[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6666653,"mediaKeyId","2315740-c27588c979fbde40f8626176aa0448df","parentId",2315740,"title","Committee extends temporary higher cash‑reserve limit for school districts amid recalibration talks","audioSeconds",2187,"startMs",2878000,"endMs",5065000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315740-c27588c979fbde40f8626176aa0448df&start=2878&end=5065","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315740-c27588c979fbde40f8626176aa0448df/thumbnail_2878000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6666653/Wyoming/Committee-extends-temporary-higher-cashreserve-limit-for-school-districts-amid-recalibration-talks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666653-59aa264cc1c0157f644aaa274f0ac8d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771089678&Signature=lmFEM4r73tM4NBG28oIdw6MrO03-9uMXPq7PQLSpL~u2OrerE3v-VfRXXgCWT5vVsDBPX6yut-j-kXAjy6OxG5f9AUCzAaoimniZM8Zmby1voOcdMPGJH3p8bXi9SnmSepEkTChrfLMjsW4Pp7T8cYrKVuYEfcR2QLaKf9aH05Ogar445St0TB6cPN1yirmbMJgLW8eSefjh9sWYtE27FiMlik9UcB4e7yDkzy1kgycFgd1c6uKfzuOwc1slco4ksay88sRus4W4BQICAQYrMxjXw10NFLDe47Vhh4rGNbhoueyjPdp9BDUwwgLZ8yeR6gTBTDxI-6k~Ap0bml6NSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-02-14T21:02:52.82Z","article","The Education Committee approved Senate File 137 to extend through June 30, 2028, a temporary increase that allows school districts to carry a larger operating balance and cash reserve (30% of prior year operations), a measure sponsors and school finance officials said helps districts manage cash flow as federal COVID funds are spent down and the state recalibrates education funding formulas.

Senator Dockstader, sponsor of the bill, said small districts originally requested flexibility to better cash‑flow operations and that stakeholders now support extending the sunset. \"This simply extends the sunset date, helps districts with their operating balances, and allows districts more control of their operations,\" Dockstader said.

Supporters, including the Wyoming Department of Education and local school finance officers, described practical cash‑flow reasons for the extension: federal reimbursement timing, local tax collection schedules and the need to float expenses for summer payrolls and grant reimbursements. Jed Ciccarelli, chief financial officer for Laramie County School District No. 1, described reserve mechanics and cash‑flow timing, saying districts can face steep consequences if reserves exceed statutory limits because excess funds are recaptured by the state.

Representative Kelly proposed an amendment to replace the sunset extension with a phased reduction to a 25% permanent cap; the amendment failed on the committee floor. The committee ultimately voted to give the bill a \"due pass\" recommendation. The roll call showed the bill passed the committee by a majority (recorded as 7‑1 with one excused). Senator Dockstader said stakeholders remain open to discussion about whether a permanent change and what size cap would be appropriate, but argued an extension is needed now to avoid operational disruptions.

Testimony from a parent in a recapture district urged consideration of allowing recapture districts to retain a larger share of locally generated revenue for capital needs; proponents and education officials said recalibration this summer is the appropriate venue to address those kinds of longer‑term distribution questions.

The bill will move forward for further legislative consideration following the committee's approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Education Committee, February 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Education Committee approved Senate File 137 to extend a previously enacted 30% operating reserve allowance for school districts through June 30, 2028; proponents said the extension helps districts manage cash flow while recalibration and federal fund spend‑down continue.","taxTitle","Education Committee, House of Representative, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",61350,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6666658,"Committee rejects bill that would require schools to provide access to certain youth 'patriotic' organizations",913,2543000,3456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315740-c27588c979fbde40f8626176aa0448df&start=2543&end=3456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315740-c27588c979fbde40f8626176aa0448df/thumbnail_2543000.jpg","/articles/6666658/Wyoming/Committee-rejects-bill-that-would-require-schools-to-provide-access-to-certain-youth-patriotic-organizations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666658-341ee2db28a851a311c2b33b26937125/orig.mp4?Expires=1771089678&Signature=M879l~Mgz~r6Hg0FN~88gHms7VhuYv9F-PJHhKI2OTcNwwcb0wzWTWXUsSheefYKghj4v-Ka2ffY7Yb-QrKm7GlmdtrI5c~WjOYOjo8ZUf5-KSeRgX~X16pDhSY0C0UtyqnXFmGr0WQFeeh9rK6GMuPxUC2Kv5rtok-hslsob8JXBko6UJSQW~KoBOXHrOS2M0j-Ywm61bcZ3igaMMOTtmb7VhfbKxXzESsgXLQp0nkHCIkUV0FYexhbkLueOA7G3zyRo57lZy4KSbvouheeyN~tvmWi95WFbWsLj604hSaY7SAQUiL01iknC7bg6yFwMLdafpcv0Sy0fDB6~avoyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 90, a bill to require Wyoming school districts to provide access for youth organizations identified under Title 36 of the U.S. Code, failed to pass the Education Committee after a tied 4‑4 vote with one member excused. The sponsor, Senator Crum, said the bill is intended to give students information about after‑school civic and service options and clarified the bill does not force schools to give equal access to organizations that are not designated as Title 36 patriotic organizations.

Sponsor testimony said listed groups — including 4‑H, FFA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts (Scouting America) and others — would be permitted to present at school events or open houses at the school's discretion. Senator Crum told the committee the bill \"allows, for our kids to have a choice to do positive things\" and that the legislation aims to keep the access optional for schools while providing opportunities for students to connect with civic organizations.

Opponents questioned the need for statewide legislation and raised concerns about local control and evolving organizational policies. Patricia McCoy, chapter chair of Moms for Liberty of Laramie County, testified in opposition to SF90 on constitutional and local‑control grounds, arguing the bill \"is a perfect example of the government trying to fix something that isn't broken while potentially breaking things that don't need to be fixed.\" Other witnesses raised concerns about organizational changes and past misconduct; Dawn Marquardt cited Scouting America's recent national settlement related to abuse claims and said some parents remain uncomfortable with guaranteed access to that organization.

Sponsor and other supporters said the bill does not require schools to schedule presentations during instructional time and leaves the timing and manner of access to local schools. Senator Crum emphasized that the bill does not compel schools to provide equal access to non‑Title 36 groups and that it was drafted to let communities decide local participation.

The committee motion failed on the roll call. Votes recorded in committee: Representative Bratton — No; Representative Guggenmoss — No; Representative Kelly — No; Representative Lawley — Aye (absentee vote recorded); Representative Singh — Aye; Representative Strauch — No; Representative Williams — Aye; Chairman Andrew — Aye. The committee therefore did not advance SF90.","Senate File 90, which would have required school districts to provide access to youth organizations identified under Title 36 (examples listed in the bill include 4‑H, FFA, Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts and others), failed in the Education Committee on a 4‑4 vote with one excused.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":80,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6666662,"Education Committee advances bill to preserve full summer break, cuts minimum days and in‑service requirements",425,2118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315740-c27588c979fbde40f8626176aa0448df&start=2118&end=2543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315740-c27588c979fbde40f8626176aa0448df/thumbnail_2118000.jpg","/articles/6666662/Wyoming/Education-Committee-advances-bill-to-preserve-full-summer-break-cuts-minimum-days-and-inservice-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666662-e2656001ce827e2e13e6dab98be297bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771089678&Signature=cy0rwE327CGM6~KmJkGRzavSgfIKoEk2Fj1tMZxqe~2XoWFYP~Pk~vYo2a~iv-5oywMKMAjNYYudu9W406m5mZz~oChmNq-UQTQcRZjg2xecHIjGEH4kT4YzTZwxrtaQiVO--WulkqOd6GqPOC~nr9-ukMyBCAfPz3r61U7YX3hrbr6Z9ApnYKfBKZx36AZkxfpEh09VKzpBXXeebOgJaeoiCYyIRukNw2FUyeNqw9hEc8Qjiu4b87dAgVsuN1GPNWeuE3ljPpO8v~KPUV4MU-lnbj6LFjDIKwXdjzjiWtM1eC8NCrgdBy0I76JhOL1mCaIaDpAqFxa1yO1mCAPJtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Education Committee advanced Senate File 72, the Summer Vacation Preservation Act, which would require regular school years to commence after Labor Day and recess no later than Memorial Day, lower the statutory minimum school days from 175 to 165 and reduce required teacher in‑service days from 10 to 5. Senator Brennan, sponsor of the bill, told the committee it is intended \"to give teachers and students a full summer break.\" The committee voted to pass the bill, 6‑2, with one member excused.

Supporters said the change would give districts calendar flexibility and benefit tourism and small businesses by aligning the school summer break with the peak hiring season. \"This is really a small business and tourism bill too, as well as just something that is gonna be healthy for the mental well‑being of our students, teachers, and parents,\" Senator Brennan said. The bill includes a provision that \"No school district shall decrease any teacher salary as a result of this act,\" and sets the act's effective date for the 2026‑27 school year to allow districts time to adjust calendars.

The bill changes several statutory items. It reduces the minimum number of required school days from 175 to 165 and lowers the minimum required teacher professional development days from 10 to 5, while preserving the State Board of Education's authority over minimum pupil‑teacher contact time. Senator Brennan noted the state's highest contact‑hour requirement is 1,000 hours (for high school) and that, by his calculation, 1,000 hours divided by 165 days equals roughly 6.06 hours per day, which he said is feasible without changing contact‑hour requirements.

Opponents and some local stakeholders said the measure intrudes on local control and could reduce structured professional development. Bridal Farmer of the Wyoming School Boards Association testified in opposition, saying the issue \"is really primarily that we believe that this is a local issue best addressed by local folks,\" and warned that cutting required professional development risks shifting the training burden to teachers. Farmer asked that the committee preserve the current ability of local districts to seek alternate schedules from the State Board of Education.

Public commenters who supported the bill urged clarifications or amendments. Patricia McCoy, chapter chair of Moms for Liberty of Laramie County, said the bill \"thoughtfully includes protections for teachers' salaries and maintains educational standards through contact hour requirements\" but proposed amendments to exempt supplemental summer programs from the Memorial Day–Labor Day restriction and to clarify funding implications under Wyoming statute 21‑13‑307.

Senators and representatives on the committee repeatedly emphasized that the bill preserves alternate‑schedule procedures: districts that want four‑day weeks, year‑round schedules or other alternatives may continue to seek approval from the State Board of Education. The bill also requires districts operating under an approved alternate schedule to annually evaluate the schedule's effectiveness in meeting educational goals.

The committee record shows the measure was moved for a \"due pass\" recommendation by Representative Straka and seconded by Representative Guggenmoss before the roll call that resulted in the 6‑2 outcome. The bill will move to the next stage of the legislative process following the committee vote.","The Wyoming Education Committee advanced Senate File 72, the Summer Vacation Preservation Act, which would set the regular school year to begin after Labor Day and end by Memorial Day, lower the statutory minimum school days from 175 to 165 and reduce required teacher in‑service days from 10 to 5; the measure passed committee 6‑2 with 1 excused.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee extends temporary higher cash‑reserve limit for school districts amid recalibration talks

Committee rejects bill that would require schools to provide access to certain youth 'patriotic' organizations

Education Committee advances bill to preserve full summer break, cuts minimum days and in‑service requirements