Wyoming Senate Advances Education Funding Recalibration Bill

Lawmakers vote to resume discussions on controversial school funding process despite concerns from teachers' union.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Wyoming Senate voted unanimously to introduce Senate File 81, a bill to resume discussions on the state's school funding recalibration process. The recalibration, required every five years, reshapes the state's education funding model. The bill's introduction comes after the House failed to pass a similar measure earlier this week, surprising some senators. While the teachers' union appreciates the interim work, they say the current bill does not adequately reflect the real costs facing public schools.

Why it matters

The recalibration process is constitutionally required and aims to ensure Wyoming's school funding model is equitable and sufficient. However, the bill has faced pushback from the teachers' union, which argues it would decrease classroom funding and increase class sizes. This debate highlights the ongoing challenges in properly funding public education in the state.

The details

Senate File 81 is a mirror bill to one that failed in the Wyoming House earlier this week. The 95-page, $1.8 billion bill was unanimously approved by the Select School Finance Recalibration Committee after hearing testimony from educators, parents, and community members. While the committee focused on issues like average daily membership formulas, teacher salaries, and educational block grant funding, the teachers' union says more work is needed on mandates for school resource officers, nutrition, and mental health counselors.

  • The Senate voted unanimously to introduce SF 81 on Friday, February 19, 2026.
  • The House failed to pass a similar bill, HB 110, earlier this week.

The players

Sen. Tim Salazar

A Republican senator from Riverton who introduced SF 81, expressing surprise at the House's earlier vote to kill the similar bill.

Rep. Robert Wharff

A Republican representative from Evanston who made a failed motion to suspend rules and allow the House to reconsider HB 110.

Kim Amen

The president of the Wyoming Education Association, who said the current bill does not adequately reflect the real costs facing public schools.

Judge Peter Froelicher

A Laramie County District Court judge who ruled in 2025 that Wyoming had been unconstitutionally underfunding its K-12 public schools.

Rep. Scott Heiner

A Republican representative from Gillette who said the recalibration committee would tackle funding for school resource officers, school nutrition, and mental health counselors during the 2026 interim.

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What they’re saying

“Quite frankly, this was a bill on the other side. I thought we had an agreement. We had a unanimous vote coming out of the recalibration committee. And quite frankly, I'm surprised about this.”

— Sen. Tim Salazar (Wyoming Pioneer)

“Wyoming students deserve a cost-based funding model that is grounded in need.”

— Kim Amen, President, Wyoming Education Association (Wyoming Pioneer)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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