The common thread in presentations given to state legislators on Wednesday and Thursday: "Don't cut our funding."

The national recession has resulted in lowered tax revenue for school operations and construction. The school foundation program, which funds K-12 schools in the state, is predicted to face a $37.3 million shortfall after the 2011-12 biennium.

"I don't think it's a problem," Rep. Del McComie, R-Lander, co-chair of the Joint Education Interim Committee, said. "I think it's a challenge."

The state Department of Education asked for continued support for many programs but also demonstrated areas that could be trimmed back. Many of those programs were first-time programs outside of the state's funding model, implemented in a trial basis.

"We like all these programs, and in a good year we'd get recommendations for all of them," Mary Kay Hill, of the Wyoming Department of Education, said.

Legislators stuck by the 100 percent reimbursement for transportation and special education. Maintenance and operation costs for daily transportation and activity trips cost $60 million. Activity busing could be trimmed to maintain costs against rising fuel and equipment prices, said Leeds Pickering, director of health, safety and nutrition for the state Department of Education.

The school athletic directors and the Wyoming High School Activities Association decide where children are bused, not transportation. Pickering said districts are doing their best to reduce costs and increase efficiency. The activities association and transportation should look at the schedule and see if there are ways to reduce miles, said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jim McBride said.

While they were in Casper, several legislators met with Natrona County School District staff members and trustees. Superintendent Joel Dvorak said the district has worked hard to align with the state funding model and has begun to see positive results.

"Don't mess with the model," Dvorak said. "Worst comes to worst, let us figure out how to work it out."

The Legislature is due to recalibrate the funding model at the end of next year's session. The current model was developed in 2005, using school finance consultants.

"The purpose of the model is to improve or define basket of goods or services -- philosophy of funding things outside the model is that we're not sure if it will contribute to educational basket of goods and services," Sen. Mike Massie, D-Laramie, said. "We consider during recalibration whether to put it in the model."

Among services mentioned for inclusion were instructional facilitators and subsidies for driver education and food service operations.The committee will meet again on Jan. 19 in Casper.

Reach education reporter Jackie Borchardt at (307) 266-0593 or at jackie.borchardt@trib.com. Read her education blog at tribtown.trib.com/reportcard