The bill, Senate Bill 1, is similar to legislation that passed in the Indiana House of Representatives last week, House Bill 1609. A rally took place Monday in which supporters came to the Statehouse in Indianapolis to protest against this legislation and other policy changes being made to public education in Indiana.
Supporters of the bill cite dysfunction in the SBOE as motivations for the bill’s passage. Its critics, however, view it as a personal attack on Ritz.
Traditionally, the position of chairman of the State Board of Education is automatically filled by the superintendent of public instruction. This bill would make the chairperson elected by its other residing members.
This bill, unlike its companion bill in the House that gives Pence the ability to appoint 10 of the 11 members, would give only Pence the authority to appoint four members, two of whom must have experiences as educators.
Daniel Metz
