Move to oust Ritz as ed board chair gets closer to becoming law

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Published: Wednesday, 15 April 2015 20:46

INDIANAPOLIS – The House passed a bill on Tuesday (April 14) that gives the State Board of Education the power to elect its chair.

Senate Bill 1, authored by Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, would end an arrangement unique to Indiana and Oklahoma, which are the only states in which the elected superintendent of public instruction automatically serves as chair of the state board of education.

The bill is controversial because it would remove current Superintendent Glenda Ritz, a Democrat, as board chair before her term is finished. Ritz would remain in charge of the Department of Education and could be elected the board’s leader, but that’s unlikely given ongoing tensions between her and its members.

The bill would add two additional members, who would be appointed by leaders of the General Assembly. That would bring the total board membership to 13, with 10 appointed by the governor. The superintendent would continue to serve on the board. The bill also requires that at least six members of the board must hold a teacher’s license and be employed in an Indiana school.

Rep. Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, said despite the controversies, the bill is about public policy, not politics.

There was no discussion on the bill, but the vote revealed a divided chamber. The House passed the bill 55-41 and it now moves back to the Senate where changes made by the House will be considered.

Article writer Adam Lee is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.