Ritz asserts Pence’s center wants to weaken her power

The office of Glenda Ritz, Indiana superintendent of public instruction, released a document that Ritz says shows how Gov. Mike Pence’s Center for Education and Career Innovation wants to lessen her authority.

According to a press release from Ritz’s office, the document says the CECI wants to remove Ritz as chair of the State Board of Education, transfer and erode local control over school facilities, and take away authority statutorily given to the Department of Education.

Ritz said the document shows the CECI is attempting to change a governing structure that has worked for more than 100 years under both Democrats and Republicans.

“I am committed to ensuring that the elected Office of the Superintendent continues to serve as chair of the State Board, while preserving the authority of the department to protect the voice of the voters and the integrity of public education in Indiana,” Ritz said in a release.

— Matt Stefanski