Evidence‑based recalibration: consultants recommend smaller K–3 classes, more tutors/coaches and changes to prototypical schools

CHEYENNE — The consultant team presented the 2025 evidence‑based model used as the baseline for the committee’s recalibration draft. Major components include revised class sizes, prototypical school definitions, targeted resources for struggling students and updated central‑office staffing formulas.

Key consultant recommendations: set class‑size targets at 15 students per teacher in grades K–3 and 25 students per teacher in grades 4–12; add 20–33% additional specialist/ elective staffing depending on level (with 33% in high schools to enable block scheduling); provide instructional coaches (1.5 per prototypical school), one certificated tutor per prototypical school and additional at‑risk pupil support positions (1 per 100 identified students). The report also recommends counselors in elementary schools and increases nurse staffing to one per prototypical school.

Consultants urged categorical funding for certain supports (instructional coaches, tutoring and targeted CTE equipment) and recommended a dual account approach for carryforward and reserves (see separate article).

Superintendents and facilities staff warned that revised class‑size assumptions could conflict with existing classroom square footage (many Wyoming classrooms were built to current standards) and urged careful prototypical sizing and smoothing for very small schools. Committee members asked legislative staff to preserve the consultant baseline in a draft bill but allowed multiple directed exceptions and follow‑up studies (technology 1:1, mental‑health staffing, bus reimbursement timing) before the bill is finalized.

— Reporting for the Select Committee on School Finance