Indiana education board could soon face membership makeover

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The Indiana Board of Education meeting on Thursday could be its last one before it potentially undergoes a significant makeover.

A bill approved last week by legislators takes away two of Republican Gov. Mike Pence’s appointments to the board that’s faced numerous disputes with Democratic state schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz.

Pence would be able to appoint eight people to the board, with the leaders of the Indiana House and Senate making one appointment each. Ritz will remain chairwoman of the board after Republican lawmakers delayed a change to allow the board to elect any member as it leader until 2017, after the next election for state superintendent.

The appointment changes would take effect June 1. Pence hasn’t yet taken action on the bill.