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Board notes WEA lawsuit ruling that state school funding model is unconstitutional; looks to recalibration and fuller ECA funding
Summary
A workshop presenter summarized a recent Wyoming Education Association (WEA) legal finding that the state school funding model is unconstitutional, citing inadequate cost‑based funding, insufficient salary and facilities funding, and lack of elementary mental‑health counselor support; board members said recalibration and full ECA funding are necessary next steps.
An unidentified board member summarized findings from the Wyoming Education Association lawsuit and the court's recent determination that Wyoming’s state school funding model is unconstitutional. The speaker said the judge found the model is not cost‑based, does not properly account for inflation, and fails to fund adequate salaries or facilities improvements. "The model is not cost based, and that's kinda what that recalibration does," the speaker said.
The presenter listed a range of concerns noted in the ruling: insufficient salary funding to recruit and retain personnel, facility funding that does not assess educational suitability and therefore allows unequal facilities across districts, and exclusion of elementary mental‑health counselors and other needed services from the model. The speaker said the ruling requires legislative attention and suggested that fully funding the education cost adjustment (ECA) next year and the broader recalibration work are the next steps for state policymakers.
Board members remarked that the ruling should increase pressure on state leaders to act. "They have their feet to the fire," one board member said. The board did not take formal action on state policy at the workshop; presenters framed the ruling as context for local budgeting and for advocacy with legislators regarding ECA and recalibration.
