Governor Mike Pence and Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz have agreed to bring in an outside education group to mediate ongoing tension between the State Board and the Department of Education.
However, Ritz says the real problem is the governor’s new education agency. The Democrat says she used to meet regularly with Pence, a Republican, to discuss education policy in Indiana. Ritz says that changed in August when he created a new state agency to connect workforce development initiatives across the state.
Now Ritz says the Center for Education and Career Innovation (CECI) is making it harder for her to work with the State Board, which she chairs.
“The board now has its own staff that work under the CECI. So the board staff are — in my opinion — what I would call interfering with the operations over here at the department.”
Ritz called the meeting she had with Pence a “first step.” Together they agreed to bring in the National Association of State Boards of Education to mediate the tension.
Pence said in a statement he appreciated Ritz's cooperation.
“I am grateful to the Superintendent for her willingness to work with my administration to address the challenges and opportunities for Hoosier students, teachers and schools,” said Governor Pence.
Elle Moxley reports for StateImpact Indiana.