Staff 2-1, 2016
The State schools chief says now is not the time to panic. The State of Wyoming is facing large budget shortfalls and cuts are being made to all State departments. Jillian Balow, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, says cuts in education funding are commensurate with cuts being felt by all departments. Balow says now is not the time to panic over proposed cutbacks.
One of the primary factors in the budget shortfall is a downturn in energy prices. The State also uses coal lease money to help fund school construction. Balow says it’s time to start looking at alternate forms of funding.
The legislature will consider the budget for the next two years when the budget session starts on February 8.