The strong rally in support of Indiana Superintendent of Public Instructions demonstrates exactly why Indiana needs an appointed state school chief, one who can carry out the policies of the governor, be he or she a Democrat or a Republican.
We are not talking this year, nor in 2016 when the office is next on the statewide ballot, but as soon as the smoke settles, most likely six years from now.
Indeed, as we elect a school superintendent, and the winner turns out for a political party opposite of the governor, we end up with fights and protests such as those that have marked this year in education in Indiana.
And for certain, it is every bit as much the fault of Republicans — the governor and the Legislature — as it is of anyone else.
Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz, a rare Democrat to hold a state office, has been at odds with Republicans since taking office two years ago, running counter to Gov. Mike Pence, the Indiana State Board of Education and Republican lawmakers. And while Ritz came into the state office with little experience, the Republican camp has made something of a mess in trying to control her.
The issue now is whether Republicans can pass legislation to make the chairperson of the state board a selection of the board, and not the school superintendent. Indiana law currently requires that the superintendent automatically serve as the board chairperson.
That is hardly an issue worthy of major debate and yet, because of that legislation, approximately 1,000 educators and supporters of Ritz turned out for a rally in Indianapolis on Monday. Rally participants had other issues to raise with the Republican-dominated legislature, but the chair of the state board seems to have drawn the most interest.
Indeed, as Courier & Press staff writer Chelsea Schneider reported, the role of the chair is largely ceremonial.
It would seem that Republican leaders have needlessly opened a can of worms.
Of course, Indiana has been struggling with education ever since the governor and the legislature pulled Indiana out of the Common Core State Standards that most other states are utilizing. Even though Indiana has now gone shopping for educational standards and Ritz has said the ISTEP test will be shortened by three hours.
And yet, the state finds some 1,000 Hoosiers protesting over who will chair state board meetings.
It was patently silly for Republicans to raise such an issue in the first place.