Lawmakers Insistent About Need For Public Input On School Funding

Wyoming spends significantly more on education than most states. The national average is around $12,000 per student each year, while Wyoming spends over $19,000. But Wyoming’s funding deficit has caused policy makers to question what exactly the state is paying for, and if the high price tag is required to provide a quality education.

On Tuesday, legislators on the Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration met for the first time with APA Consulting — a firm contracted to help re-evaluate the state’s educational program and funding model.

APA has to move fast. The committee needs a recommendation going into the 2018 Budget Session. Their work plan includes looking at how Wyoming compares to other states, and a study on how spending affects academic performance.

APA will also gather public input, which Speaker of the House Steve Harshman said is critical to the process.

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