With funding, Wyoming would repay districts for some meal program costs

Wyoming's education department would repay districts for eligible meal program costs. Each district's payment would be based on 33% of its eligible costs from the prior school year for meal programs serving enrolled students. Lawmakers must set aside money for the payments. If statewide approved costs exceed that amount, the department would reduce payments proportionately. Major building work, unrelated costs, and food for people other than students would not count, except when that food is needed to run the student program. These payments would be added to regular school funding. The payment rule would take effect July 1, 2027.

Wyoming would set aside $19.4 million for district meal program payments. The money would come from the public school foundation program account and go to the education department. The money could be used only for these payments. Money left unspent and uncommitted on June 30, 2028, would return under state law. The bill states an intent to double this amount in the next two-year budget; it does not set aside that later money. The set-aside would run from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028.

Districts would report eligible costs, and the education department would review reports and make funded payments. These rules would apply to Wyoming school districts' eligible meal program costs from the prior school year. Districts would have to document costs using the department's accounting rules. The department could audit reports and correct reported costs. Payments would depend on lawmakers setting aside money. Districts would report by August 15, and the department would pay by October 15 each year.