Associated Press - May 12, 2009 12:25 PM ET

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - The Wyoming Supreme Court says a school guidance counselor who was laid off is not entitled to the same employment protections as a teacher.

Rebecca J. Luhm had sued Hot Springs County School District 1 after she was laid off from her job as a school counselor in 2003. She had worked for the district on contract since 1990 and the district refused to grant her a hearing on her termination.

The Supreme Court issued a ruling on Tuesday saying that as a counselor, Luhm wasn't working as a teacher under the Wyoming Teacher Employment Law.

Justices William U. Hill and Marilyn S. Kite filed a dissenting opinion saying they would have allowed Luhm to have a district court trial on her claims.

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