Riverton school board authorizes letter and testimony opposing House Bill 199

The Fremont County School District #25 Board of Trustees voted unanimously Thursday to authorize a board member to send a letter and to testify before the Legislature in opposition to House Bill 199.

Board member Laurie said she had signed up to testify the next morning and presented a draft letter for the board to send. The board then moved and passed a resolution authorizing Laurie to deliver the letter and represent the board at the hearing.

The board said HB 199 could cause significant financial and legal problems for school districts if enacted. Members cited concerns that the bill, as written, would permit state funds to flow to private or parochial providers in ways that may conflict with the Wyoming Constitution’s restrictions on public funding and could shift long-term education funding without clear safeguards. Board members also raised examples from other states, saying similar programs had prompted fraud investigations and controversial spending on celebratory events.

“...I did go ahead and get signed up to testify on behalf of the board tomorrow in opposition of this,” Laurie told the board before asking for a motion.

Trustees discussed other bills they are watching, including homeowner property-tax measures, several bills affecting school funding and accountability, and proposals that would change how school boards and school spaces are regulated. Members asked staff and outside counsel contacts — including WSBA and legislative liaisons — to monitor several measures and provide rapid updates.

Board members urged concise, targeted outreach to key legislators and provided a short list of fence‑sitting lawmakers to contact. The board noted the hearing schedule: the House Education Committee was scheduled to hear the bill the following morning.

The board’s action was procedural — authorizing a single board member to speak and circulate a draft letter — and stopped short of adopting formal policy changes. Trustees said they intend to follow testimony with further discussion if the bill advances.

The board directed staff to finalize and send the letter that evening and to circulate contact information for legislators to trustees and administrators.

Next steps: Laurie is scheduled to testify the next morning; trustees encouraged community members and staff who wish to contact legislators to do so using the compiled contact list.