The Wyoming Supreme Court has set oral arguments for Tuesday August 20th at 9 a.m. in the case brought by Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill against the State of Wyoming and Governor Matt Mead.

The Legislature passed SF 104 during their session earlier this year. The bill stripped Hill of most of her powers and duties and transferred them to a new appointed director at the State Department of Education.  Hill sued claiming that such a sweeping move requires a change to the state’s constitution.

In a brief filed earlier this month, the Wyoming Attorney General's Office said the  Wyoming Legislature had full authority to strip powers and duties from the state school superintendent earlier this year.  "The Wyoming Constitution does not imbue the office of superintendent with sweeping, inherent authority of the education of Wyoming children," the brief states. "The Constitution explicitly leaves decisions about the superintendent to the Legislature."

Hill is joined in the lawsuit by two Platte County residents, Kerry and Clara Powers who voted for her in 2010. Their suit claims the law nullified their votes by dramatically altering the superintendent’s duties in the middle of her term in office

 

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