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New Schools Chief Takes Issue With Bill That Would Get Rid Of Her Job

 As Republican Jillian Balow takes the reigns at the Wyoming Department of Education, lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment that would eliminate her position.

If the bill is passed through the Legislature, voters in 2016 would be asked if they’d like to do away with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction as an elected role. Lawmakers would be left to come up with a new structure for governing schools instead.

Consultants hired by lawmakers to study Wyoming’s K-12 education governance structure reported that Wyoming’s current system causes serious tensions between the Superintendent, lawmakers and the State Board of Education.

Balow says, while those tensions are real, they don't impact student achievement. 

“Well, certainly this is going to be an issue that will be taking front and center at least for a few days during the session,” says Balow. “And I think it’s unfortunate, because this is really an issue that’s grounded in issue that effects the grown-ups—the adults—not student outcomes.”

Balow was sworn in as Wyoming’s new schools chief last week. She takes the place of Cindy Hill, whose tenure was defined by tension—including a failed attempt by the Governor and lawmakers to strip her of her authority.

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