A former classroom teacher and former Wyoming Department of Education employee has announced that she will run for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Republican Jillian Balow says she has four goals.
“Enhancing local control in the school districts; increasing collaboration across the state with multiple stakeholders; empowering parents to be more involved with education; and I’m also tackling the political issues that have dominated education in Wyoming.”
Balow said she wants to work to make sure any education standards Wyoming adopts gets input from local school districts. She said that is because she is a strong supporter of local control.
“I support the development of high standards for everybody. I also know that a one size fits all approach doesn’t work across the nation, much less across Wyoming. So, local districts really need to have the flexibility to meet standards, to determine curriculum, and to meet the needs of students in their community.”
Balow said that even if the legislature is able to successfully change the job of the superintendent, there are ways to make an impact on education.
Balow currently works in the Department of Family Services where she oversees early childhood education issues. Democrat Mike Ceballos also running for the office. Current Superintendent Cindy Hill has said that she plans to run for governor.