It is a stretch to say that politics did not play a role in a bill which would allow the Indiana State Board of Eduction to choose its own chair. But some did.
The House Education Commission passed the bill 8-3 this past week, with supporters saying it is needed to help remove politics from the state board. In fact, board chairwoman Glenda Ritz, the elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, pointed out it is just the opposite; by the Republican appointed board choosing to replace Ritz as the chair, it is a political decision.
Of course, with Republicans holding an overwhelming majority on all legislative boards, the GOP can control all those government panels.
The real political decision, whether it comes this year or four years from now, is whether the Republican-controlled board will eventually decide to make the superintendent of public instruction position an appointed instead of an elected position. This newspaper has campaigned for years to make it an appointed position, thus ending conflicts between the elected superintendent and one appointed by the governor. Indiana does not need two officials making educational policy decision.
But we have been sympathetic to those lawmakers who say give Ritz another chance at a four-year term before making it an appointed position.
Meanwhile, we expect the Republican majority to continue moving forward in reducing the role of the state board of public instruction. Indeed, an Indiana Senate committee will review three similar bills on Monday, as the issues marches forward during this Republican-controlled session.