Education funding amendments.

WORKING DRAFT
2012
STATE OF
WYOMING
12LSO-0255

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
NO.
HJ0005

Education funding amendments.

Sponsored by:
Representative(s) Kroeker, Brechtel, Edmonds and Wallis and Senator(s) Hicks and Jennings

A BILL

for

A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing to amend the Wyoming Constitution relating to education; providing that the legislature may appropriate monies for any appropriate educational program; removing the prohibition on providing funds to schools not under the absolute control of the state.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
WYOMING
,
two-thirds of all the members of the two houses, voting separately, concurring therein:

Section 1.

The following proposal to amend Wyoming Constitution, Article 7, Sections 1 and 8 are proposed for submission to the electors of the State of
Wyoming
at the next general election for approval or rejection to become
valid as a part of the Constitution if ratified by a majority of the electors at the election:

Article 7, Section 1.

Legislature to provide for public schools.

The legislature shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a complete and uniform system of public instruction, embracing free elementary schools of every needed kind and grade, a university with such technical and professional departments as the public good may require and the means of the state allow, and such other institutions as may be necessary.

Notwithstanding article 1, section 19 and article 3, section 36 of this constitution, the legislature may appropriate monies for education to be used for any age appropriate, accredited or generally accepted educational program.

Article 7, Section 8.

Distribution of school funds.

Provision shall be made by general law for the equitable allocation of such income among all school districts in the state. But no appropriation shall be made from said fund to any district for the year in which a school has not been
maintained for at least three (3) months
.
; nor shall any portion of any public school fund ever be used to support or assist any private school, or any school, academy, seminary, college or other institution of learning controlled by any church or sectarian organization or religious denomination whatsoever
.

Section 2.

That the Secretary of State shall endorse the following statement on the proposed amendment:

The adoption of this amendment will allow the legislature to appropriate funds for any appropriate educational program. This amendment would remove the prohibition on providing funds to schools that are not under the control of the state. It would also remove the state constitutional prohibition on providing state funds for educational programs of private schools or institutions of learning controlled by churches or sectarian organizations. All such state actions would still be subject to applicable federal constitutional limitations.

(END)

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HJ0005