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By Andrew Pillow
The state of Indiana currently has an elected superintendent position. A bill that just passed the full senate would change that.
House Bill 1005 would essentially change the state superintendent job from an elected to appointed position. The language of the bill technically specifies that the elected state superintendent position would be abolished, then immediately replaced by the governor appointed “secretary of education” position.
Governor Eric Holcomb praised the senate’s decision on twitter:
Pleased to see IN Senate advance the bill changing the Superintendent of Public Instruction to an appointed position. #NextLevelAgenda
— Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) April 4, 2017
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This change has been a goal of republicans since Holcomb took office. Many have theorized that this is directly a result of the much publicized strained relationship between former governor Mike Pence and former state superintendent Glenda Ritz.
See the bill here. (iga.in.gov)