| Recalibration is underway! The Select Committee on School Finance and Recalibration held their first public meeting on June 17-18 in Casper. Not unlike most committees’ first meetings, this session was largely informational. Working closely with a number of education advocate organizations (including parent groups and Better Wyoming), the WEA helped bring roughly 45 engaged pro-public education advocates to the meeting. The turnout filled the room with supporters adorning the WEA’s “Protect Wyoming’s Public Schools” t-shirts. Additionally, notices were posted and pamphlets were distributed that highlighted how the Freedom Caucus plans to cut significant funds from public education utilizing the recalibration process. |
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| A point of clarity: for any cuts made that are not evidence-based, the legislature must demonstrate that the cut must not harm public education and must further the goal of providing an adequate, equitable and thorough public education system. Cuts that are arbitrary and capricious will be out of compliance with the constitution, case law and the most recent court order. WEA expects a number of these cuts to be proffered by the recalibration committee after the consultants provide their recommendation, especially considering that the vast majority of the committee are Freedom Caucus members or are aligned with their policy positions on education. The consultants that the state has hired to conduct the recalibration, Picus Odden & Associates, are the same consultants who were hired for all of the most recent recalibration efforts, except for 2017. The consultants laid out their work plan, discussed the findings from the preliminary professional judgement panels, defined what is an “evidence-based model,” and worked to ensure that the components of the WEA school finance litigation are implemented in their recommendation. The next recalibration meeting is scheduled for Sept. 4 and 5 in Casper. It will be crucial to not only maintain our current public engagement on this and other education issues, but to grow this engagement. If you haven’t done so, please take two minutes to complete WEA’s pledge to support public schools … and ask others to do the same! Voucher Program Litigation On June 13, the WEA filed litigation against State Superintendent Megan Degenfelder, Treasurer Curt Meier, and the State of Wyoming for violating the Wyoming State Constitution with their voucher program. You can read all about it here. The court will hear arguments regarding the preliminary injunction on Friday, June 27. Please know that WEA will always fight for our public schools, students and families, and education professionals! Upcoming Legislative Meetings All of these meetings are scheduled to take place in Casper. More details can be found here. Aug. 12: Judiciary. Potentially taking up the obscenities bill. Not yet known if they will remove the protections for educators and librarians, but it is expected. Public testimony will be vital! Aug. 20: School Facilities. Issues include compliance with the school finance litigation; expected to start work on defining and implementing a suitability standard for schools. Aug. 21-22: Revenue. They are kicking around the idea of eliminating property taxes. This would be catastrophic for education and would be reminiscent of Kansas’ disastrous “March to Zero.” Aug. 21-22: Education. Important topics are the potential Teachers’ Bill of Rights, mental health, and recruitment and retention. One more event On Saturday, July 19, WEA – in partnership with other labor organizations – will host a “Labor Party in the Park” at Healing Park in Casper. The event will have food trucks, live music and an opportunity for community members from across the state to come together, celebrate labor in Wyoming, and create new and long-lasting connections. In solidarity! |
