Wyo. House Advances Schools Superintendent Bill

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A bill that changes who runs the Wyoming Department of Education has survived a second round of floor debate in the state House of Representatives.

Senate File 104 replaces the elected superintendent of public instruction with a director appointed by the governor as head of the education agency. The superintendent will remain an elected state officer and will retain some education duties.

The bill passed preliminary votes on Wednesday and Thursday. It faces one more round of debate Friday. The measure has already passed the state Senate.

Proponents say the bill would improve delivery of K-12 education in Wyoming and save the state's school reform effort.

Opponents are concerned about increasing the governor's power and diminishing voter influence on education policy.