District says athletics and free-meal programs would face cuts under proposed recalibration

GOSHEN COUNTY, Wyo. — Administrators and coaches told legislators that proposed changes to Wyoming’s school funding model would shrink district-level support for extracurriculars and jeopardize free meals provided through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

The business office said last year the district received about $350,000 in interest earnings; under the recalibration committee’s amendment districts would surrender 50% of those local earnings to the state, reducing locally available interest by an estimated $175,000 and shrinking a revenue source the district uses to support CEP and other programs.

Athletic directors and principals outlined how activity budgets have declined over the last decade while costs rose. Southeast’s athletic budget has fallen from roughly $20,300 in 2015–16 to about $11,900 in 2024–25, the principal said, while overall district athletics spending last year exceeded $1.4 million and revenues were about $1.25 million. Staff said the draft bill’s shift from school-level grade-band funding to a district allocation would reduce athletics funding by a trackable $355,000 and would increase reliance on booster clubs, banner sales and community fundraising.

Erin Jesperson, the district’s director of theater, described cross-school participation in arts programs (41 students in the spring musical) and urged lawmakers to remember nonathletic extracurriculars that depend on district support. Administrators said they will continue to document program participation and fundraising levels to inform amendment requests during committee review.

Legislators at the meeting said they appreciated the details and encouraged district leaders to submit concrete amendment language and financial evidence to the education committee.