were applied. The district expects to absorb those costs without passing them on to employees.

The board heard a presentation from Lovell High School student Grady Henley, who requested that the district reconsider its fundraising policy and allow student organizations to conduct two major fundraisers each year rather than one. Henley argued that additional fundraising opportunities could help students participate in state and national competitions and support extracurricular programs facing rising costs.

Board members thanked Henley for his research and presentation but noted the need to balance fundraising efforts with impacts on the community. The board took no action on the proposal Monday night.

In other business, the board approved several policy updates required by changes in state law, including revisions related to homeschool student participation, student attendance, amateur athletic status, medication administration and community use of school facilities. Board members noted that the changes largely reflect current district practices and state requirements rather than new district policies.

The board also approved a new Big Horn County School District No. 2 Virtual Academy handbook. Lovell High School Principal Craig Lundberg said the online program is intended to serve students who may benefit from a virtual learning environment while still remaining connected to the district. Students will be required to complete an application process and demonstrate readiness for online learning.

“We’ve had students leave for online programs, and we’re hoping this provides another option for families,” Lundberg said.

The district approved several personnel recommendations including the hiring of Colby Gull as principal of Lovell Elementary School. Steven Durtsche was approved as the seventh-grade head football coach through a transfer within the district. The board also approved the hiring of Tiffany Scheeler as a preschool paraprofessional and Laura Hall, Emily Olsen, Allison Howe, Hailey Rael and Maddison Stinson as special education paraprofessionals. In addition, Claire Shumway and Sam Mayes were hired for summer grounds maintenance positions. 

The board accepted the resignations of Chase Rasmussen as seventh-grade head football coach and A.J. Montanez as a special education paraprofessional. Montanez also stepped down from his coaching assignments as assistant high school football coach, assistant track coach and head indoor track coach.

Monday’s meeting also marked the final board meeting for Lundberg before he leaves the district. He thanked board members for their support and said serving as principal had been one of the most rewarding experiences of his career.

“I couldn’t have done it without the support from every single person in this room,” Lundberg told the board. “I appreciate the guidance, and I appreciate that you support the administrators and the people who work for the students.”