State of Wyoming Archives: on Education
Cynthia Lummis:
Private sector should take over the student loan market
Q: Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?A: There's no question the high cost of college education is adversely impacting students of all ages. An important first step to remedying this to have the private
sector take over the student loan market, giving students more options and driving down tuition costs through a more competitive market. I also support continuation of the GI Bill which provides educational assistance to service members & veterans.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Wyoming Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Merav Ben-David:
Use federal law to support education, reduce student debt
Continued support for Wyoming education should remain a priority. Wyoming's dedication to education is reflected in the state's community colleges and the University of Wyoming. Their relatively low tuition, combined with Governor Dave Freudenthal's
Hathaway Scholarship, enable the majority of Wyomingites to obtain a high-quality education without accruing crippling debt. I will support laws that reduce student loan burdens and bolster our higher education system.
Source: 2020 Wyoming Senate campaign website CorkyForSenate.com
Oct 10, 2020
Mark Gordon:
Enacted exemption for private schools from zoning authority
SF49: An act exempting private schools from county zoning authority.Jackson Hole Buckrail summary:The bill would exempt private schools--specifically Jackson Hole Classical Academy (JHCA)--from county zoning authority, as public schools
are currently exempted. JHCA could begin construction on a new campus in South Park.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 33-26-1 on Feb/25/19; Passed Senate 25-3-2 on Feb/25/19; Signed by Gov. Gordon on Mar/15/19
Source: Jackson Hole Buckrail on Wyoming voting records SF14
Mar 15, 2019
Chris Rothfuss:
Don't exempt private schools from zoning authority
SF49: An act exempting private schools from county zoning authority.Jackson Hole Buckrail summary:The bill would exempt private schools--specifically Jackson Hole Classical Academy (JHCA)--from county zoning authority, as public schools
are currently exempted. JHCA could begin construction on a new campus in South Park.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 33-26-1 on Feb/25/19; Passed Senate 25-3-2 on Feb/25; State Sen. Chris Rothfuss voted NO; Signed by Governor on Mar/15.
Source: Jackson Hole Buckrail on Wyoming voting records SF14
Feb 25, 2019
Mark Gordon:
Wyoming Works: tech education to enable nimble workforce
Over the course of the last couple of years Wyoming, like a lot of states, is suffering from a lack of a skilled workforce. Education is changing. Our economy is changing. Today, more than ever we need to provide the educational opportunities to enable
a nimble workforce to find a job with companies right here in Wyoming.That is why I support a suite of proposals including Wyoming Works, which promise new ways for high school students and even adults to continue their technical education and this
would also stand up career and technical education programs in our community colleges. I believe Wyoming should create a new Trust Fund under the Amendment A provision, with private industry's support and a Wyoming match, would offer scholarships for
Career and Technical Education. I look forward to making Wyoming Works a reality. I applaud those bills that would help Wyoming students move more seamlessly from high school to college and from community colleges to the University of Wyoming.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Wyoming legislature
Jan 9, 2019
Bill Dahlin:
Talk to educators: children are our future
I have been stopping into schools and talking to educators.ÿ Our children and youth are our future. We are having budget issues because our economy is not adequately diversified.
However, are we sure our budgets and spendingÿare correct?ÿ If they are, can we gain funds from other budgets that can afford it?
Source: 2018 Wyoming gubernatorial website DahlinForGovernor.com
Sep 18, 2018
Mark Gordon:
Focus on efficiency studies; ensure teachers are well paid
Touching on education, Gordon said the state needs to focus more on efficiency studies. "We want to make sure we have well paid teachers - that is one of the big draws for Wyoming and one of the big enhancements of why it is such a great place
to raise your family here," he said. "But when we get the block grants to the district, the district's job is to do their best to make sure they negotiate the salaries with their teachers."
Source: Rawlins Times on 2018 Wyoming gubernatorial race
Jun 9, 2018
Gary Trauner:
Vibrant and comprehensive public school system
Education is the key that unlocks the door to a better life for all Americans. It is foundational for achieving the American Dream. Instead of making higher education more expensive, I will:- Ensure a vibrant and comprehensive public
Pre-K through 12 school system.
- Work to expand federal grants and loans, especially for public 4-year colleges.
- Work to make Community College, trade schools and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) programs more affordable.
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Provide federal grants and incentives to states to implement vocational trade programs for those who desire them and for whom a 4-year college degree might not be appropriate or affordable.
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Expand federal workforce training programs to retrain workers with the skills they will need in a rapidly changing marketplace for the industries/jobs of tomorrow.
Source: 2018 Wyoming Senatorial campaign website TraunerForWY.com
Mar 31, 2018
Gary Trauner:
Make education more viable and less expensive
Education is the key that unlocks the door to a better life for all Americans. It is foundational for achieving the American Dream. Instead of making higher education more expensive, I will: - Ensure a vibrant & comprehensive public Pre-K through
12 school system.
- Work to expand federal grants and loans.
- Provide federal grants and incentives to states to implement vocational trade programs.
- Expand federal workforce training programs to retrain workers with the skills they will need.
Source: 2018 Wyoming Senatorial campaign website TraunerForWY.com
Feb 22, 2018
Mary Throne:
Strengthenÿour education system for our children
A Democrat, Throne served in the legislature for 10 years. "I worked across the aisle, using shared values to find common ground to make our state better. Because that's what truly matters. I supported our local communities, I worked to strengthenÿour
education system for our children, and I used my experience in natural resource law both to encourage development and protect the wide open spaces that we love.ÿ I advocated for better healthcare for our citizens and for safe workplaces," she said.
Source: Fremont County10 on 2018 Wyoming Gubernatorial race
Aug 27, 2017
Charlie Hardy:
Substitute teacher in high schools to maintain youth contact
In my lifelong commitment to learning and helping others, I have studied foreign languages in order to speak what I consider to be the most important language, that of friendship. I am fluent in English and Spanish, and have studied Portuguese, German,
Italian, French, Slovenian, Russian, Latin, and Greek. I have traveled to some 30 countries.
I occasionally substitute as a junior-high and high-school teacher in order to maintain contact with youth.
Source: Democracy For America on 2014 Wyoming Senate race
Aug 19, 2014
Matt Mead:
No federal curriculum standards; keep Wyoming standards
We need accountability in our schools. We don't need to push all students into a four-year university. Career and technical education programs are perfectly viable alternatives. Likewise, not everyone has to go to a traditional public school. Religious
schools, home schools, virtual schools and charter schools can provide innovative ideas and alternatives to parents. But whether public school or not, all of our kids need a topnotch K-12 education that prepares them for the future. To ratchet up the
quality, we need more rigorous standards. Common core standards have been debated and discussed. We are not signing on with federal curriculum. These are Wyoming standards. We are signing on to a better future for our children by demanding more rigorous
standards.
If the federal government tries to steer us in a direction we don't want to go, we will simply refuse. There is no federal hook that will push us from Wyoming law or Wyoming standards. Wyoming law and Wyoming standards control.
Source: Wyoming 2012 State of the State Address
Feb 13, 2012
Matt Mead:
Charter schools provide new ideas for traditional schools
The issue of charter schools is one I'm interested in moving forward. It is my belief that charter schools could provide some new ideas to be used at traditional schools. For this model to work, the charter schools cannot cherry pick the best students.
We all talk about local control, but I expect school districts to use block grants--state money--in ways that put our students in the best position to succeed. We cannot provide endless funds to school districts without results.
Source: 2011 Wyoming State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2011
Dave Freudenthal:
Base cuts on valuation of projects, & keep building schools
I do not support the decision to significantly reduce school capital construction. There are 3 reasons. One is about the only thing that is going to generate jobs in this state for construction is going to be public construction. Second, we are getting
some of the most remarkable bids we have ever seen in terms of school construction.I am also troubled by the fact these reductions were accomplished by essentially dropping four projects off the bottom of the School Facilities Commission list, not
based on the valuation of the projects, just sort of, "We need to save $50 million; let's cut it off the bottom."
The decision of the committee to reduce overall funding by 8.5%, based on changes in construction costs, is fine with me. It does not
change the number of projects we will be doing. However, I think we need to be cognizant of the fact that we have told school districts, "If you'll play by the rules, and not come to the Legislature and ask for special bills, we'll keep building schools.
Source: Wyoming 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 8, 2010
Tim Chesnut:
More teachers; more capital funding; and higher salaries
Chestnut indicated support of the following principles regarding education:- Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
- Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
- Support teacher
testing and reward with merit pay.
- Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
- Increase funding for Head Start programs.
- Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
Source: Wyoming 2004 Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2004
Dave Freudenthal:
Increase teacher salaries & school infrastructure spending
Indicate which principles you support regarding education. - Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
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Provide a loan forgiveness program for nurses who stay and work in Wyoming after graduation.
- Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
Source: 2002 Wyoming Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2002
Dave Freudenthal:
Teach both abstinence AND contraceptives in sex ed
Indicate which principles you support regarding education. - Support age-appropriate sexual education programs that teach about abstinence, contraceptives and HIV/STD prevention methods.
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Increase state funding to expand Head Start programs.
- Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
Source: 2002 Wyoming Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2002
Jim Geringer:
$10M per year for college merit scholarships
Our University and our community colleges have a significant capacity to enroll more students. We need to provide greater incentives for our young people to achieve their personal and professional goals through higher education. We hope
to attract as many as 80 per cent of our top Wyoming high school graduates through academic and career enhancing scholarships. Initially, the Horizon Merit Scholarship program would cost $5M per year, increasing to $10M per year once fully implemented.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 10, 2001
Jim Geringer:
$26M for professional and vocational skills training
The most influential factor in attracting new and expanding business to Wyoming will be the quality of our people and their skills. Our challenge is to continue to provide enough skilled labor that meets business needs. We are achieving the diversity
of economic growth we always hoped for and now find ourselves competing in a regional and national market for the most valuable resource - people with the right skills. I am recommending increases in several key areas to attract and keep our citizens’
professional and vocational skill levels highly competitive. - Workforce development funds for company specific training $6M
- Wyoming National Guard Education Assistance Plan $2M
- The Horizon Merit Scholarships for students attending UW and the
Horizon Careers Scholarships for students attending community college $10M
- Funding for the Community College Workforce Training Compact $ 0.3M
- Upgrading our teachers skills in education technology $4.2M
- State employee training $3.7M
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 10, 2001
Jim Geringer:
Reform Charter School law to allow real parental choice
Wyoming has had a charter school law for several years, but it is ranked nationally as the sixth weakest law. As Wyoming parents have tried to exercise their right to form charter schools within our public school system, they have found the current law
unworkable and subject to obstacles and vague interpretations. Given the success with charter schools all across America, I urge you to support Senator Devin’s bill that allows parents a real choice within our current system of public education.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 10, 2001
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021