DATE:            September 10, 2002

TO:                 Members, News Media

FROM:           Dave Nelson

SUBJECT:      School Data Facilitation Discussions.

PRESS RELEASE

2002 School Finance Legislation (Original Senate File 51) required the Joint Education Interim Committee to provide a facilitated discussion of school finance data issues, with a report on discussions required to be submitted to the Committee by June 15, 2002.  Following receipt of the report at its June 18 and 19, 2002, meeting, the Committee elected to continue the facilitated discussion process on school data issues including data pertaining to school finance, the statewide education program standards, students and school district staff.  On behalf of the Committee, Senator Irene Devin and Representative Bill Stafford, Education Committee CoChairs, have contracted with Dick Gross of the Consensus Council, professional facilitation expertise, to facilitate the additional discussions on statewide educational data issues and have reassembled and expanded discussion participants.  The final session of these discussions is scheduled as follows:

Thursday and Friday

October 10 and 11, 2002

Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Building

Conference Room

777 West First

Casper, Wyoming

12:00 noon

The discussions are open to the public, but only participants will be allowed to take part in the facilitated discussions.

A list of discussion participants is attached.  Questions about these discussions should be directed to Dave Nelson, LSO.