House Approves Education Dept. Changes, Bill Goes Back to Senate

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The House of Representative has approved making major changes in the duties of the Wyoming superintendent of public instruction.

Senate File 104 passed on a 39-20 vote Friday. The measure goes back to the Senate to see if senators concur with the minor changes made by representatives.

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.

The proposal has become one of the most contested issues in the session.

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.