Local Legislators Vote To Make State Schools Superintendent Appointed In 2021

Friday, January 25, 2019 at 8:15 AM

By Mike Perleberg @mikedup84

A bill passing the Indiana House of Representatives would advance the date on which the State Superintendent of Publci Instruction becomes and appointed position.

Indiana House of Representatives

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - The current Indiana state schools superintendent would be the last one elected by Hoosier voters.

The Indiana House on Thursday voted to pass a bill which moves up the date for the state superintendent to become a position appointed by the governor, instead of a person selected by voters.

The change was set to happen in 2025 under a bill passed in 2016, but this year’s bill moves that date up to 2021.

Last year, current Republican state superintendent Jennifer McCormick announced she will not run for re-election. Her announcement is the likely driver of Statehouse GOP lawmakers to make the change prior to the next statewide election in 2020.

The vote on House Bill 1005 was split along party lines, 70-29. Local Republican state representatives Randy Frye, Randy Lyness, and Cindy Ziemke each voted for it.

The legislation now heads to the Indiana Senate, where a similar bill, Senate Bill 275, has already been introduced and remains in committee.