HB 115: School Finance – Amendments
2007 General Session

Sponsor: Joint Education Interim Committee

HB 115 addressed a number of matters relating to the financing of public schools in Wyoming. The bill extended the summer school, extended day school, and instructional facilitator programs that are currently outside the school funding model for the 2007-2008 school year. It clarified the enrichment program part of the extended day program, required recommendations on future continuation of these programs, and directed the Wyoming Department of Education to recommend permanent funding for these programs for consideration by the 2008 Legislature.

HB 115 continued the study initiated in 2006 to review and evaluate the at-risk program and the strategies associated with the program, including the use of alternative schools as part of a school district’s at-risk program strategy, with the Department of Education to report its recommendations to the Joint Education Interim Committee by October 2007. A moratorium was placed on development of new alternative schools until the at-risk review was complete, with funding for existing alternative schools continued.

A task force was created to review and recommend state policy for distance education programs.

HB 115 included an appropriation of $260,000 from the school foundation fund, with $200,000 going toward the at-risk program review and $60,000 going toward the task force review of distance education programs.

Both the House and Senate unanimously passed HB 115.

Engrossed