All About Charter Schools inWyoming: Charter Legislation and Law, Charter School Numbers, Enrollment and Academic Achievement, and Charter School Resources and Support Organization Contacts, as well as Wyoming Department of Education Charter School Offices

Charter Schools in Wyoming

Law:   Passed in 1995

Rank:  11th weakest of the nation's 40 charter laws

CER Grade:   C

Schools:   1

Students:   110

DEVELOPMENTS:

Another Step Forward: The Wyoming state legislature successfully passed a new and improved charter school bill, which Governor Geringer signed into law. The original law was signed in 1995. But in the 6 years that the original law has been in place, not one charter school has been created. That should change with the new, more flexible charter school law. Some key improvements to the new law include the following: the petition requirement has been removed, a funding formula of 95% of the Average Daily Membership was added, protection for teachers against reprisal, and conditional approval so applicants can have an opportunity to obtain funding. Applicants can waive state statutes, can apply as a non-profit, and don't have to pay rent if they use a district facility.

In March 2000, Nancy and Trey Hamilton put forth a proposal for Snowy Range Charter School. But after hundreds of hours, meetings and more, they're still at a standstill. Wyoming's law is the only one in the nation that requires 12 district teacher signatures before they can present their proposal, and the teachers have been led to believe that the Snowy Range Charter School proposal would crush their district. But Nancy and Trey will persevere in their efforts to break the misconceptions that abound in little Albany County. "If parents do not work to change the system it will remain at status quo. We believe we can make a difference," they say. Holiday 2000 Monthly Letter, Toast to Reformers.

TWO STEPS BACK: Laramie parents who have been working to start a charter school since 1998 are running into roadblocks. Unfortunately, Wyoming law only allows local school boards to charter, which means there's always a request for "more study." The law also requires teacher support, which has been difficult to obtain after a sustained disinformation campaign by the teachers union, raising charges of segregation, end of tenure, end of promotions and retaliation from colleagues. Despite a $10,000 planning grant, the group is stymied by the nation's 6th weakest charter law and a status-quo school board. CER Newswire, October 17, 2000. See also CER Holiday Newsletter 2000.

ONE STEP FORWARD: The grassroots effort to bring about better schools in Wyoming may begin to yield fruit. The home-grown Wyoming Citizens for Educational Choice announced that it received a grant from a national foundation and is on its way to creating a charter school tentatively named the Snowy Range Academy. Now the group must fulfill the state's law by getting parent and teacher signatures and then approval from the school board. CER Newswire, June 8, 2000. See CER Monthly Letter November 2000 for an update.

RESOURCES:

SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:

Wyoming Citizens for Educational Choice
81 Satanka Road
Laramie, WY 82070

Contact: Janice Womack
Phone: (307) 742-8538
Email: jkwomack1@yahoo.com

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:

Wyoming State Department of Education
2300 Capitol Avenue
2nd Floor, Hathaway Building
Cheyenne, WY 82002

Contact: James Lendino , Charter School Administrator
Tel: 307-777-6268