Wyoming Passes Charter Law that Guts Local Control and Accountability
The Wyoming Legislature passed a charter law that allows new charters to open wherever they wish, without the approval of the elected local school board. Governor Mark Gordon neither signed nor vetoed the law, expressing confidence that kinks could be fixed in the future.
The legislation allows the State Loan and Investment Board to approve a charter school. Typically, local school districts have approved charter schools in the state.
The law allows charter schools to potentially be exempt from teaching standards requirements and oversight from the State Board of Education.
“This bill seemingly makes it easier for charters to be established outside the state’s rigorous educational parameters,” Gordon wrote.