New face takes spotlight in state's education system

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - For some Hoosiers, one of the biggest surprises from this year's election was the race for Indiana's Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Democratic candidate Glenda Ritz defeated Republican Tony Bennett Tuesday night, winning 53 percent of the votes.

"One of the things we said when we got here is that we were going to make every decision putting children first without any consideration of whether we would be re-elected or not," Indiana's Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett said.

"From the beginning I said this race was a referendum on education for the children of Indiana. The voters have spoken. They care about our children's future and realize the importance of a quality education system to improve our economy," Indiana's Superintendent of Public Instruction-elect Glenda Ritz said.

Bennett was behind major school reforms during the past four years, including the country's largest school voucher program, something some local school superintendents said was a challenge.

"The reforms came in fast and furious. As with a lot of school districts, on occasion, we were having struggles trying to stay up with everything that was changing," Superintendent of West Lafayette School Corporation Rocky Killion said.

"I believe some of those reform efforts have some opportunity to improve instruction," Superintendent of Lafayette School Corporation Les Huddle said.

As a new leader steps in with fresh ideas, local superintendents in the Greater Lafayette area said the number one expectation they have for Ritz is that she allows local educators to have input in local education.

"As she takes over as our superintendent, is maybe not throw away totally all the reforms, but give educators and communities a real opportunity for input to improving the reform efforts," Huddle said.

"We need to focus on allowing teachers and the professionals in the education system to make educational decisions that are best for their students at the local level and we need to ensure equity for education of all students," Killion said.

"Listening to the teachers, listening to our building staff and understanding what they believe the issues are and getting a feel for what direction this state needs to go," Superintendent of Tippecanoe School Corporation Scott Hanback said.

However, regardless of what decisions Ritz will make while in office, all three local school superintendents said they hope she makes those decisions completely based on what's best for the children of Indiana.