I have received a number of inquiries about the impact of yesterday’s Supreme Court decision on teachers, school employees, and students.  We have been in close contact with our attorney, Pat Hacker, and I offer you the following:

The decision does not take anything away from anyone.  Public education will continue in the same vein it was moving before the decision.  While it will also not fix the rest of the problems we had identified, we will exercise diligence in our oversight of the legislature as they continue their efforts on our behalf.  It is important that we do not backslide, and I have every confidence that we can work with the legislature to assure that will not happen. 

Remember, we do have an inflation adjustment and recalibration regularly scheduled, both of which will assist us in keeping everyone on track.

 Is there a chance we could end up back in court?  Of course anything is possible, but we don’t  anticipate that  any time soon.   The opportunity to improve the funding formula in the courts through this lawsuit has passed. Now we will continue to remain ever vigilant and work with the Legislature as the state utilizes the funding model in its current form.

The litigation was a lengthy 14 year effort, one that resulted in millions in additional dollars in operational funds for school districts, over a billion dollars in construction funds, professional salaries for school employees, and what is likely the best public education for students in the region.  We accomplished far more than we expected 14 years ago, and I am so PROUD that our association was a key player in an effort to create the high quality education system our state now enjoys.

The decision places much trust in our legislature, and I believe that trust is well placed.  Based on their action in the last few sessions, I believe legislators have demonstrated a genuine interest in public education and take genuine pride in what they have accomplished. 

And that brings me to what you can do to assist your state association – get involved in the political process.  Run for office, lobby your legislators, and stay abreast of the issues.  Your activism can enhance the grassroots effort that will be critical to our effort of vigilance. 

Finally, the decision did not follow our script to the letter, but it did bring closure to this historical action to realize the visionary intent of the Constitution of the State of Wyoming. We should all take tremendous satisfaction in this effort!  It was your association, led by our attorney, Pat Hacker, that led the charge.  Be proud!   

Kathryn Valido, President