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SF0104 • 2013

Education-state administration.

AN ACT relating to government administration; establishing the position of director of the department of education by statute; providing duties of the director of the department of education; transferring duties from the state superintendent to the director of the state department of education; requiring reporting; providing for transition; providing an appropriation; authorizing position; and providing for an effective date.

Budget Education Taxes
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Senator Coe
Last action
2013-01-29
Official status
enrolled
Effective date
1/29/2013

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SF0104H2001

2nd reading • JAGGI

Failed

Plain English: Failed 2nd reading by JAGGI

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
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SF0104H2002

2nd reading • GINGERY

Failed

Plain English: Failed 2nd reading by GINGERY

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SF0104H3001

3rd reading • TEETERS

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted 3rd reading by TEETERS

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
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SF0104H3002

3rd reading • TEETERS

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted 3rd reading by TEETERS

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
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SF0104H3003

3rd reading • ZWONITZ,DN

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted 3rd reading by ZWONITZ,DN

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SF0104H3004

3rd reading • GINGERY

Withdrawn

Plain English: Withdrawn 3rd reading by GINGERY

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SF0104H3005

3rd reading • TEETERS

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted 3rd reading by TEETERS

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
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SF0104H3006

3rd reading • JAGGI

Failed, Corrected

Plain English: Failed, Corrected 3rd reading by JAGGI

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
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SF0104HW001

Committee of the Whole • PATTON

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted Committee of the Whole by PATTON

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
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SF0104HW002

Committee of the Whole • PATTON

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted Committee of the Whole by PATTON

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
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SF0104HW003

Committee of the Whole • SOMMERS

Failed

Plain English: Failed Committee of the Whole by SOMMERS

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
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SF0104S2001

2nd reading • SCHIFFER

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted 2nd reading by SCHIFFER

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
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SF0104S2002

2nd reading • MEIER

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted 2nd reading by MEIER

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
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SF0104S2003

2nd reading • MEIER

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted 2nd reading by MEIER

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0104S2004

2nd reading • MEIER

Withdrawn

Plain English: Withdrawn 2nd reading by MEIER

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0104S2005

2nd reading • PERKINS

Failed

Plain English: Failed 2nd reading by PERKINS

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
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SF0104S3001

3rd reading • MEIER

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted 3rd reading by MEIER

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0104S3002

3rd reading • MEIER

Failed

Plain English: Failed 3rd reading by MEIER

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0104S3003

3rd reading • MEIER

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted 3rd reading by MEIER

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0104S3004

3rd reading • MEIER

Failed

Plain English: Failed 3rd reading by MEIER

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0104SS001

Standing Committee • BEBOUT

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted Standing Committee by BEBOUT

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2013-01-29 LSO

    Assigned Chapter Number

  2. 2013-01-29 Governor

    Governor Signed SEA0001

  3. 2013-01-25 House

    H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0001

  4. 2013-01-25 Senate

    S President Signed SEA No. 0001

  5. 2013-01-25 LSO

    Assigned Number SEA0001

  6. 2013-01-25 Senate

    S Did Concur

  7. 2013-01-25 Senate

    S Received for Concurrence

  8. 2013-01-25 House

    H Passed 3rd Reading

  9. 2013-01-25 House

    Amendment Failed

  10. 2013-01-25 House

    Amendment Adopted

  11. 2013-01-25 House

    Amendment Adopted

  12. 2013-01-25 House

    Amendment Adopted

  13. 2013-01-25 House

    Amendment Adopted

  14. 2013-01-25 House

    Hobjection to Motion to Lay Back Pursuant to HR 7-3 - Zwonitzer, Dan

  15. 2013-01-25 House

    H Motion to Lay Back Pursuant to HR 7-3 - Gingery

  16. 2013-01-24 House

    H Passed 2nd Reading

  17. 2013-01-24 House

    Amendment Failed

  18. 2013-01-24 House

    Amendment Failed

  19. 2013-01-23 House

    H Passed CoW

  20. 2013-01-23 House

    Amendment Failed

  21. 2013-01-23 House

    Amendment Adopted

  22. 2013-01-23 House

    H Amendments Adopted

  23. 2013-01-23 House

    Amendment Adopted

  24. 2013-01-23 House

    H Placed on General File

  25. 2013-01-23 House

    H02 Recommended Do Pass

  26. 2013-01-18 House

    H Introduced and Referred to H02

  27. 2013-01-17 House

    H Received for Introduction

  28. 2013-01-16 Senate

    S Passed 3rd Reading

  29. 2013-01-16 Senate

    Amendment Failed

  30. 2013-01-16 Senate

    Amendment Adopted

  31. 2013-01-16 Senate

    Amendment Failed

  32. 2013-01-16 Senate

    Amendment Adopted

  33. 2013-01-15 Senate

    S Passed 2nd Reading

  34. 2013-01-15 Senate

    Amendment Failed

  35. 2013-01-15 Senate

    Amendment Adopted

  36. 2013-01-15 Senate

    Amendment Adopted

  37. 2013-01-15 Senate

    Amendment Adopted

  38. 2013-01-14 Senate

    S Passed CoW

  39. 2013-01-14 Senate

    S Amendments Adopted

  40. 2013-01-14 Senate

    Amendment Adopted

  41. 2013-01-14 Senate

    S Placed on General File

  42. 2013-01-14 Senate

    S02 Recommended Amend and Do Pass

  43. 2013-01-11 Senate

    S Rereferred to S02

  44. 2013-01-11 Senate

    S Placed on General File

  45. 2013-01-11 Senate

    S04 Recommended Do Pass

  46. 2013-01-10 Senate

    S Introduced and Referred to S04

  47. 2013-01-10 Senate

    S Received for Introduction

  48. 2013-01-09 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Official Summary Text

Bill No.: <billno> Drafter: <drafterinit>

Bill No.:
SF0104
Drafter:

TH

LSO No.:
13LSO-0083
Effective Date:

Immediate

Enrolled Act No.:
SEA0001

Chapter No.:
CH0001

Prime Sponsor:
Senator Coe

Catch Title:
Education-state administration.

Subject:
Modifying
the duties of the state superintendent and creation of the director of the
state department of education.

Summary/Major
Elements:

Establishes
a director of the state department of education to be appointed by the governor
from a list of three (3) names submitted by the state board of education.

o

Director
serves at the pleasure of the governor and may be removed by him under the
provisions of W.S. 9-1-202;

o

Provides
for the appointment of an interim director immediately.

Delegates
existing and specified duties to the director including assessment, school
finance, accountability, education data, and federal programs.

Maintains
the role and responsibility of the state superintendent for the general
supervision of public schools as prescribed by law.

o

Duties
include a report to the legislature on the general status of public schools,
provision of professional development for teachers via regional workshops and
school safety responsibilities.

Provides
for immediate transfer of all divisions, agencies, programs, positions,
personnel, property, appropriated funds and functions of the state department
of education to the interim director.

Requires
the enforcement of any lawful policies, contracts, or obligations of the state
superintendent by the director upon transfer.

Requires
the review of personnel changes by the interim director that were made by the
superintendent 60 days prior to the effective date of the act and approval of
the governor for any personnel changes proposed by the interim director upon
the transfer of duties.

Department
of Administration and Information tasked with reviewing all state department of
education authorized positions and appropriated funds and submitting a list to
the governor by November 1, 2013, of all positions and funds providing services
related to duties transferred to the director. The listing is to identify
source of position funding and determine impact on funding sources of positions
not wholly funded by state general fund.

JAC
to review position lists provided to governor and forward necessary funding and
budget modifications to effectuate the transfer through the 2014 budget bill.

Status
report on transfer due to governor, JEC, JAC and Select Education
Accountability Committee by December 1, 2013.

State
Superintendent required to submit budget for the biennium commencing July 1,
2014, for positions and funds determined by A&I to remain with the state
superintendents functions.

Comments:

Multiple
reports required.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
WORKING DRAFT

ORIGINAL SENATE
FILE

NO.
0104

ENROLLED ACT NO. 1, SENATE

SIXTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2013 GENERAL SESSION

AN ACT relating to government administration; establishing the position of director of the department of education by statute; providing duties of the director of the department of education; amending duties of and transferring specified duties from the state superintendent to the director of the state department of education; requiring reporting; providing for transition; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.
W.S. 21
‑
1
‑
104 is created to read:

21
‑
1
‑
10
4
.

Director of department of education; appointment.

(a)

The governor shall appoint a person as the director of the state department of education
from
a list of three (3) names of qualified candidates submitted by the state board of education,

who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and may be removed by him as provided in W.S. 9
‑
1
‑
202. The director shall at minimum, hold a master's degree in business, public or education administration, or other relevant advanced degree from an accredited higher education institution, have a minimum of ten (10) years of management or administrative experience in education, government or business, provide credentials demonstrating exceptional accomplishment in previous employment, and provide evidence of problem solving skills, organizational skills, education assessment and accountability experience and knowledge of statistical analysis, data management, school finance and possess effective communication skills. The director shall carry out the duties prescribed by W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
202 and other duties as may be prescribed by law. The director's salary shall be determined by the governor. The appointment under this subsection shall be with the advice and consent of the senate in accordance with W.S. 28
‑
12
‑
101 through 28
‑
12
‑
103.

(b)

The director shall serve as the administrative head and chief executive officer of the state department of education.

Section 2.

W.S. 9
‑
1
‑
513(b)(i) and (c), 21
‑
1
‑
103(a) by creating a new paragraph (iii), 21
‑
2
‑
104, 21
‑
2
‑
105, 21
‑
2
‑
201, 21
‑
2
‑
202(a)(intro), (i), (ix), (x), (xix)(intro), (H), (xx), (xxx) and (b) through (e), 21
‑
2
‑
203(a), (c)(intro), (iv), (viii), (d)(intro), (e)(intro) and (ii)(intro), 21
‑
2
‑
204(f)(intro) and (iv) through (viii), 21
‑
2
‑
301(a) and (c), 21
‑
2
‑
304(a)(i), (v)(intro), (vi), (b)(ii) and (xvii), 21
‑
2
‑
306, 21
‑
2
‑
502(a), 21
‑
2
‑
701(a)(ii), 21
‑
2
‑
703(a)(intro), (b)(iii) and (c), 21
‑
2
‑
801(a)(intro) and (b), 21
‑
2
‑
802(m), 21
‑
3
‑
110(a)(i), (v), (xxii), (xxviii), (xxix) and (xxxi)(intro), 21
‑
3
‑
117(a)(i) and (ii), 21
‑
3
‑
314(a)(intro), 21
‑
3
‑
401(d), 21
‑
4
‑
401(b), 21
‑
4
‑
601(b) and (d), 21
‑
6
‑
210(a)(i), 21
‑
6
‑
219(a) and (b), 21
‑
13
‑
101(a)(xiv), 21
‑
13
‑
102(e), 21
‑
13
‑
306(b), 21
‑
13
‑
307(a)(ii)(B), (iii), (iv) and (b), 21
‑
13
‑
309(m)(intro), (v)(intro), (B)(III) and (vi)(intro), 21
‑
13
‑
310(b), 21
‑
13
‑
312(a)(intro) and (i), 21
‑
13
‑
313(a) through (c) and (g), 21
‑
15
‑
113(a)(intro), 21
‑
17
‑
201, 21
‑
18
‑
201(c), 21
‑
22
‑
103(a)(i)(intro), (ii), (v) and (b) and 31
‑
5
‑
118(a) are amended to read:

9
‑
1
‑
513.

School finance audits and management studies.

(b)

The school finance section within the department established under subsection (a) of this section shall:

(i)

Conduct periodic audits of each school district pertaining to data required to be submitted to the department of education under law and by rule and regulation of the
state superintendent of public instruction

director of the department of education
for purposes of implementing and operating the "school finance system" as defined under W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
203(a). Audits under this paragraph shall include audits of systems supporting data collection and shall be performed on each school district at least once within each three (3) year period;

(c)

School districts and the department of education shall provide access to all data and other information and shall cooperate with the school finance section as necessary to implement this section and to conduct audits and reports required under this section. In addition, each district shall within thirty (30) days following receipt of a copy of the audit or report, file a written response to each audit or report conducted on that district with the department. The
state superintendent

director
shall
on behalf of the department of education and
within thirty (30) days following receipt of a report or audit on the department, file a written response to the report with the department of audit.

21
‑
1
‑
103.

"State superintendent", "state board" and "director" defined.

(a)

As used in this act, unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise specifically noted:

(iii)

"Director" means the director of the state department of education.

21
‑
2
‑
104.

State department of education established; personnel; facilities.

There shall be a separate and distinct state department designated as the state department of education which shall be under the supervision of the
state superintendent

director
and consist of the
state superintendent

director
and such divisions, staffed by personnel and provided with facilities the
state superintendent

director
determines necessary to assist him in the proper and efficient discharge of his respective duties
as approved by the governor
.
The director shall serve as the chief administrative officer of the department. All duties of the
state
department of education shall be
under the control of
the director
.

21
‑
2
‑
105.

Delegation of duties of director.

The
state superintendent

director
may delegate ministerial and nondiscretionary duties within the
state

department of education.

ARTICLE 2
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

AND DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

21
‑
2
‑
201.

General supervision of public schools entrusted to state superintendent.

(a)

The general supervision of the public schools shall be entrusted to the state superintendent
who shall be the administrative head and chief executive officer of the department of education

as prescribed by law
.

(b)

Not later than October 15 each year, the state superintendent shall prepare a report on the general status of all public schools for the legislature.
The report shall include the quality of education including any proposed improvement to address any shortfalls, the relevance of education, the measurement of achievement of educational goals, the improvement of learning and any suggested innovations in education.
The state superintendent
may
obtain information or data necessary for completion of the report
through the liaison appointed by the director under W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
202(b)
.
This shall include, as necessary, copies of the fiscal reports submitted by clerks of school districts under W.S. 21
‑
3
‑
117.

(c)

In addition to any other duties assigned by law, the state superintendent shall:

(i)

Adopt
rules and regulations, consistent with this
title
, as may be necessary for the proper and effective general supervision of the public schools. Nothing in this section shall be construed to give the state superintendent rulemaking power or authority in any area specifically delegated to the state board, the state department of education or the director;

(ii)

Administer and implement the "teacher of the year program," which shall include an unbiased, objective process to annually select the individual most deserving of the award and capable of serving on the board under W.S. 21
‑
22
‑
103;

(iii)

By rule and regulation establish requirements for school district policies and training regarding the use of seclusion and restraint in schools as required under W.S. 21
‑
3
‑
110(a)(xxx
i
). The state superintendent shall review the policy of each district for compliance with the requirements of W.S. 21
‑
3
‑
110(a)(xxx
i
) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this paragraph. If the state superintendent determines that the policy is not in compliance under this paragraph the superintendent shall direct the board of trustees to revise the policy and shall, upon request, assist the boar
d in the adoption of the policy;

(iv)

To assist local school districts in developing protocols under W.S. 21
‑
3
‑
110(a)(xxx
ii
) and develop model protocols for addressing risks associated with concussions and other head injuries resulting from athletic injuries. No district shall be required to adopt
any part of the model protocols;

(v)

In consultation with the department of environmental quality and school districts, establish guidelines for school districts for the proper and safe storage and disposal of toxic chemicals and other hazardous substances used by schools in education programs;

(vi)

Identify professional development needs for Wyoming schools and teachers based upon the analysis of the quality indicators specified under subsection (b) of this section, establish a plan to address the professional development needs, contract with necessary expertise to provide professional development to Wyoming certified teachers and conduct up to five (5) regional workshops each year providing the identified professional development needs.

21
‑
2
‑
202.

Duties of the director.

(a)

In addition to any other duties assigned by law, the
state superintendent

director
shall:

(i)

Make rules and regulations, consistent with this code, as may be necessary or desirable for the proper and effective administration of the state educational system and the statewide education accountability system pursuant to W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
204. Nothing in this section shall be construed to give the
state superintendent

director
rulemaking power in any area specifically
entrusted

delegated
to the state board

or the state superintendent
;

(ix)

Print and distribute to local boards of trustees, local school administrators and other persons and agencies within or without the state the school laws, regulations, forms, necessary reports of the state board, state committee, state superintendent
, the director
and state department. The
state superintendent

director
may require the payment of reasonable costs of publication, handling and postage by persons or agencies outside the state requesting publications and shall deposit all payments into the general fund;

(x)

Promulgate rules for the acceptance and disbursement of federal funds apportioned to the state for school lunch, milk and other commodities distribution programs. For purposes of these programs, the
state superintendent

director
may enter into agreements, employ personnel, direct disbursement of funds in accordance with federal law to be used by districts to operate the programs along with funds from gifts and the sale of school lunches or other commodities, assist in the training of personnel in the programs and accept gifts in connection with the programs. Districts shall maintain records and report to the
state superintendent

director
in accordance with rules promulgated under this paragraph, but accounts and records need not be preserved more than five (5) years. The
state superintendent

director
shall audit and conduct reviews and inspections of accounts, records and operations of programs to ensure effective administration and compliance with applicable law and rules. To the extent funds are available, the
state superintendent

director
shall conduct studies to determine methods to improve and expand school lunch programs and to promote nutritional education in the schools, including appraising nutritive benefits of school lunch programs. For school lunch program funds, the
state superintendent

director
shall utilize a revolving account with a balance of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) to cover any operating expenditures incurred by the school lunch division of the department under 7 U.S.C. section 1431, the United States department of agriculture commodity program offered to the state and accepted by the participating schools and institutions. The schools and institutions shall be billed for their share pro rata of transportation and allied charges with the receipts to be used in replenishing the revolving account. If the United States department of agriculture removes all commodities from this program, the revolving account shall be discontinued and the balance shall be transferred to the general fund;

(xix)

Serve as the
director of the

state agency to accept all federal funds for aid to education, except as provided in W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
307 and 21
‑
2
‑
601, and as the agency to administer or supervise the administration of any state plan established or federal funds subject to federal requirements. Each acceptance is restricted in its effect to the specific situation involved. The
state superintendent

director
may:

(H)

Take any other action as may be necessary to secure the benefits of the federal statute to the schools of this state. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as conferring any authority to the
state superintendent

director
with respect to the University of Wyoming or the various community colleges of the state
.
;

and

(xx)

In cooperation with the state board, the Wyoming community college commission, University of Wyoming, public service commission, department of transportation, department of enterprise technology services, public libraries, school district boards of trustees, classroom teachers and other appropriate groups identified by the
superintendent

director
, develop and implement a statewide education technology plan which shall address staff training, curriculum integration and network connectivity in and between schools, communities and between the state and the world, and which shall have as its goal the provision of equal access to educational instruction and information. The statewide technology education plan may include telecommunications services provided by the department of enterprise technology services pursuant to W.S. 9
‑
2
‑
2906(g). Not later than January 10 of each year and with the assistance of participating agencies, an annual report on the status of the statewide education technology plan shall be prepared and issued by the
state superintendent

director
;

(xxx)

Effective school year 2012-2013 and each school year thereafter, in consultation and coordination with local school districts, by rule and regulation establish a program of administering a standardized, curriculum based, achievement college entrance examination, computer-adaptive college placement assessment and a job skills assessment test selected by the
state superintendent

director
to all students in the eleventh and twelfth grades throughout the state in accordance with this paragraph. The examinations and tests selected by the
state superintendent

director
, shall be administered throughout the United States and shall be relied upon by institutions of higher education. The college entrance examination shall at a minimum test in the areas of English, reading, writing, mathematics and science for grade eleven (11). The jobs skills assessment test shall at a minimum test in the areas of applied math, reading for information and locating information. The
state superintendent
director

shall pay all costs associated with administering the college entrance examination, the computer-adaptive college placement assessment and the jobs skills assessment test and shall schedule a day during which examinations shall be provided and one (1) shall be administered to all eleventh and twelfth grade students throughout the state. The date for administration in grade eleven (11) shall be selected so that following receipt of scores, students may timely register for senior year classes which may be necessary to allow the student to qualify for a state provided scholarship. All students in grade twelve (12) shall take the computer-adaptive college placement assessment in the spring. The
state superintendent

director
may enter into agreements with an administrator of the college entrance examination and the computer-adaptive college placement assessment and an administrator of the jobs skills assessment test and adopt rules as necessary to ensure compliance with any requirements of an administrator, such as a secure environment. Waivers may be granted for the examinations and tests required by this paragraph for students with disabilities in accordance with the provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Alternative assessments and accommodations may be offered by the
state superintendent

director
in accordance with rule and regulation;

(b)

The
state superintendent

director
shall designate an employee of the department of education to serve as liaison to the state board
and the state superintendent
through which requests for staff assistance shall be directed.
The state department of education shall provide information or data requested by the state board that is necessary to perform duties under W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
304.

(c)

In addition to subsection (a) of this section, the
state superintendent

director
may take appropriate administrative action with the state board as necessary, including but not limited to the changing of accreditation status, against any school district or state institution failing to comply with any applicable law or with the uniform educational program standards specified under W.S. 21
‑
9
‑
101 and 21
‑
9
‑
102 and the student content and performance standards prescribed by the state board.

(d)

Any school district aggrieved by an act of the
state superintendent

director
may seek review in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.

(e)

In addition to paragraph (a)(i) of this section, the
state superintendent

director
shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the administration of the Wyoming education resource block grant model adopted by the Wyoming legislature as defined under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
309, and governing the operation of the model in determining school district foundation program payments in accordance with chapter 13, article 3 of this title and other applicable law. The block grant model, as defined under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
101(a)(xiv) and as maintained under this subsection, shall be made available for public inspection by the
state superintendent

director
in electronic format. Copies of the block grant model spreadsheets as administered under
department
rule and regulation shall be provided to school districts by the
state superintendent

director
for district use in district budgeting and in complying with mandatory financial reporting requirements imposed under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
307(b) and by other provisions of law. To maintain the integrity of the block grant model, copies of the model and model spreadsheets made available under this subsection for public inspection and school district use shall be by protected version only, prohibiting the editing of model components, model data and model formulas. Following adoption of any recalibration of or modification to the block grant model by the Wyoming legislature, and prior to computing the foundation program amount for each school district under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
309(p) and determining the amount to be distributed to a district under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
311 or recaptured from a district subject to W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
102(b), the
state superintendent

director
shall certify to the legislature that the block grant model as enacted by the legislature is properly incorporated into the administration of the model for the appropriate school year of model application and is made available for public inspection. Technical corrections to model spreadsheets necessary for model administration between any session of the legislature shall be implemented by the
state superintendent

director
, shall be in accordance with procedures specified by rule and regulation filed with the secretary of state, shall be reported to the legislature together with the associated fiscal and technical impact of the correction, and shall be incorporated into the electronic version of the model available for public inspection. As used in this subsection, "technical corrections to model spreadsheets" means corrections necessary to ensure model operation and current school year district payments are in accordance with law and the model is properly computing school foundation program payments to school districts as required by law. Notwithstanding W.S. 16
‑
3
‑
114(c), no judicial review of rules promulgated and adopted under this subsection shall hold unlawful or set aside action of the
state superintendent

director
in promulgating or adopting rules unless the rules are by clear and convincing evidence, shown to exceed statutory authority.

21
‑
2
‑
203.

School district data collection and funding model administration; duties and responsibilities specified; data advisory committee; school district compliance.

(a)

The
department
shall collect data for the state's school finance system and
in accordance with rule and regulation
of the
state superintendent

director
,
administer the Wyoming education resource block grant model adopted by the Wyoming legislature pursuant to W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
309. As used in this section, "school finance system" means all statutes related to the terms and conditions under which funds from Wyoming sources are made available under Wyoming law to the public schools for school operations. The school finance system established following a 1995 Wyoming supreme court decision, and subsequently modified and recalibrated as required under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
309(t), is extremely complex and requires timely and accurate data to be administered fairly and accurately. It is essential that a single entity be established to ensure that fair and accurate administration is accomplished.

(c)

The duties of the
department
are
, in accordance with rules promulgated by the

state superintendent

director
,
to:

(iv)

Recommend to the
state superintendent

director
proposed
rules to improve the accuracy and reliability of data and the general efficiency of the operation of the school finance system, including requiring training for district personnel with respect to accounting and reporting related to the administration of the school finance system;

(viii)

Assist the
state superintendent

director
in implementing
W
.S. 21
‑
13
‑
309(m)(v)(D) and assist districts with computations necessary for reporting student career-vocational education participation and career-vocational education instruction information;

(d)

The
state superintendent of public instruction

director
shall establish an advisory committee consisting of not less than seven (7) members. This advisory committee shall have representatives from among Wyoming school districts, other state agencies involved in the administration of the school finance system, shall include the director of the department of audit or his designee, and shall include at least one (1) representative from the independent auditor community within the state. The committee shall meet at least twice annually and at the call of the
state superintendent

director
or his designee. The duties of the advisory committee are to:

(e)

On and after July 1, 2005,

T
he
following shall apply:

(ii)

If a district superintendent fails to provide data or reports in compliance with law or rules regarding timeliness, format, completeness or accuracy, without good cause, the
state superintendent

director
shall:

21
‑
2
‑
204.

Wyoming Accountability in Education Act; statewide education accountability system created.

(f)

A progressive multi-tiered system of support, intervention and consequences to assist schools shall be established by the state board
,
and shall conform to the January 2012 education accountability report as defined by subsection (k) of this section. The system shall clearly identify and prescribe the actions for each level of support, intervention and consequence. Commencing with school year
2013-2014
, and each school year thereafter, the
state superintendent

director

shall take action based upon system results according to the following:

(iv)

Schools designated as meeting expectations shall file an improvement plan with the school district superintendent and the
department
. The plan shall be based upon an evaluation of the strengths and deficiencies of specific indicator scores that identifies appropriate improvement goals with an explanation of the measures and methods chosen for improvement, the processes to be implemented to deliver the improvement measures, identification of relevant timelines and benchmarks and an articulation of the process for measuring success of the methods chosen to increase performance. The
state superintendent

director
shall appoint a representative from the department in accordance with paragraph (vii) of this subsection to monitor the school's progress towards meeting the specified goals and implementation of the processes, measures and methods as contained in the school's plan. The representative shall assist the district, if requested, in identifying and securing the necessary resources to support the goals as stated by the school and the district;

(v)

Schools designated as partially meeting expectations shall file an improvement plan in accordance with paragraph (iv) of this subsection that identifies and addresses all content areas where performance is below target levels. The
state superintendent

director
shall appoint a representative from the department in accordance with paragraph (vii) of this subsection to monitor the school's progress towards meeting the specified goals and implementation of the processes, measures and methods as contained in the school's plan. The representative shall assist the district in identifying and securing the necessary resources to support the goals as stated by the school and the district. Failure to meet improvement goals as specified in the plan for two (2) consecutive years may require that the school be subject to paragraph (vi) of this subsection;

(vi)

Schools designated as not meeting expectations shall file an improvement plan in accordance with paragraph (iv) of this subsection that identifies and addresses all content areas where performance is below target levels. The
state superintendent

director
shall appoint a representative from the department in accordance with paragraph (vii) of this subsection to assist in drafting the improvement plan, including the selection of programs and interventions to improve student performance. The representative shall perform duties as required by paragraph (v) of this subsection. The plan shall be approved by the local board of trustees and submitted to the school district superintendent prior to submission to the
department
. The plan shall describe the personnel and financial resources within the education resource block grant model as defined by W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
101(a)(xiv) necessary for implementation of the measures and methods chosen for improvement and shall specify how resources shall be reallocated, if necessary, to improve student performance. Failure to meet improvement goals as specified in the plan for two (2) consecutive years may be grounds for dismissal of the school principal;

(vii)

A representative shall be appointed by the
state superintendent

director
for all schools designated under paragraphs (iv) through (vi) of this subsection to serve as a liaison between the school district leadership and the department. The representative shall be an employee of the department, an employee of a Wyoming school district or any combination, and may require more than one (1) individual for schools requiring substantial intervention and support. Additionally, one (1) representative may be assigned to more than one (1) school. Among other duties as may be requested by the district or department, the representative shall review and approve improvement plans submitted by schools in accordance with paragraphs (iv) through (vi) of this subsection. Requested resources for improvement plan implementation, or the reallocation of existing resources for plan implementation, shall be based upon a comprehensive review of the available research. Justification for resource allocation or reallocation shall be incorporated within the written improvement plan. The representative shall possess expertise appropriate to particular strategies incorporated within improvement plans to enable necessary plan evaluation, and shall be commensurate with the level of intervention, support and consequences to be administered under this subsection. The
state superintendent

director
shall annually report to the state board on the progress of each school in meeting annual goals and overall improvement targets, fully describing the effectiveness and deficiencies of efforts to improve school performance in performance categories prescribed by this section;

(viii)

To the extent permitted by law and rule and regulation, plans submitted in compliance with paragraphs (iii) through (vi) of this subsection shall serve to comply with similar requirements administered by the
state superintendent

director
and the department, and the state board shall ensure the plans minimize submission of duplicative information, material and the administrative burdens placed upon schools. All plans submitted under this subsection shall be made available for public inspection through internet access as defined by W.S. 9
‑
2
‑
1035(a)(iii);

21
‑
2
‑
301.

Appointment; qualifications, terms and removal of members; meetings; chairman.

(a)

There is created a state board of education composed of
twelve (12) v
oting

thirteen (13)

members,
eleven (11)

of whom shall be
voting

appointed members with at least one (1) member appointed from each appointment district pursuant to W.S. 9
‑
1
‑
218. The remaining
voting member

members

of the board shall be the
state
superintendent of public instruction
and the director of the state department of education
.
The state superintendent and the director shall be ex-officio members and shall not have the right to vote.
One (1) appointed member shall be appointed at large and shall be a certified classroom teacher at the time of appointment. One (1) appointed member shall also be appointed at large and shall be a certified school administrator at the time of appointment. Two (2) appointed members shall be appointed at large and shall be representative of private business or industry in Wyoming. The remaining
seven (7)

appointed members of the board shall be appointed from among the lay citizens of the state who are electors of the state, known for their public spirit, business or professional ability and interest in education. Not more than
six (6)
appointed members of the board shall be from one (1) political party. Members shall be appointed for six (6) year terms, except those who may be appointed to fill unexpired terms. Members shall be appointed by the governor with the approval of the senate. Vacancies shall be filled by the governor without senate approval until the next session of the legislature. No member is eligible to reappointment, except any member appointed to fill an unexpired term of less than six (6) years and the term expires on or after January 1, 1996, may be reappointed for one (1) additional six (6) year term. Appointed members of the board may be removed by the governor as provided in W.S. 9
‑
1
‑
202.

(c)

Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the
superintendent of public instruction
and the director
shall not participate in board deliberations on
or vote on
any matter relating to a contested case involving actions of the department of education.

21
‑
2
‑
304.

Duties of the state board of education.

(a)

The state board of education shall:

(i)

Establish policies for public education in this state consistent with the Wyoming Constitution and statutes and may promulgate rules necessary or desirable for the proper and effective implementation of this title and its responsibilities under this title. Nothing in this section shall give the state board rulemaking authority in any area specifically delegated to the state superintendent
or the director
;

(v)

Through the
state superintendent

director
and in consultation and coordination with local school districts, implement a statewide assessment system comprised of a coherent system of measures that when combined, provide a reliable and valid measure of individual student achievement for each public school and school district within the state, and the performance of the state as a whole. Statewide assessment system components shall be in accordance with requirements of the statewide education accountability system pursuant to W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
204. Improvement of teaching and learning in schools, attaining student achievement targets for performance indicators established under W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
204 and fostering school program improvement shall be the primary purposes of statewide assessment of student performance in Wyoming. The statewide assessment system shall:

(vi)

Subject to and in accordance with W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
204, through the
state superintendent

director
and in consultation and coordination with local school districts, by rule and regulation implement a statewide accountability system. The accountability system shall include a technically defensible approach to calculate achievement, growth and readiness as required by W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
204. The state board shall establish performance targets as required by W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
204(e), establish a progressive multi-tiered system of supports, interventions and consequences as required by W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
204(f) and shall establish a statewide reporting system pursuant to W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
204(h). The system created shall conform to the January 2012 education accountability report as defined by W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
204(k). In addition and for purposes of complying with requirements under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the board shall by rule and regulation provide for annual accountability determinations based upon adequate yearly progress measures imposed by federal law for all schools and school districts imposing a range of educational consequences and supports resulting from accountability determinations;

(b)

In addition to subsection (a) of this section and any other duties assigned to it by law, the state board shall:

(ii)

Enforce the uniform state educational program standards imposed by W.S. 21
‑
9
‑
101 and 21
‑
9
‑
102 and the uniform student content and performance standards established by rules and regulations adopted under subsection (a) of this section, together with student performance indicators established and measured pursuant to W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
204, by taking appropriate administrative action with the
state superintendent

director
, including but not limited to the changing of accreditation status;

(xvii)

Through the
state superintendent

director
, implement, administer and supervise education programs and services for adult visually handicapped and adult hearing impaired persons within the state.

21
‑
2
‑
306.

Reports of state superintendent, the director and state board.

The state superintendent
, the director
and the state board shall, in accordance with W.S. 9
‑
2
‑
1014, report to the governor and recommend such legislation concerning education and appropriations for educational activities as they may deem appropriate.

21
‑
2
‑
502.

Duties of school districts; interdistrict contracts; assistance of director; attendance beyond school age.

(a)

Each school district of this state having any school age children residing in the district who possess any of the disabilities covered under this article shall, subject to the rules and regulations of the
state superintendent

director
, provide for the appropriate diagnosis, evaluation, education or training and necessary related services and may include, but is not limited to room and board, for those children. If the school district is unable to provide the necessary and appropriate programs and services, it shall contract with another school district or agency to obtain them. If the programs and services cannot reasonably be provided by the district or by interdistrict contracts, the
state superintendent

director

shall assist local boards of trustees in arranging for the appropriate educational programs and services either within or without the state pursuant to its rules and regulations and financed as provided by law.

21
‑
2
‑
701.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in this act:

(ii)

"Preschool children with disabilities" means any children three (3) through five (5) years of age in the state of Wyoming having a mental, physical or psychological disability which impairs learning, subject to rules and regulations of the
state superintendent

director of the department of education
;

21
‑
2
‑
703.

Director of the department of education duties; division duties.

(a)

The
state superintendent

director
shall:

(b)

The division in carrying out its duties as an intermediate educational unit, shall:

(iii)

Administer the rules and regulations promulgated by the
state superintendent

director
under this act.

(c)

The
state superintendent
director

and the administrator of the division shall enter an interagency agreement which shall define the duties of the division and the
superintendent

director
.

21
‑
2
‑
801.

Creation of board; appointment and composition; terms; vacancies; expense reimbursement.

(a)

The Wyoming professional teaching standards board is created to consist of thirteen (13) members appointed by the
state superintendent

and the governor
as follows:

(b)

Board members shall be appointed to a term of four (4) years. No person shall be appointed for more than two (2) four (4) year terms. Vacancies shall be filled by the
state superintendent
and the governor on a rotating basis
from the appropriate group pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Any board member may be removed as provided under W.S. 9
‑
1
‑
202.

21
‑
2
‑
802.

Powers and duties; teacher certification; suspension and revocation; certification fees; disposition of collected fees; required data submissions to department of education.

(m)

In accordance with criteria and guidelines established by the
state superintendent of public instruction

director of the department of education
, the board shall submit data elements collected from school administrators, teachers and other school district personnel certified under this article to the department of education for housing in the department's data base repository.

21
‑
3
‑
110.

Duties of boards of trustees.

(a)

The board of trustees in each school district shall:

(i)

Prescribe and enforce rules, regulations and policies for its own government and for the government of the schools under its jurisdiction. Rules and regulations shall be consistent with the laws of the state and rules and regulations of the state board
, the director
and the state superintendent

and shall be open to public inspection;

(v)

Submit reports concerning finances or any other matter as the state board,
state superintendent
,
the director

or state law may require;

(xxii)

In accordance with guidelines established by the
state superintendent

under W.S.
21
‑
2
‑
202(a)(xxii)

21
‑
2
‑
201(c)(v)
, implement standards for the storage and disposal of toxic chemicals and other hazardous substances used by schools within the district for educational programs;

(xxviii)

Annually report to the
state superintendent

director

on district expenditures for career-vocational education programs, broken down by school, and submitted in a manner and form required by rule and regulation of the
state superintendent

director
;

(xxix)

Beginning in school year 2012-2013, and each school year thereafter, administer a program where all students enrolled in the eleventh and twelfth grades in the district shall be required to take, on a date specified by the
state superintendent

director
, a standardized, curriculum based, achievement college entrance examination, a computer-adaptive college placement assessment or a jobs skills assessment test in accordance with
W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
202(a)(xxx)
. Each school district shall provide the opportunity for all home school and private school students in the eleventh and twelfth grades and residing within the district to take the examinations or the jobs skills assessment test at no cost to the student on the same date administered to all eleventh and twelfth grade public school students in the state. The results of the examinations or jobs skills assessment test taken shall be included in each student's transcript;

(xxxi)

Not later than December 31, 2011,
A
dopt a policy and training procedures regarding the use of seclusion and restraint in schools. In addition to any requirements provided by rule and regulation of the
state superintendent
pursuant to
W.S.

21
‑
2
‑
202(a)(xxxii)

21
‑
2
‑
201(c)(iii)
,
the policy shall require that the parent or legal guardian of the student shall be notified each time that seclusion or restraint is utilized for the student. The policy shall prohibit the use of locked seclusion. The policy shall not be limited to any specified group of students and shall apply any time that seclusion or restraint is used for any student. The district shall submit a copy of the policy to the
state superintendent
for review as provided in
W.S.
21
‑
2
‑
202(a)(xxxii)

21
‑
2
‑
201(c)(iii)
after the initial adoption of the policy and any time thereafter that the policy is substantially revised. As used in this paragraph:

21
‑
3
‑
117.

Duties of clerk of school district.

(a)

The clerk of each school district within the state shall:

(i)

Within thirty (30) working days after the close of each fiscal year, submit all fiscal reports to the
state superintendent of public instruction
director

for the past fiscal year. The reports shall contain information required by the
state superintendent
director
. A copy of the reports shall also be filed with the county clerk of each county in which the school district is located;

(ii)

Cause to be filed copies of all reports made to the
state superintendent
d
irector

and all papers transmitted to him by school officers or other persons pertaining to the business of the district. After two (2) years have elapsed from the date of filing, microfilm copies may be treated as originals;

21
‑
3
‑
314.

Students counted among district ADM; determination of charter school funding.

(a)

The director of the state department of education shall administer the education resource block grant model and perform the duties prescribed under this statute.

Each student attending a charter school shall be counted among the average daily membership of the school district in which the school is located and the school shall be included in the district's configuration of schools reported to the
state superintendent

director

under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
309(m)(iv). Average daily membership of the charter school shall be calculated as follows:

21
‑
3
‑
401.

Reading assessment and intervention.

(d)

The
state superintendent

director
, in consultation with Wyoming school districts, professionals in the area of dyslexia and other reading difficulties, and other appropriate stakeholders, shall promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to administer the reading assessment and intervention program pursuant to this statute.

21
‑
4
‑
401.

Transportation or maintenance for isolated pupils.

(b)

The
state superintendent

director
shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations pertaining to residence requirements establishing eligibility under this section and for provision of tuition and transportation or maintenance. No person is eligible as an isolated pupil under this section unless the pupil's parents or legal guardians demonstrate to the local school board that the family's residing in the isolated location is necessary for the family's financial well being. The burden shall be on the parent or guardian to demonstrate that the family's residing in the isolated location is necessary for the family's financial well being. The final decision as to eligibility shall be made by the district board of trustees.

21
‑
4
‑
601.

Education programs on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

(b)

Subject to amounts appropriated by the legislature, the
state superintendent of public instruction

director
shall enter into negotiations with the individual or joint business councils of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Indian Tribes to determine the appropriate contractual arrangements for the provision of education programs and services addressing Indian students at risk of failure in school and other programs and services essential to the success and welfare of these students as specified under subsection (a) of this section. Contractual arrangements entered into under this subsection shall include a requirement that the expenditure of contractual amounts, as verified annually in writing, is for programs tied to improvement of student performance on the statewide assessment. For purposes of this section, the
state superintendent

director
shall include an amount within his biennial budget request which is computed in accordance with subsection (c) of this section to provide a per student amount that when nonstate funding sources are considered, is comparable to per student amounts provided for public schools under the Wyoming education resource block grant model.

(d)

The joint business council of the Eastern Shoshone and the Northern Arapaho Indian Tribes shall annually report to the governor, the
state superintendent of public instruction

director
, the joint education interim committee and the select committee on tribal relations on the expenditure of contractual amounts as required under subsection (b) of this section.

21
‑
6
‑
210.

Powers and duties of state committee.

(a)

The state committee shall:

(i)

Aid the district boundary boards in carrying out the powers and duties vested in and imposed upon those boards by this article,
by furnishing assistance of the employed staff of the department,
as authorized by the
state superintendent
, and provide plans for procedure, standards, data, maps and other information and services for district boundary boards throughout the state as it appears to the state committee necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this article;

21
‑
6
‑
219.

Adjustment of state foundation entitlement.

(a)

When two (2) or more districts or parts of districts are organized into a school district and the total fiscal resources of the new school district are less than the combined fiscal resources of the districts the last year before organization, then the
state superintendent

director

shall adjust the state foundation entitlement to compensate for the differences in fiscal resources. The adjustment shall be equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the initial difference in each of the first two (2) fiscal years after the new organization, fifty percent (50%) of the initial difference in the third fiscal year and twenty-five percent (25%) of the initial difference in the fourth fiscal year. The adjustment shall also provide reimbursement for expenses incurred by the school districts involved in the new organization. Expenses which are reimbursable shall be determined in accordance with rules adopted by the
state superintendent

director
, shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), and shall be paid in equal amounts over a period not to exceed three (3) fiscal years.

(b)

When any district consolidates two (2) or more schools within the district and the total state aid to the district would decrease because of the consolidation, the
state superintendent

director

shall adjust the state foundation entitlement to compensate for the decrease for not more than one (1) year.

21
‑
13
‑
101.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in this chapter:

(xiv)

"Education resource block grant model" means the block grant model for Wyoming school finance contained within the enumeration of model components summarizing and executing recommendations within the 2010 cost of education study as referenced in paragraph (xvii) of this subsection and model spreadsheets provided by the consultant performing the 2010 cost of education study, all of which are enacted into law, on file with the secretary of state and are maintained and made available for public inspection by the
state superintendent

director
under W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
202(e), and as may be subsequently modified by the legislature prior to future model recalibration required under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
309(t);

21
‑
13
‑
102.

Maximum rate of school district tax; recapture of excess; equalization of permissive levies.

(e)

Annually on or before August 15 the department shall notify each district

subject to recapture of the estimated amount due to the state during the current fiscal year, using data from the previous school year. Upon receipt of the state assessed values by school districts, and not later than March 1 of the current fiscal year, the department shall certify to each district subject to recapture the amount of recapture for the fiscal year to be remitted to the state. The amount certified shall supersede the estimates certified on or before August 15. If a district can demonstrate financial inability to make payments to the state as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the
superintendent of public instruction

director
may adjust the schedule of payments provided by subsection (b) of this section if the financial integrity of the foundation program will not be jeopardized.

21
‑
13
‑
306.

Foundation program account established; disposition of monies.

(b)

Within the limits of legislative appropriation, if any, the resources of the public school foundation account shall be paid into the state treasury and shall be drawn out and distributed to the districts upon certification of the
state superintendent

director
and upon vouchers approved by the state auditor payable to the treasurer of the several districts.

21
‑
13
‑
307.

Eligibility to share in distribution of money from foundation account; mandatory financial reporting.

(a)

Each district which meets the following requirements is eligible to share in the distribution of funds from the foundation account:

(ii)

Operated all schools for a term of at least one hundred eighty-five (185) days or the number of days or equivalent hours authorized under an alternative schedule approved by the state board during the previous school year. If the school term of any school in a district was less than one hundred eighty-five (185) days or less than the total number of days authorized under an alternative schedule approved by the state board, the amount allotted per average daily membership (ADM) under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
309 for the school shall be in proportion to the length of the term the school actually operated, unless caused by closures of schools:

(B)

Whenever necessary to protect the health, safety or welfare of students, teachers and other employees and closures are approved by the
state superintendent

director

or are the result of presidential or gubernatorial executive orders.

(iii)

Furnishes to the
state superintendent

director

statistical data and information as reasonably required to compute a district's entitlement to share in the foundation account and the extent of the entitlement;

(iv)

The district shall provide evidence to the
state superintendent
director

that the district has maintained an average student-teacher ratio of not greater than sixteen (16) to one (1) for the aggregate of all classes in kindergarten through grade three (3) in the district in the preceding school year. The requirement of this paragraph may be waived by the
department of education

for any district that demonstrates insufficient school facility capacity, positive school performance, positive student achievement or for other reasons related to the delivery of the education program to students. This paragraph shall not apply to charter schools established under W.S. 21
‑
3
‑
301 through 21
‑
3
‑
314 or schools designated as exceeding expectations pursuant to W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
204(e)(i)(A). Schools designated as exceeding expectations pursuant to W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
204(e)(i)(A) shall notify the
department
annually of the student teacher ratios for the aggregate of all classes in kindergarten through grade three (3) in the district in the preceding year. The
department
shall compute the student-teacher ratio and report it to each district not later than March 1 of each year. To obtain a waiver under this paragraph, a school district shall apply to the
department
not later than March 15 of each year. The application shall be based on the student-teacher ratio reported by the department of education, together with any other information required by the
department
. The
department
shall approve or deny an application for a waiver under this paragraph not later than April 10 of that year. A waiver approved under this paragraph shall be effective for the school year immediately following the application and approval.

(b)

Each district shall provide financial reports to the department on forms and in such manner required by the department

under W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
203 and by rules and regulations promulgated
by the
state superintendent of public instruction
director

pursuant
to this article. In administering this article, the
state superintendent

director
may conduct audits of information submitted by districts under this article as necessary to administer and perform computations pertaining to the cost components within the education resource block grant model, and may, after consulting and negotiating with the school district, correct the information reported by districts under this article to fairly and accurately reflect the data type, classification and format necessary to perform computations required to administer the school finance system established under this article.

21
‑
13
‑
309.

Determination of amount to be included in foundation program for each district.

(m)

In determining the amount to be included in the foundation program for each district, the
state superintendent

director

shall:

(v)

Based upon ADM computations and identified school configurations within each district pursuant to paragraph (iv) of this subsection, compute the foundation program amount for each district as prescribed by the education resource block grant model adopted by the Wyoming legislature as defined under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
101(a)(xiv), as contained within the spreadsheets and accompanying reports referenced under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
101(a)(xvii), on file with the secretary of state and maintained by the
state superintendent

director
pursuant to W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
202(e). The following criteria shall be used by the
state superintendent

director
in the administration of the education resource block grant model:

(B)

Alternative schools qualifying for separate consideration under the education resource block grant model may be established by a school district for offering educational programs to students with educational needs which the district finds are not appropriately met by other schools in the district, excluding charter schools established under W.S. 21
‑
3
‑
301 through 21
‑
3
‑
314. Alternative schools included within a district's configuration of schools identified under paragraph (iv) of this subsection shall for purposes of the education resource block grant model:

(III)

Unless otherwise authorized by the
state superintendent

director
, be restricted to not more than one (1) alternative school within any school district.

(vi)

Except for charter schools established under W.S. 21
‑
3
‑
301 through 21
‑
3
‑
314, any alteration of the configuration of grades within a district, school or school facility which differs from the configuration of grades during the immediately preceding school year as reported under paragraph (iv) of this subsection shall be considered a reconfiguration and shall be documented by the district and reported to the
state superintendent

director
and the director of the school facilities department. Following review and evaluation, the
state superintendent

director of the department of education
and the director

of the school facilities department
shall, each acting independently, approve or deny the reconfiguration for purposes of application to the education resource block grant model and the determination of school facility needs and remedies. The following shall apply:

21
‑
13
‑
310.

Annual computation of district revenues.

(b)

On or before July 10 of each year the county treasurer of each county shall certify to the
state superintendent

director
, in such form as the
state superintendent

director
shall provide, a report of monies distributed by him to each district within the county during the previous school year.

21
‑
13
‑
312.

Prorating payments when income from foundation account insufficient.

(a)

To preserve the integrity of the foundation account for the biennium and so that payments can be made during the full school year for each year of the biennium, if it appears to the
state superintendent

director

that the income available to the foundation program account is not sufficient to meet the payments as provided by law:

(i)

The
state superintendent

director
shall determine a uniform percentage by which the amount guaranteed to each district under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
309 shall be reduced so that available revenues in the foundation program account for that school year are as nearly as possible equal to the amount necessary to fund payments to districts under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
313; and

21
‑
13
‑
313.

Distribution of funds from foundation account; property tax and cash reserve adjustment; regulations.

(a)

For each school year the state auditor, on the certification of the
state superintendent

director
, shall draw warrants on the state treasurer for the amount of money which shall be distributed to each district from the foundation account as computed under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
311. The warrants, payable to the treasurer of the district concerned, shall be delivered to the
state superintendent

director
for distribution to the several school districts.

(b)

The
state superintendent

director
shall determine on or before August 15 of each year the tentative allotment of foundation funds to which each district is entitled under this article. In making this determination, the
state superintendent

director
may, if current fiscal information required by law to compute the tentative allotment is not available for any district by August 1 of that year, use fiscal information available to the
state superintendent

director
from the foundation program computations of the previous school year for that district. The previous year's fiscal information shall be adjusted to reflect current fiscal changes and other information known by or available to the
state superintendent

director
. Upon receiving actual fiscal information from a district, the
state superintendent

director
shall accordingly adjust future foundation program determinations for that district such that foundation program payments appropriately reflect current fiscal information for the applicable school year.

(c)

Fifteen percent (15%) of each district's entitlement shall be paid to the district on or before August 15 of each year and subject to any adjustment under subsections (d) and (e) of this section, ten percent (10%) of each district's entitlement shall be paid on or about the fifteenth day of each month through April of each year. The final payment for the balance of each district's entitlement shall be distributed on or before May 15 of each year. If, after March 1 and before April 1, the
state superintendent

director

determines that the entitlement to be paid to a district for that school year is not accurate, the
state superintendent

director
shall adjust payments to or payments from that district as necessary to correct the inaccuracy as soon as practicable. Except as provided under W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
202(e), after March 31 of any school year, the
state superintendent

director
shall not adjust any district's entitlement or fiscal information used to compute a district's entitlement for that school year, and the entitlement or fiscal information shall only be adjusted thereafter in accordance with audit review pursuant to W.S. 9
‑
1
‑
513.

(g)

In addition to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the
state superintendent

director
shall, for any district subject to W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
102(b) as determined by the
department
for any school year, or for any district not subject to W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
102(b) whose entitlement amount determined under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
311(a) for any school year is equal to or less than twenty percent (20%) of the foundation program amount computed under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
309(p), and upon demonstration by the district of financial need as documented by cash flow analysis, provide payments from the school foundation program account in an amount not to exceed one-fifth (1/5) of the foundation program amount computed for that district for that school year in accordance with W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
309. The computed amount shall be paid to each eligible district on or before September 1 based upon tentative computations under W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
309, for which the
department
may use fiscal information available from foundation program computations for the previous school year in the manner provided under subsection (b) of this section. Any district receiving a payment under this subsection and repaying the foundation program account by December 15 of that school year shall not be assessed interest. After December 15, the district shall be assessed interest at a rate equal to the rate specified by W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
316(a) until the payment is repaid in full. In no event shall an advance payment under this subsection extend beyond and remain unpaid by any district, including interest, on and after June 15 of that school year.

21
‑
15
‑
113.

School facilities commission; membership; conflict of interest; terms; chairman; meetings; compensation.

(a)

The school facilities commission is established to consist of
eight (8)

nine (9)
members comprised of the
state superintendent of public instruction
and the
director of the department of education
, who shall serve in an ex-officio, nonvoting capacity, and seven (7) members who are Wyoming residents appointed by the governor with one (1) member appointed from each of the seven (7) appointment districts designated in W.S. 9
‑
1
‑
218(b). Four (4) of the appointees shall have knowledge and experience in the following areas:

21
‑
17
‑
201.

Composition; appointment and qualifications of members generally; members ex officio; quorum.

The government of the university is vested in a board of twelve (12) trustees appointed by the governor, no two (2) of whom may be residents of the same county of the state. At least one (1) trustee shall be appointed from each appointment district pursuant to W.S. 9
‑
1
‑
218. Not more than seven (7) members of the board shall be registered in the same political party. The governor, the president of the university, the state superintendent of public instruction,
the director of the department of education

and the president of the associated students of the university are members ex officio, having the right to speak, but not to vote. A majority of the board is a quorum.

21
‑
18
‑
201.

Community college commission; created; composition; removal.

(c)

The governor
, the director of the department of education
and the
state superintendent of public instruction
are ex officio nonvoting members of the commission.

21
‑
22
‑
103.

State advisory council for innovative education; established; membership; terms; compensation; initial terms.

(a)

The state advisory council for innovative education is established, to consist of the following members:

(i)

Four (4)

Two (2)
members appointed by the
state superintendent of public instruction
and two (2) members appointed by the director of the state department of education
as follows, provided the
state superintendent

and the director
shall review but need not appoint members from the list of nominees submitted by the designated entities:

(ii)

The Wyoming public school teacher holding the state
department of education

superintendent
's
Wyoming teacher of the year award

as required under
W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
201(c)(ii)
;

(v)

The
state superintendent of public instruction
and the director of the state department of education
serving as
an
ex officio
member

members
;

(b)

Except for initial terms pursuant to subsection (d) of this section,

T
erms of voting members shall be for one (1) year. Annual appointments shall be made and reported to the
state superintendent
and the director of the department of education
by January 1 of each year. Any vacancy shall be filled by the designated appointing authority for the remainder of the unexpired term within not more than thirty (30) days following the date on which the vacancy occurred. Any voting member may serve not more than three (3) terms. The
state superintendent

director
shall coordinate appointments and notify each designated appointing authority of the requirements imposed under this section.

31
‑
5
‑
118.

Regulations relative to school buses.

(a)

The
state superintendent of public instruction

director of the department of education
shall adopt and enforce regulations not inconsistent with this act to govern the design and operation of all school buses used for the transportation of school children when owned and operated by any school district or privately owned and operated under contract with any school district in this state and the regulations shall by reference be made a part of any contract with a school district. Every school district, its officers and employees, and every person employed under contract by a school district shall be subject to the regulations.

Section 3.
W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
202(a)(xix)(J), (xxii), (xxxii) and (xxxiii) and 21
‑
22
‑
103(d) are repealed.

Section 4.

(a)

It is the intention and direction of the legislature that:

(i)

All divisions, agencies, programs, positions, personnel, property, appropriated funds and functions of the department of education shall transfer immediately to the interim director of the department of education as appointed by the governor as required by this act;

(ii)

Any contract, agreement or obligation entered into or assumed by the director of the Wyoming department of education in relation to the duties transferred by this act, if the execution or assumption was within the lawful powers of the state superintendent or the Wyoming department of education, be assumed by the director of the Wyoming department of education as established by this act;

(iii)

Any lawful policy adopted by the state superintendent or the Wyoming department of education shall remain in effect unaltered as policy of the director until amended or repealed by the director;

(iv)

There is to be as little disruption as possible to the everyday duties and activities of the staff of the department of education. The governor and the interim director shall review all personnel decisions, including but not limited to any transfers, change of job duties, or terminations, within sixty (60) days prior to effective date of this act. In addition, if the interim director determines changes to personnel are required after the effective date of this act, such changes shall be submitted to the governor for approval prior to any transfers, change of job duties, or termination of any employee.

Section 5.

(a)

The governor shall immediately appoint a person to serve as the interim director of the Wyoming department of education upon the effective date of this act. In addition, the department of administration and information shall immediately secure office space for the state superintendent of public instruction in facilities separate from the department of education. Not later than December 1, 2013, the governor shall appoint a director of the state department of education by temporary appointment as provided in W.S. 28
‑
12
‑
101(b).

(b)

The interim director shall plan for the immediate transfer of all department of education divisions, agencies, programs, positions, personnel, property, appropriated funds and functions to the director as required by this act. The interim director shall periodically report to the joint education interim committee on the status of the transfer. The transfer shall be effective upon approval of the governor. Nothing in this subsection authorizes funds to be expended for any purpose other than that for which the funds were appropriated.

(c)

The department of administration and information, in consultation with the interim director, shall review all existing authorized positions and appropriated funds for the Wyoming department of education. The department of administration and information, in consultation with the interim director, shall submit to the governor a list of all such positions and appropriated funds which provide services related to the duties transferred to the director as required by this act. Not later than November 1, 2013, the governor shall submit a list to the joint appropriations interim committee of those positions identified and appropriated funds approved by the governor that were transferred to the director of the department of education under this act and those that should be transferred to the state superintendent's office in order to effectuate the provisions of this act. The listing shall include for each position the source of funding and for positions not wholly funded by state general funds, whether the funding source would be affected by the transfer of the position. The governor shall also separately identify any positions that were eliminated or which should be eliminated.

(d)

The joint appropriations interim committee shall review the lists provided and sponsor legislation in the 2014 budget session as it determines appropriate to transfer positions and associated equipment and funding from the department of education to the state superintendent's budget to effectuate the changes as required by this act.

(e)

Not later than December 1, 2013, the interim director of the department of education shall prepare a status report on the transfer of divisions, agencies, programs, positions, personnel, property, appropriated funds and functions to the director. The report shall be submitted to the governor, the joint education interim committee, the joint appropriations interim committee and the select committee on statewide education accountability and made available to the public. The report shall include further recommendations, including recommended legislation if necessary, to effectuate the transfer of duties as required by this act. The report shall also include a plan specifying a process for completion of department organization and professional capacity building over a period not to exceed five (5) years.

(f)

Positions and funds as determined appropriate under subsection (c) of this section remaining with the office of the state superintendent of public instruction shall fund and staff the state superintendent for the remainder of the fiscal biennium through June 30, 2014. For the fiscal biennium commencing July 1, 2014, the state superintendent shall submit an estimated budget in accordance with W.S. 9
‑
2
‑
1011.

(g)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the governor to effect voluntary transfers of positions between agencies as otherwise authorized by law.

Section 6.
This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

1