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CHEYENNE (AP) — Wyoming lawmakers will hear testimony on a comprehensive K-12 school funding proposal on Monday night.

The hearing on House Bill 236 will be held at Cheyenne East High School auditorium, across from the temporary Capitol facilities, in order to accommodate an expected large crowd.

According to the Associated Press, public comment will be limited to two minutes per person and those wishing to address the committee are strongly encouraged to prepare written statements for their reference when testifying. People can also submit public comment on the Legislature’s website through Feb. 6.

According to an AP article, lawmakers and Gov. Matt Mead have cut state spending significantly over the past couple years but per-pupil spending continues to top $17,000 per year. Only Vermont, Alaska and New York spend more, according to Republican Sen. Charlie Scott, of Casper.

While the 53-page bill does deal directly with financing for schools is also looks for ways to reduce spending, including:

—Shortening the school year from 185 days to 180 days.

—No new alternative school shall be approved under this subparagraph during the period beginning March 15, 2017 and ending June 30, 2019. Worland High School is in the process of researching the possibility of opening an alternative school and preparing an application to the Wyoming Department of Education.

Superintendent David Nicholas, WHS Principal Kevin Smith and Special Educator Director Kim Sanford visited three area alternative schools. They are working on developing an application form and interview process for students.

Smith said, “I think to keep in mind when talking about alternative schools, I think our biggest priority is to have an environment for kids who are at risk for dropping out. I mean that’s essentially, what you’re looking at, the goal we have in mind.”

At the end of a presentation at the regular board meeting Jan. 23, Nicholas and Smith requested that they be allowed to continue to move forward and bring back the application that needs to go to the Department of Education at the next meeting.

The board was in support of moving forward with Joe Bishop stating, “This is something we need to consider. Students learn in a variety of ways.”

—Transportation costs would remain at current levels and districts would be prohibited from purchasing or leasing any new buses “unless the district applies to the department of education and the department determines that an emergency exists necessitating the purchase or lease of a new bus.”

—Increase state sales tax from 4 percent to 4.5 percent if the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account (rainy day fund) drops below $500 million.

Due to press schedules and the length of Monday’s meeting, look for a complete wrap-up of the Monday meeting in Wednesday’s issue of the Daily News.