State Board Members, Ritz Allies Take To Social Media Ahead Of Likely-Contentious Meeting

What follows is a brief recap of the latest spat in the protracted, highly-politicized battle for control of Indiana’s top education policymaking panel.

It appears that battle is headed for a conclusive showdown on Friday, with State Board of Education members set to meet to vote on several controversial measures that could limit Indiana schools chief Glenda Ritz’s authority and empower Gov. Mike Pence’s newly-formed education agency.

Both sides are digging in. The state’s largest teachers union, the Indiana State Teachers Association, blogged that State Board members “will remove roles that State Superintendents have possessed as Chair of the board for years” at Friday’s meeting. They asked Ritz supporters to contact board members to express their concerns.

Board member Brad Oliver took to Twitter to respond, saying the ISTA was spreading “misinformation” and that Ritz herself had been involved in public discussions about board procedures.

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