Wyoming Lawmakers Vote To Oust Education Chief

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A bill making major changes in the duties of the Wyoming superintendent of public instruction has passed the state Legislature.

On Friday, the Senate proposal passed the House on 39-20 vote and the Senate then concurred with the House version on a 21-9 vote. The measure now goes to Gov. Matt Mead, who has not explicitly endorsed or rejected the bill.

The bill would immediately replace the elected superintendent as head of the state Education Department with a director appointed by the governor. The superintendent would remain an elected state officer with some education duties.

Proponents say the bill would improve delivery of K-12 education and save the state's school reform effort. Opponents are concerned about increasing the governor's power and diminishing voter influence on education policy.