Some Lawmakers Want Bigger K-12 Classes

DOUGLAS, Wyo. (AP) — Some lawmakers are suggesting changes in Wyoming's K-12 public school student-to-teacher ratio because of the state budget crisis.

Currently, districts are required to keep classes at 16 students in kindergarten through third grade unless they receive a waiver from the state.

During a Joint Revenue Committee meeting Wednesday in Douglas, Republican Rep. Mike Madden, of Buffalo, raised the possibility of increasing the number of pupils to 20 or 24.

Madden says bigger classes would save on school construction and operations.

However, class size is not a matter for the Revenue committee to decide.

Republican Sen. Bill Landen, of Casper, is a member of the Revenue committee and the Joint Education Committee. He says he'll bring it up with the Education Committee.