Stefanie Bell, Trustee                

Education -

My Commitment to Public Education -

I am a public school advocate. I have served as an elected Trustee for Park County School District No. 6 since 2000. My children have all attending Eastside Elementary, Cody Middle School, and Cody High School. My sixth child graduates from CHS May 31st. I am proud of the district, staff, and students. My children each received an excellent education, which prepared them well for college.

Wyoming is an Education State -

The Wyoming Constitution requires the state to "provide for the establishment and maintenance of a complete and uniform system of public instruction, embracing free elementary schools of every needed kind and grade, a university with such technical and professional departments as the public good may require and the means of the state allow, and such other institutions as may be necessary." Wyo. Const. art. 1, §23 and art. 7, §1.

In 1980, the Washakie decision confirmed this view when the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled that the State of Wyoming must "provide for the establishment and maintenance of a complete and uniform system of public instruction, embracing free elementary schools of every needed kind and grade, a university with such technical and professional departments as the public good may require and the means of the state allow, and such other institutions as may be necessary." Wyo. Const. art. 1, §23 and art. 7, §1.

The type of education Wyoming students receive is decided by the Wyoming State Legislature. Should the Legislature decide to reduce educational spending in Wyoming, I believe it must do so by removing something from the "basket of goods." This basket of goods is the education that every child is entitled to. I support the right of every Wyoming child to receive a quality education and the full and proper funding of the basket of goods.

Educational Vouchers -

The Wyoming Constitution prohibits the subsidy or payment to private or religious schools.

"[N]or shall any portion of any public school fund ever be used to support or assist any private school, or any school, academy, seminary, college, or other institution of learning controlled by any church or sectarian organization or religious denomination whatsoever." Wyoming Const. Art. 7, § 8.

Private and Homeschooling in Wyoming -Every parent is their child's first teacher. Parents in Wyoming are entitled to choose public, private, or homeschooling based on their child and family's needs. I support a parent's decision to homeschool or enroll their child in a private school.

Rural Education -

I support and defend rural schools and small school funding in Wyoming. Wyoming is rural, and the schools of Clark, Valley, and Wapiti must be supported through the Legislative Funding Model to provide rural students with the high-quality education granted to every student in our state. I am proud to have served as a board liaison to Valley School for much of my tenure. I support Wapiti School and attend their events and fundraisers annually. Clark, Wapiti, and Valley are distinct and valuable communities in Park County, and the students and schools remain the heart in these areas.