Senate Rules Committee Approves Amended Version of Legislation Providing for Appointed Secretary of Education

STATEHOUSE (March 27, 2017) ― The Senate Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedure today advanced a significantly amended version of House Bill 1005, which would provide for a Governor-appointed Secretary of Education starting in 2025, said Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne).

The committee adopted an amendment to the bill, which substantially changed its contents from a version that was considered in the Senate during the first half of the legislative session. The amended version of House Bill 1005 includes the following provisions:

• Replaces the elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction with a Governor-appointed Secretary of Education starting in 2025.
  
• Establishes the following requirements for a person to serve as Secretary of Education:
  

o Must have resided in Indiana for at least two years;

o Must possess an earned advanced degree, preferably in the administration of public education;

o Must have demonstrated personal and professional leadership, preferably in the administration of public education; and

o Must meet at least one of the following professional criteria:

• Is licensed or employed as a teacher, principal or superintendent at the time of taking office
  
• Has previously had a license as a teacher, principal or superintendent (or combination of those positions) for at least five years
  
• Has previously worked as a teacher, principal, superintendent or education executive (or combination of those positions) for at least five years.
  

“Governors and other state leaders of both major political parties have publicly supported the concept of an appointed Superintendent of Public Instruction for decades,” Long said. “I believe now is the time to make it happen. The changes amended into the bill today will help take politics out of education and ensure Indiana continues to have an education leader with experience, demonstrated leadership skills, and expertise in the field of education.”

The Senate Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedure approved the amended version of HB 1005 by a vote of 8-4.

The bill will now move to the full Senate for further consideration.

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Contact: Skip Brown, Communications Director
skip.brown@iga.in.gov
317-232-9521