Cindy Hill

Gov. Mead says GOP Central Committee acted too quickly judging Hill bill

Bob Beck — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:40:35 +0000

Governor Matt Mead says the Republican Central Committee acted too hastily when it approved a resolution endorsing a petition drive to repeal the state law that removed powers from State Superintendent Cindy Hill. Several members of the committee also wanted three Republican legislators who were instrumental in passing the law to leave the party. Mead says a court challenge to the law will be heard by the Supreme Court and the Wyoming Attorney General’s office is also concluding an investigation into how the Department was run in Superintendent Hill’s first two years in office.

Hill threatens to sue over libelous white paper

Bob Beck — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:52:27 +0000

A lawyer representing State Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill is threatening to sue over comments by legislators that appeared in a white paper explaining why lawmakers removed much of Hill’s power. The white paper was crafted to respond to non-legislative members of the Wyoming Republican Party who expressed concern over the law's passage. It was distributed in an email by Big Horn Representative Rosie Berger. Hill’s Attorney Robert DiLorenzo wrote Berger saying that the white paper appeared to be defamatory and he demanded that Berger provide proof fo

GOP leaders endorse superintendent law repeal

The Associated Press — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:37:35 +0000

The Wyoming Republican Party Central Committee has approved a resolution endorsing the drive to repeal the state law that took power away from the state superintendent of public instruction.

The Central Committee approved the resolution on a 40-32 vote over the weekend in Buffalo.

The action is a slap at the Republican controlled state Legislature and Republican Gov. Matt Mead who approved the law during this past legislative session.

Hill loses injunction request

Associated Press — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:30:31 +0000

State Superintendent Cindy Hill will take her case to the Wyoming Supreme Court.

Wednesday District Court Judge Thomas Campbell refused to issue a preliminary injunction and restore her powers and duties immediately. But he did send her case immediately to the Wyoming Supreme Court for further action.

Judge will rule on Superintendent Hill case next week

Associated Press — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:11:08 +0000

A district judge in Cheyenne says he will rule in a week whether to restore the powers and duties recently taken away from state schools Superintendent Cindy Hill.

Judge Thomas Campbell heard more than two hours of testimony and arguments Thursday in Hill's lawsuit challenging a new law that removed her as head of the Wyoming Education Department.

Constitution Party sponsors referendum on “Hill bill”

Chelsea Biondolillo — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:53:17 +0000

Senate File 104 – better known as the Hill Bill - passed in the legislative session that just ended. But it might be challenged in the next election if organizers of a new referendum can get enough signatures to put it on the ballot.

The bill removed some powers from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill. It also created a State Education Director that will be appointed by the governor. The Director will oversee the State Department of Education.

WY legislative session wraps up amid mixed feelings of success

Bob Beck — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:16:02 +0000

The Wyoming legislative session wrapped up Wednesday. Lawmakers leave with mixed emotions about the session. Most agree that the one thing that they will remember about the session is the vote to strip State Superintendent Cindy Hill of many of her duties. Senator Cale Case says that set the tone for the first part of the session.

“It’s been a very different session I think. That whole Senate File 104 that Cindy Hill…Department of Education bill…that was a different way to start. And I’m not sure I’ve recovered from that I think,” says Case.

Transition to new Education Director is underway

Bob Beck — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:03:49 +0000

Governor Matt Mead says he has met with employees at the State Department of Education and members of the State Board of Education to make sure there will be a smooth transition as they hire a Wyoming Education Director.

The Legislature stripped many of State Superintendent Cindy Hill’s powers, and she has been relocated to an office a block away from the Department of Education.

Mead said the State Board of Education will submit three names for the governor to consider for Director. He adds that it will be an open search.

WY House gives initial approval to bill that would remove power from Superintendent Hill

Bob Beck — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:56:56 +0000

The Wyoming House of Representatives has given initial approval to a bill that would remove key powers from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and give them to an appointed Education Director.

The House debated the bill for almost two hours. Many representatives expressed concern that the legislature was taking power away from the voters and others were concerned about how quickly the legislature is moving to pass the bill. Lyman Republican Allen Jaggi says he’s heard from constituents who share those concerns.

Bill creating an appointed Education Director position clears one more hurdle

Bob Beck — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 03:11:55 +0000

The House Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to endorse a bill that would remove duties from the State Superintendent and transfer them to an appointed Director. Lawmakers say that Superintendent Hill has not met deadlines and has delayed execution of duties such as creating education accountability programs.

Lawmakers seek to strip power from schools superintendent

Bob Beck and Willow Belden — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:28:30 +0000

The Wyoming legislature wraps up its second week today. Wyoming Public Radio's Bob Beck is covering the session and joins us now to talk about lawmakers' attempts to restructure how the state's schools are governed.

Proposed bill would make new, appointed position to run Department of Education

Irina Zhorov — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 23:42:26 +0000

The Co-Chairmen of the legislature's Joint Education Committee are sponsoring legislation to create an appointed, Cabinet-level position to administer the Department of Education. The bill would allow the Governor to appoint a director for the Education Department. It would not eliminate the superintendent position, but modify the position’s responsibilities and lessen its power. The legislature comes after tense discussions in the Capitol about Superintendent Cindy Hill’s effectiveness in her position.

But Co-sponsor Representative, Matt Teeters, says this is an old problem.

Superintendent Hill will respond to negative report before a legislative committee

Bob Beck — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:02:34 +0000

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill says she is looking forward to addressing a legislative committee next week following a report that was critical of her department.

The Legislative Service Office report said that errors and communication problems led to delays in the Department of Education’s ability to provide necessary federal information and required state accountability data. Hill says the report is inaccurate.

Districts will be granted a waiver to meet classroom size

Associated Press — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:26:56 +0000

The state Education Department has granted
20 school districts waivers from meeting a state law requiring a
16-to-1 student-teacher ratio in kindergarten through third grades.
The waivers are good for the 2012-13 school year.
State schools superintendent Cindy Hill says the 16-to-1 ratio
is challenging for some districts but she's confident all will
eventually reach the mandate that was set by the 2011 Legislature
as part its education reform initiative.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment Would Make Superintendent Appointee

Bob Beck — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:26:12 +0000

The Wyoming legislature will consider asking voters if the State Superintendent should be an appointed position instead of an elected one.

Lawmakers will consider a Joint Resolution that would place the proposed constitutional change on the ballot. If approved it would turn the State Superintendent into an appointed position by 2015.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Kermit Brown says there is a benefit to having an expert run the office instead of a politician, especially with the importance lawmakers have placed on the Department of Education.