Lafayette native seeks State Superintendent of Public Instruction position

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Just about everybody has a little bit of hometown pride in them. And Glenda Ritz is no exception.

Ritz was born and raised in Lafayette and graduated from Lafayette Jefferson High School. She then continued her education and eventually obtained two master's degrees.

"I'm certified in special education and general education. Got my degrees from Ball State University. I also have my master's degree from IUPUI in library science," said Ritz.

Ritz then went on to teach for 33 years at the elementary, middle school and high school levels.

Ritz joined Democratic State Representative Sheila Klinker at an education fundraiser Wednesday night. 

Ritz said the penalty for not passing the reading assessment test that all third graders take, IREAD-3, is too extreme.

"When the government decided to keep a list of retained students that did not pass the IREAD-3 test, I thought that was a little over the top. So I decided to get into the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction," said Ritz.

Ritz is also a firm believer in in local control of schools as opposed to state control.

"Voters seem to be very concerned about the state of Indiana taking over schools and giving them for non-for-profit company. Indiana has a contract with those companies and they can make as much profit as they want to make at the taxpayers expense," said Ritz.

She is also against state funding for charter schools.

"I am for public dollars going to public education," said Ritz.

In her speech to teachers, Ritz expressed the importance of in-depth teaching. She said it's time to steer away from teaching to standardized tests.

Ritz is a two-time Teacher of the Year Award winner and currently a part-time media specialist at Crooked Creek Elementary School in Indianapolis.

She and her husband have two adult children.