Legislators Debate Board of Ed Power Shift

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Discussion continues at the Statehouse over a bill that would reshape the leadership of the Indiana State Board of Education. Under Senate Bill 1, the chair position would be selected by the board. Proposed changes issued Monday in a conference committee would not take effect until 2017. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction is currently the automatic chair.

Senator Travis Holdman (R-19), who led this morning's conference committee and is a co-author of the bill, says the board is an “extension” of the legislature and SB1 will reflect that.

The measure would allow the superintendent a seat on the board, but both the chair and a vice-chair would be voted in by the board.

It would also reduce the number of members to nine, with six coming from gubernatorial appointment. Two others would be added by the majority party.

Senator Vernon Smith (D-14) calls the bill “political” and proposes that the minority party have a say in appointing some of the board.

You can view the full bill by clicking here.

Source: Inside INdiana Business