Local schools would prefer to work with Legislators

The 2018 Wyoming Legislature reconvenes on February 12, 2018 to begin the budget session.  Many legislators have shared publicly they have no interest in addressing the shortfall in state education funding with additional revenue sources. My last column addressed the cuts that have taken place in HSCSD #1 since 2010, and that the legislature has a constitutional obligation to provide for education, and thirty-six other fundamental rights in Article I.  

The Wyoming Legislature could choose to ignore the shortfall in funding in the upcoming session, which would result in further cuts to school districts across the state. This has happened in our state before. Thankfully, our state government has a system of checks and balances and the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled, in a series of court cases known as the Campbell cases, that the state was not meeting its obligation for adequacy and equity in education for our children. The most recent attempt by the Wyoming Legislature to ignore the state Constitution came in the form of legislation that removed the duties of elected official Cindy Hill as the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Again, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled they must follow the Constitution. While some legislators are quick to point out what they might consider poor spending practices in schools, the public has yet to be briefed on what the failed removal of a public elected official cost our state in legal fees, lost legislative time, retribution to former Superintendent Cindy Hill, and public trust.

I don’t bring up the past to be adversarial with our legislators. In fact, just the opposite, to remind them that school districts are not greedy, and they are a very large part of the individuals that legislators represent. Schools owe it to the children they serve to ensure that the appropriate funding and programs are available, and by directive of our state constitution the legislature has to find ways to fund it.  

I have been presented two theories in regard to the hesitation of the Wyoming Legislature to pursue other sources of revenue. One individual felt that the legislature would prefer to be sued, as it was in the Campbell cases, to make the claim that the legislature had been forced to bring in other revenue to preserve their good standing with voters that do not support such measures. The second theory is that it is simply difficult to ask for additional revenue from patrons in the form of taxes, with $1.2 billion in the Legislative Reserve Account (Rainy Day Fund). In the patron’s words, “The government does not exist to hoard taxpayer money, rather to utilize tax revenues for the public good.”  

HSCSD #1 has not joined such a lawsuit because we would prefer to work with our representatives in state government. I was pleased that Representative Nathan Winters recently visited our elementary school to observe some of the work happening there. He was able to witness our current third grade that has had an influx in students. Until this last week, when the district was able to add a third teacher, the class numbers were nearly 30 students to 1 teacher. I am glad that he was able to witness what 30 to 1 looks like, as increasing class size is one poor decision the legislature is considering.

I appreciate the work of the legislature, and ask legislators that speak boldly about cuts they feel appropriate in schools, mirror Representative Winters and enter their community schools, rather than speak blindly. I would ask parents to take time to talk to legislators, about our children’s educational needs. As always, thank you and Go Bobcats!