This bill amends existing laws related to K-12 public school finance in Wyoming, specifically focusing on the calculation of routine and major maintenance payments for school districts. It increases the allowable square footage used in these calculations, raising the threshold for education space capacity from one hundred fifteen percent (115%) to one hundred thirty-five percent (135%) of the standard space level. This change will apply starting in the 2025-2026 school year and will affect how the state superintendent computes the foundation program amount for each district based on actual gross square footage of school buildings and facilities.

Additionally, the bill appropriates a total of $43.6 million for major and routine maintenance payments to school districts, with $38.1 million allocated for major maintenance and $5.5 million for routine maintenance, both for the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. These appropriations are intended to support the amendments made in the bill and are designated for use solely for these purposes, with any unspent funds reverting to the state by the end of the fiscal year. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
25LSO-0155 v1.0: 21-13-309, 21-15-109