Wyoming Faces Funding Challenges Amid Public Education Mandate and School Choice Expansion

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon expressed concerns this week over the state’s ability to adequately fund both its constitutionally mandated public education system and its newly expanded school choice initiatives, WyoFile reports.

Speaking during a visit to Central Wyoming College, Gordon cited recent developments—including a court ruling, tax cuts, and legislative actions—as factors that could strain the state’s education budget.

“I have substantial concerns,” Gordon said in an interview. “The Legislature’s got a very tall task to understand how they’re going to be able to fund all of these things.”

School choice advocates saw major victories during Wyoming’s recent legislative session, including the creation of a universal education savings account program and the removal of limits on new charter school approvals. The Steamboat Legacy Scholarship program, set to begin accepting applications this week, offers up to $7,000 per K-12 student for private education expenses.

These changes come on the heels of a February ruling from Laramie County District Court Judge Peter Froelicher, who found that the state had been underfunding its public schools in violation of the Wyoming Constitution. The court ordered the Legislature to reform the funding model to meet its legal obligations. Wyoming has filed a notice of appeal.

“The judge was pretty clear about needing to meet the requirements under the Constitution for funding education,” Gordon said. “At the same time, we have provided a lot more school choice. And all of those things are coming due.”

Governor Gordon, while generally supportive of school choice, vetoed a bill lifting the cap on charter schools earlier this year, citing fiscal uncertainty. That veto was overridden by the Legislature.

“I cannot, in good conscience, approve an expansion in charter schools at a time when our public education system faces significant financial uncertainty,” Gordon wrote at the time.

Adding to the complexity is a recently passed law cutting property taxes—one of the primary sources of local education funding—potentially compounding financial challenges for school districts.

Against this backdrop, Wyoming is also entering a scheduled “recalibration” process, a periodic review of how the state funds education and what programs and services it offers students. Given the court ruling, many anticipate that this review will prompt increased spending on public education, including areas such as teacher salaries and student mental health.

Despite the financial concerns, Governor Gordon highlighted the promise of innovative education efforts under the Reimagine and Innovate the Delivery of Education (RIDE) initiative. Now in its second year, RIDE encourages student-led learning and real-world experience. Twenty school districts are participating, with activities ranging from hospital internships to practical lessons like tax preparation and legal shadowing.

“They’re unique, but they all have a commonality of kids coming away with basic things that they need … that will help them graduate and go on and be successful,” Gordon said during the RIDE event.

State Superintendent Megan Degenfelder, a strong supporter of school choice and reduced federal involvement in education, also spoke at the event. She emphasized that Wyoming is entering a pivotal period and has an opportunity to lead through local innovation.

“We can replicate what we’re doing here today all across the state,” Degenfelder said.