2025
STATE OF WYOMING
25LSO-03041
HJ0003
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. HJ0003
Support for rural schools.
Sponsored by: Representative(s) Sherwood, Andrew, Harshman
and Strock and Senator(s) Crum, Gierau,
Hutchings and Pearson
A JOINT RESOLUTION
for
1 A JOINT RESOLUTION in support of rural schools in Wyoming.
2
3 WHEREAS, rural schools in Wyoming have been integral to
4 educating our children and are important for keeping rural
5 ranch families together, promoting social cohesion and
6 preserving community identity; and
7
8 WHEREAS, our agriculture producers and ranchers play a key
9 role in Wyoming's economy by feeding families, helping
10 neighbors and preserving our heritage; and
11
12 WHEREAS, Article 7, Section 1 of Wyoming's constitution
13 guarantees that all children in Wyoming have the right to a
14 free public education, stating "The legislature shall provide 2025STATE OF WYOMING25LSO-0304
HJ0003
2
1 for the establishment and maintenance of a complete and
2 uniform system of public instruction, embracing free
3 elementary schools of every needed kind and grade, a
4 university with such technical and professional departments
5 as the public good may require and the means of the state
6 allow, and such other institutions as may be necessary"; and
7
8 WHEREAS, The Wyoming Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the
9 constitutional mandate to finance a high quality and
10 equitable education for every Wyoming student; and
11
12 WHEREAS, Wyoming has fifteen (15) schools with three (3) rooms
13 or less that educate one hundred two (102) students in grades
14 K-8 throughout twelve (12) different school districts in
15 Wyoming.
16
17
18
19
20
21 find that our constitution requires equal access to education
22 delivered from free elementary schools, regardless of size
23 and location. 2025STATE OF WYOMING25LSO-0304
HJ0003
3
1
2That the members of the Wyoming Legislature
3 acknowledge the rural nature of our state, the historic use
4 of rural schools and the need to financially support the
5 establishment and maintenance of rural schools in Wyoming.
6
7 That the members of the Wyoming Legislature
8 commit to ensuring rural and isolated families do not have to
9 fight to gain access to an education for their children and
10 that keeping families together and providing them with a
11 complete and uniform system of public instruction is in the
12 public's best interest.
13
14 That the Secretary of State of Wyoming
15 transmit copies of this resolution to the Department of
16 Education for distribution to all school districts in
17 Wyoming.
18
19 (END)