Wyoming lawmakers reduce $66.3M funding for K-12 schools by $17.5M

CHEYENNE — A pending lawsuit against the state of Wyoming claims the state has unconstitutionally underfunded its K-12 public schools.

A 2024 legislative memo recommended the state provide a $66.3 million cost adjustment to its K-12 education block grant in order to get back on track.

Members of the Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee in the 67th Legislature adopted this recommendation, and so did Gov. Mark Gordon in his supplemental budget request.

However, the JAC underwent an extreme transformation in its membership with the new 68th Wyoming Legislature, with several first time members and new chairmen. This meant a different JAC committee from the one last year would decide the cost adjustment funding.

On Wednesday, the JAC voted to reduce the recommended $66.3 million to $48.8 million for the K-12 school block grant, which would only fund the 8.5% increase in teacher (professional staff) salaries, denying the 8.5% increase for non-staff salaries and the 1.068% increase for school supplies.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, said this is a “justifiable move” that would hold up in court.

“It’s my understanding the non-professional staff, or administration, is actually well above the model already,” Bear said. “I think it’s justifiable not to increase that part of the (ECA) model.”

Sen. Mike Gierau, D-Jackson, voiced his opposition against the motion during the meeting. He later told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle that the choice not to go with the full $66.3 million recommendation would only lead to another lawsuit.

Wyoming has been sued more than once for failing to adequately fund its K-12 schools, probably the most famous of which were the Campbell County cases. Rep. Trey Sherwood, D-Laramie, and Gierau were the only two members to vote against the motion.

“This conversation isn’t going to have anything to do with (the current lawsuit),” Gierau said. “When the bill becomes law, we’ll have lawsuit number nine.”

The Wyoming Education Association, joined by several school districts, including Laramie County School District 1, sued the state in 2022 for underfunding its public schools, including external cost adjustments for staff salaries. Oral arguments were heard in Laramie County District Court last summer, and both sides are currently awaiting a verdict from District Judge Peter H. Froelicher.

It is unclear when that verdict will be made available.

This story was published on January 23 2025.