Gov. Mike Pence announced Thursday he will dissolve the Center for Education and Career Innovation, an agency created by Pence’s executive order in August 2013 to oversee several state education and career readiness entities.
“Our commitment to aligning statewide efforts in education and workforce development will remain undiminished,” Pence said in a release. “CECI has laid the groundwork necessary to accomplish these goals through other existing agencies and programs.”
The creation of CECI in August 2013 was met by disapproval from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz, who said the agency was taking power away from the Department of Education, which she oversees.
Pence referred to this conflict in his statement by saying someone needs to take the first step to restore harmony and trust in education.
“I welcome the news that the Governor will dissolve the Center for Education and Career Innovation later today,” Ritz said in a press release. “The Governor’s action is yet another sign of the great work that is happening in our schools throughout Indiana and the Department of Education every day.”
The State Board of Education, which used to be under the Department of Education, was moved to the oversight of CECI when the agency was created.
This caused conflict between Ritz, who claimed board members were making decisions behind her back, and the other board members, who claimed Ritz did not make enough of an effort to work alongside them.
Possibly in a move to cut down on the in-fighting between Ritz and other board members, Pence said that going forward, he wants the board to elect its own chair.
Previously, the state superintendent in office would have been named chair of the SBOE.
“Most of the state boards and commissions that I appoint have an elected chair ... The State Board of Education should operate the same way,” Pence said in a release. “Whether the chair is a Democrat or Republican or the Superintendent of Public Instruction or a high school principal, doesn’t matter. What really matters is that the chair can focus on building consensus and getting the job done on behalf of Hoosiers everywhere.”
Tori Fater
