A recent court ruling has put Wyoming’s public school funding model under scrutiny, prompting state lawmakers to take initial steps toward addressing long-standing financial concerns in the education system, Wyo File reports.
Last Friday, state senators voted to restore a $66.3 million external cost adjustment for teacher and school staff salaries, aligning with a judge’s ruling that found the Wyoming Legislature had been unconstitutionally underfunding public schools. The decision signals a potential shift in how the state approaches education funding, a move many educators believe is crucial for the future of Wyoming’s students.
For years, educators and school administrators have pointed to significant funding shortfalls that have impacted teacher salaries, school staffing, and classroom resources. Steve Core, a longtime Sweetwater County School District 2 board member, described how his district struggled to provide adequate raises and recruit qualified teachers.
“Some years, we could only offer staff raises of $100,” Core said. “That wasn’t well received, and it made it difficult to attract and retain quality educators.”
Core, who testified in last summer’s trial regarding the constitutionality of Wyoming’s education funding, compared his district’s ability to provide education to maintaining a quality used car rather than offering a new, high-quality vehicle.
This situation, according to Laramie County District Court Judge Peter Froelicher, represents a failure to meet Wyoming’s constitutional obligations regarding public education.
In his 186-page ruling, Judge Froelicher found that the Legislature had failed to properly adjust school funding for inflation, provide adequate staff salaries, and support school resource officers, among other issues. He ordered the state to revise its funding model to ensure Wyoming’s 92,000 public school students receive the quality of education promised in the state constitution.
In response, lawmakers restored the full $66.3 million external cost adjustment for teacher salaries—an amount initially supported by Governor Mark Gordon but previously reduced in the legislative process. The amendment was introduced by Sen. Tara Nethercott (R-Cheyenne) just two days after the court ruling.
While this funding marks a short-term fix, education advocates stress that long-term reforms are needed.
The Wyoming Education Association (WEA) and several school districts filed the lawsuit, arguing that years of inadequate funding had left districts struggling to maintain educational quality. The effects, as detailed in court testimony, have been significant:
- Campbell County School District 1 has seen a dramatic decrease in qualified teaching applicants over the past 20 years. In 2021, the district still had 21 teacher vacancies just before the school year began.
- Carbon County School District 1 was unable to fill 30% of certified teaching positions in recent years.
- Laramie County School District 1 cut driver’s education, elementary athletics, gifted and talented programs, and several administrative positions due to funding shortfalls.
- Sweetwater County School District 2 reported declining high school graduation rates and lower elementary test scores as it hired more teachers without full certification.
For many educators, the ruling is a step toward reversing these trends.
“With proper funding, we can offer more competitive wages, reducing turnover and ensuring students learn from experienced, dedicated professionals,” said representatives from Sweetwater County School District 1.
Other district leaders, including Albany County School District 1 Superintendent Jonathan Goldhardt, emphasized the need for improved school facilities.
“Too many students in Wyoming are in inadequate and outdated buildings,” Goldhardt said. “In Albany County, we dream of rebuilding Laramie Middle School into a facility designed specifically for young adolescent learning needs.”
The court’s ruling keeps jurisdiction over the case until the state fully complies with its orders, meaning Wyoming lawmakers must continue working toward a long-term funding solution.
The 2025 legislative session marks a recalibration year, during which lawmakers are required to review and update the state’s education funding model. The judge’s ruling specifically pointed to this as an opportunity to address ongoing issues.
WEA President Kim Amen called the decision a major win for education and expressed hope that lawmakers will take action.
“Our schools are the heart of our communities. I hope the Legislature will do the right thing and fully fund them,” Amen said.
In the meantime, the $66.3 million adjustment still requires approval from the House before heading to the governor’s desk.
