INDIANAPOLIS — Republican legislative leaders said Thursday they were still working out a final plan for changes to the Indiana State Board of Education.
But the proposal could do more than effectively remove state Democratic schools chief, Glenda Ritz, from head of the state board — or change the size of the board and its appointment process. Lawmakers are discussing adding a requirement into state law that the Ritz-controlled Indiana Department of Education shares data with the state board.
Senate President Pro Tem David Long said lawmakers need to take a holistic approach in fixing the state board’s tension. Long, a Fort Wayne Republican, said he’s fielded concerns that even if the chairperson changes, the board will continue to experience dysfunction if there’s not a free flow of information between the Department of Education and the state board.
“I would say that there’s great frustration on the board right now. A lot of it comes from the fact there’s a lot of data they’re not being provided that historically the board has been provided, and they are very frustrated about it,” Long said.
Earlier proposals to require the Department of Education to provide data to the state board died earlier in the legislative session. One bill authored by a Republican lawmaker stated, “The department shall provide any data to the state board that the state board determines is necessary to perform the state board’s duties under law. ”
The bill also required any data sharing to be done in compliance with a federal law that governs student information.
Ritz spokesman Daniel Altman on Thursday refuted claims the Department of Education hadn’t provided information. Altman said his understanding was the department has “always provided data that (the state board) asked for,” subject to any prohibition.
Yet, House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) echoed Long’s comments during a media briefing, saying access to data is an issue lawmakers are currently working on.
“We want to be sure, when the General Assembly leaves town next Wednesday evening, there are statutes in place to see to it that the board functions,” Bosma said.
The reintroduction of the data requirement comes in the final days of the General Assembly, where lawmakers have yet to come to a consensus on the makeup of the state board.
The bill calls for the state board to elect its own chair. Right now, the state superintendent of public instruction automatically fills that role. Even with the changes, Ritz would still remain a member of the state board through her elected office.
The Senate’s original plan reduced the size of the board from 11 to nine members and also changed who makes appointments to the board. The governor currently makes all appointments, with the exception of the state superintendent of public instruction. The version that passed the House increased the board to 13 members, and while most appointments would remain with the governor, legislative leaders would make two appointments.
Changes to the state board are one of several issues lawmakers are working to finalize before the General Assembly adjourns April 29. Lawmakers also are hammering out a new, two-year state budget and potential changes to the state’s gambling industry, including approval of land-based casinos.