The Wyoming State legislature took on education administration reform during its session Jan. 16 when it passed a bill removing the state superintendent as the head of the Department of Education.
The legislation removes the state superintendent as the head of the Department of Education and will now allow the governor to appoint a director, according to the Associated Press. Senate File 104 will grant the governor the power to choose one person from a list of three qualified candidates that is submitted by the board of education.
The current state superintendent, Cindy Hill, disapproves of the bill.
“It’s the most significant power grab, perhaps, in Wyoming’s history and the people’s vote and voice is about ready to change in education,” Hill said.
Sponsors and supporters of the bill said it will put public education into the hands of a professional administrator because the superintendent will be someone chosen from the board of education. The bill passed with a 20-10 vote, the Associated Press reported.
Education and educational facilities have been a high priority for the legislature during this session, after Gov. Matt Mead urged the legislature to make it so.
The legislature is also considering Senate File 105 which would provide funding for building projects for schools in Wyoming in 2013. The funds would come from the school capital construction account and would amount to just over $4 million. The money would be distributed to various high schools, middle schools and elementary schools throughout the state for design projects.
Design projects are just one aspect of the bill, as construction projects are also part of it. For construction projects, $170.5 million would be allocated to various schools around the state.
As a way to further career development in the state, the legislature is also considering Senate File 121, which would provide grants for career and technical training to community colleges in Wyoming.
Senate Files 105 and 121 have been introduced, but have not yet been passed.
