House Education committee advances bill funding a state K–3 literacy position

The House Education Committee voted to advance Senate File 14, which would appropriate $240,000 from the public school foundation program account to the Wyoming Department of Education to hire one full-time staff member to implement Wyoming statute 21-3-41, the Early Reading Intervention statute. Representative Singh introduced the committee bill and noted the Senate made a timing change to a reporting condition.

The Department of Education testified the position is a top priority of the superintendent and would focus on evaluating reading plans, developing individual reading plans, analyzing assessment results and providing professional development for teachers. "This position would allow us to hire outside experts to assist with various responsibilities outlined in Wyoming statute 21-3-41," said Nish Guyo of the Wyoming Department of Education, who testified on behalf of the superintendent.

Supporters at the hearing said the position would give districts a reliable state contact and help ensure consistent implementation statewide. Gay Wilson, a retired elementary teacher and former literacy intervention specialist, said districts "want to do the right work, but they cannot always do it alone," and urged lawmakers to approve the bill so the Department can provide statewide support and contracting capacity.

A public commenter raised concerns that the state-level role could duplicate existing district-level literacy staff and recommended safeguards if the position is authorized: a clear definition of the implementation gap the position is to fill, measurable performance benchmarks tied to student literacy outcomes or documented district support improvements, regular reporting to the legislature, and a sunset or limited-term authorization to verify effectiveness.

Representative Li moved to advance the bill; Representative Singh seconded. The committee took a roll-call vote and the clerk announced seven "aye" votes and two excused; the committee passed Senate File 14 and the bill will move to the next legislative step.

The department told the committee the requested funding is roughly half the budget of the broader state system-of-support position because the new post’s scope is narrower. The bill text in the committee copy lists the funded period as beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 31, 2028 in the transcript; June 31 is not a valid calendar date and should be read as the transcripted end of the 2027–28 fiscal period (see audit notes).