Cheyenne resident Jillian Balow officially announced Thursday that she is seeking the Republican nomination for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.Balow, a former teacher and policy adviser to Governor Matt Mead, is currently an administrator for the Wyoming Department of Family Services. In 2011, Balow worked briefly as a supervisor at the Wyoming Department of Education under current Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill before joining Mead's staff.

Balow said her priorities include: local control of education, increased collaboration, less politics in education and increased parental involvement.

The legislature passed a law last year that removed most of the duties of the current Superintendent Cindy Hill. The Wyoming Supreme Court has ruled that law unconstitutional. The case is currently pending a final resolution in Laramie County District Court.

Balow said she discussed running for superintendent with her family prior to the Supreme Court ruling the law unconstitutional. She said regardless of the job duties, the Superintendent of Public Instruction can have a positive impact on education.

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