Education is a guaranteed fundamental right

In my last column, I touched on the significance of our forefathers providing education as a guaranteed fundamental right to the citizens of Wyoming.  (Article I Section 23 provides for education). Article 7-1 of the Wyoming Constitution states: The legislature shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a complete and uniform system of public instruction, embracing free elementary schools of every needed kind and grade, a university with such technical and professional departments as the public good may require and the means of the state allow, and such other institutions as may be necessary.  

There are 37 declarations of rights in Article I of our state constitution.  In none of those declarations does the wording “if the state can afford it,” or “if mineral revenues are stable” follow the declaration.  Article I Section 6 guarantees individuals the right to due process of law. During years of downturn in state revenue we do not eliminate or reduce due process of law, because it is a fundamental right guaranteed to citizens as part of the constitution, as is education.

It is important to note that school districts across the state do understand that revenues can fluctuate, and certain times are leaner than others statewide in all areas. This downturn has been felt by districts since 2010 when the legislature made the decision to not fund part of the funding model, known as the external cost adjustment (ECA). It is the part of the funding model designed to adjust for inflation, that by many estimates has seen a 12 percent increase from 2010 to current date, which is approximately $1.2 million in spending power reduction in HSCSD #1 during that time.  That was coupled with nearly $600,000 in cuts over the 2017-18, and 18-19 school years to HSCSD #1. It appears that the legislature has plans to further cut during the next session.

Wyoming Senate President Eli Bebout addressed the Wyoming Legislative Revenue Committee during their August meeting in Thermopolis, and in his comments he shared that the senate would not support any new sources of revenue to compensate for the shortfalls in funding until “responsible cuts” had taken place in school districts across the state. Some of his legislative colleagues sitting on the revenue committee echoed, “that is what the public wants.”  I have talked with several concerned parents about the loss of programs in our small community, who absolutely do not want to see further reductions. I would encourage you to take time to visit with Representative Winters and Senator Agar as your voices to the legislature. As a district we have made cuts, trimmed budgets, consolidated duties, and eliminated positions and complete programs. As a district we are always looking for efficiencies. As a superintendent I am growing concerned that further cuts will diminish the fundamental rights to the well-rounded education that our Wyoming Constitution guarantees our youngest citizens. Next time, I will provide some history of programs eliminated, and other cost saving measures that have taken place. Please reach out to your local legislators if you are also concerned. As always, thank you for the support for our most precious resource, our children.