Home / Education / Court Ruling Prompts Overhaul of Wyoming's School Funding Model
Court Ruling Prompts Overhaul of Wyoming's School Funding Model
9 Sep
Summary
- Lawmakers meet to discuss adjusting state education spending
- Court ruled Wyoming's education system is unconstitutionally underfunded
- Consultants propose $64.5M increase to funding model for 2025-26
As of September 9th, 2025, Wyoming lawmakers have been meeting to discuss adjustments to the state's education spending as part of the typical five-year reassessment of the funding model. However, these conversations have been made more tense after a district court judge ruled earlier this year that Wyoming's education system is unconstitutionally underfunded.
The 2025 recalibration aims to update the Evidence-Based (EB) Model, which is the foundation for the Wyoming Funding Model. Consultants have presented the EB Model, which would be approximately $64.5 million more expensive than the current model for the 2025-26 fiscal year. This includes $97.4 million in savings but $161.9 million in additional costs.
Several critical elements of the funding model are still under review, including technology and equipment, food services, and mental health and safety. The consultants are working to ensure the model provides sufficient funding for a modern educational environment, including computers for every student and robust technology infrastructure. The court has also mandated that the funding model must include a nutrition component, as school meals are deemed an essential part of a quality education.
Additionally, the increasing need for mental health professionals and school resource officers is being discussed, as the court has deemed these "needed for a proper education" for all Wyoming public school students.
