Glenda Ritz

Glenda S. Ritz (born 1952) is the incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction for Indiana. Ritz was elected in 2012, defeating incumbent Superintendent Tony Bennett in an upset election. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life and education

Ritz was born in Lafayette, Indiana and graduated from Jefferson High School. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Ball State University, and received a second master's degree in library science from Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis.

Early career

Before her election Ritz worked as an educator and Media Specialist for many years. She won teacher of the year awards at two different schools and is one of 155 nationally board certified teachers in the state of Indiana. She served as President of the Washington Township Education Association for 15 years leading up to her election. While she served as President of the Washington Township Union, she also served on the board of ISTA.

State superintendent

In her first run for public office Ritz was unanimously selected by Democrats to be their nominee to take on first term incumbent Dr. Tony Bennett. Bennett had taken the lead in a series of controversial educational reforms in the state. Despite this Ritz was seen as a huge underdog with Bennett enjoying a substantial fundraising advantage and support of many prominent Republican officials. In seven of the nine counties surrounding Indianapolis, Tony Bennett outpaced Glenda. But she won Marion and Madison counties with a landslide. Ritz won the election in an upset, capturing 53% of the vote.

She received more votes than either Governor Mike Pence or Senator Joe Donnelly and won many traditionally conservative areas. She ran what was seen as a grassroots campaign, relying on support from the Indiana State Teachers Association and local teachers unions. She is the first Democrat to serve in the office in 40 years and the first Democrat to win any down ballot race in the state since 1996.

Ritz took office on January 19, 2013. In one of his first acts as Governor Mike Pence removed Ritz from control of the Educational Employment Relations Board, which is in charge of handling conflicts between unions and school boards. Ritz plans on advocating changes to the educational system such as ending the A-F grading system of schools and slowing the expansion of school vouchers. Much of this depends on approval of the Republican controlled state legislature. There has been talk of eliminating her position and making State Superintendent a position appointed by the Governor of Indiana.

Personal

Ritz has been married for over 35 years and has two sons.

References

• Official site