Two bills in the Indiana General Assembly would allow the governor to appoint a state superintendent of public instruction, rather than keeping it as an elected office.
Legislators hope the change would make the position less political, though the superintendent of the county’s largest school district disagrees with the proposed changes.
Senate Bill 179, authored by Sen. Jim Buck, R-Kokomo, would have the governor add the state superintendent to their campaign, similar to a lieutenant governor. House Bill 1005, authored by Speaker of House Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, would abolish the position altogether and instead allow the governor to appoint a secretary of education. Both would take effect during the next election if either were passed.
Indiana is currently one of 13 states that still elect the state superintendent. Buck said that in the past both Republican and Democratic governors have requested this change, and that it has been an issue for about the last 30 years.
Buck said that the governor has the ultimate responsibility over Indiana education, and by allowing future governors to appoint their state superintendents, it would make them more accountable. He also said that when governors and superintendents have a tense working relationship it is difficult for the governor to implement an educational agenda.
Brad Lindsay, superintendent of Marion Community Schools, said that he is not in favor of changing the way the state superintendent of education is chosen because an election allows everyone’s voice to be heard and gives voters a choice on whether they want a Democrat or Republican as the leader of education in the state.
He said that this legislation seemed to be based on the idea that the governor and state superintendent would not be able to work together.
“Diversity of thought is better, and we should be doing what’s best for our kids,” Lindsay said. “The common mission should be the same, regardless of the party.”
Lindsay said that if anything were to change, he would prefer that The School Superintendents Association nominate a Republican and Democrat candidate and have the governor choose from those picks.
Rep. Kevin Mahan (R-Hartford City) said that it is time for Indiana to switch to an appointed state superintendent based on how politics have interfered with education.
“It’s the most political non-political issue ever,” Mahan said. “This would help remove politics from education.”
Mahan said that it is unfortunate timing to introduce this legislation just after a new state superintendent has been sworn in. Buck said that he has discussed the bills with Jennifer McCormick and that she “seemed receptive.”
The House bill has not yet had a first reading. The Senate bill recently passed the first reading and will go to a second and third reading in the coming weeks. If it passes the third reading it will then go on to the House for a vote.