(Wyoming) – Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder has recently shared that she opposes House Bill 100, according to a post shared on her Facebook page on January 31.
“There’s been a lot of discussion about a bill currently in front of our state legislature – HB100 (K-12 uncertified personnel),” Degenfelder says in the Facebook post. “It hasn’t yet reached committee, which is where I typically weigh in on bills that aren’t part of my legislative agenda.”
“As it stands, I oppose HB100.”
The Bill would let public and charter schools employ teachers and administrators without certificates or permits from the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board, as per the choosing of each specific district and school board.
Those public and charter school employees without WPTSB certificates or permits would only face two requirements: to be at least 18 years old and to submit to a criminal history background check.
“I do believe the intention of the bringer of the bill was to help address teacher shortages by giving districts more flexibility to hire otherwise qualified professionals, but as written, it’s too broad,” Degenfelder also shares in the post.
“We need to ensure that any changes strengthen local control and uphold high standards, not create unintended consequences. It’s worth considering ways to codify the flexibility PTSB has provided in recent years while giving more autonomy to our local districts.”
The current status of the Bill, which local school boards have also announced their opposition to, states that the it was introduced on January 24, and was referred to H04, the Education Committee in the Wyoming House of Representatives.