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Last updated on Tuesday, February 17, 2015
(STATEHOUSE) - Hundreds jammed into the east atrium of the Statehouse to express support for the state superintendent, though it might be too little and too late.
Some called it a rally for public education, while the hashtag on Twitter was #Rally4Ritz.
Regardless, it was held largely because of bills being considered by state lawmakers that would reduce Glenda Ritz's power as superintendent, and those bills are what brought teachers and other Ritz supporters from across the state to the Capitol.
"Even though they say their bills aren't doing that, that's what it's doing. It's turning her into a powerless figurehead," said Kate Sorrell, a teacher with Indianapolis Public Schools.
One of the bills Sorrell is referring to could have been taken up by the State Senate while the rally was going on, but SB 1 was not called to the floor. That bill would not only have the State Board of Education elect its own chair rather than having the superintendent automatically chair the board, it would also shrink the board from 11 to nine members and give some of the governor's appointments to legislative leaders.
Despite past support among lawmakers for some reform of the board and the superintendent's position, those attending the rally believe they wouldn't be debated had Ritz not beaten Republican superintendent Tony Bennett in the 2012 election.
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