Your work in the next two weeks in 51 races for seats in the Indiana House of Representatives will determine the future of public education in Indiana.
I am betting that many are so eager to restore public education to a high priority in the General Assembly that they will read to end of this message, share it with like-minded friends, and take action to help one or more of the candidates in the 51 races.
Public schools were hammered by the Indiana General Assembly elected in the last election. The assault on public education has to stop, but it will not stop until voters on November 4th stop it by electing candidates who support public education. Grass root advocates for public education need to go to work in a big way. You can make a huge difference in the next two weeks.
Pundits have already announced that there is no interest in this election and that turnout will be extremely low. My belief is that interest will pick up remarkably in the two weeks prior to the election and that public school advocates who work hard among their neighbors, friends and family can make a huge difference for the future of public education in the 51 House Districts which have not already been decided.
The Indiana Senate analysis will come in a later email.
[Please note: Indiana Code 3-14-1-17 says that government employees including public school employees may not “use the property of the employee’s government employer to” support the “election or defeat of a candidate” and may not distribute this message “on the government employer’s real property during regular working hours.” Ironically, the law does not prevent private school employees from using computers purchased with public voucher money to distribute campaign materials. Private schools now financed in part by public voucher dollars have retained all rights under Indiana’s voucher laws to engage in partisan political campaigns.]
Voucher Expansion: The Ultimate Offense to Public Education
The ultimate offense to public education in the 2013 session of this current General Assembly was voucher expansion, House Enrolled Act 1003. It turned an already harmful 2011 voucher program into a subsidy for private school tuition for students who had already been going to private schools for all of their school careers. It was no longer about helping parents make a choice. The parents had already made the choice. HEA 1003 was about taxpayers paying for the bill for private and parochial tuition, a step toward the leadership’s goal of getting taxpayers to pay the bill for the religious education of all private school students.
We testified repeatedly that the bill would bring a huge new fiscal cost to the taxpayers, ending the overall savings to the state provided by the 2011 voucher program. The majority passed the bill anyway, and fourteen months later when the figures were in, IDOE announced that voucher expansion cost the state $15.7 million. That was subsidy money going to private school parents and to private schools.
To the legislators who voted for voucher expansion, that was a bigger priority than preschool, which got $10 million, than gifted and talented programs, which got $12 million, than English as a Second Language programs, which got $5 million, and certainly more than teacher professional development programs, which got $0 in the new budget.
The 2013 budget gave historically low increases to public education: 2% in 2013-14 and 1% in 2014-15. Indiana had never treated public school so poorly in good economic times. They had a huge surplus available. The majority of the current Indiana General Assembly simply turned against public education, both in funding and in expanding vouchers.
Voucher expansion had bipartisan opposition thanks to the intense lobbying by public school advocates. In the final House vote, 13 Republicans and all 31 Democrats voted against it. They should all be thanked for this crucial final day vote.
Voucher expansion passed by the vote of 55 Republicans. Voters who support public education now have their only chance to speak, and that chance is in the November 4th election.
If legislators who passed voucher expansion can waltz to easy victories, the decline of public education in Indiana will be confirmed. Public school advocates need to take action before November 4th to restore a priority for public education in the Indiana General Assembly.
Here is the analysis of House District races where public school supporters can make a difference:
Group 1: In 26 races, incumbents who failed public schools by voting for voucher expansion are running against opponents who support public education.
Group 2: In 17 races, incumbents who stood up for public schools by voting against voucher expansion are running against opponents who either support vouchers or have not made support of public education part of their campaign.
Group 3: In 2 races, incumbents who stood up for public schools by voting against voucher expansion are running against opponents who support public education. This is a positive but rare situation.
Group 4: In 2 races, incumbents have left the arena and the open seat is a contest between candidates who support public education and candidates who do not.
Group 5: In 4 races, the incumbent was not present to vote on the voucher expansion bill in special circumstances that will be described.
That totals 51 House races where public school advocates can have an impact.
In the other 49 races, the result for public education is already clear, as follows:
Group 6: In 22 races, incumbents who stood up for public education have no opponent in the November 4th election. They should be welcomed backed and thanked for their support of public schools. They include Republican Representatives Baird, Dermody, Koch, Leonard, Mahan, Truitt and Wolkins and Democrat Representatives Bauer, Bartlett, Charlie Brown, Delaney, Dvorak, Forestal, GiaQuinta, Kersey, Lawson, Moed, Pelath, Pierce, Pryor, Vernon Smith and Summers.
Group 7: In 17 races, incumbents who failed public schools by voting for voucher expansion have no opponent. One can only hope they will have an opponent in 2016. They include Republican Representatives Bosma, Steve Braun, Tim Brown, Burton, Devon, Eberhart, Friend, Frye, Huston, Lehman, Lucas, Negele, Speedy, Steuerwald, VanNatter,Washburne, and Zent
Group 8: In 1 race, incumbent Representative Cox was appointed after the voucher expansion vote and now has no opponent.
Group 9: In 6 races, incumbents who failed public schools by voting for voucher expansion have an opponent who has not made support of public education part of the campaign. These incumbents include Republican Representatives Cherry, Culver, Harman, Lehe, Price and Ziemke.
Group 10: In 3 races, there is no incumbent and the only candidate supports vouchers: Districts 48, 63 & 83.
I strongly urge you to review the 51 House races outlined below. If you live in one, go to work there for the candidate who supports public education. If you don’t live in one, pick out one or two others to support by:
- Contacting friends or family who do live in those districts
- Joining the many volunteers who are already working hard on behalf of the candidates who are supporting public education.
- Sending a contribution
Group 1: Incumbents Who Have Failed Public Education
A total of 26 incumbent members of the House badly damaged public education by voting to expand the private school voucher program and now have an opponent who supports public education.
The incumbents deserve an F for voting to expand vouchers in the historic 2103 voucher expansion vote on House Bill 1003.
Their opponents deserve the support of all public school advocates. If public education is going to reverse its losses in the General Assembly, a new group needs to be elected. I urge you to pick one or two of these races and get involved. Here are the 26 races to chose from:
House District 15 – Lake County
Incumbent Hal Slager (R) voted to expand vouchers. Jim Wieser (D), a former president of the Lake County Council, who supports public education is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. Rich James wrote in the Times of Northwest Indiana (1-19-14): “Wieser has chastised Gov. Mike Pence and fellow Republicans for their attacks on Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz and public education.”
House District 16 – Newton, Jasper & Pulaski Counties
Incumbent Douglas Gutwein (R) voted to expand vouchers. Rich Ludington (D) , who has served on the Rensselaer School Board and who supports public education is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. His website says: “Rich will work to reverse the destructive policies of the past two years that threaten our education system.”
House District 21 – Elkhart & St. Joseph Counties
Incumbent Tim Wesco (R) voted to expand vouchers. Jodi Buoscio (D), a teacher at Elkhart Memorial High School with 18 years of teaching experience, who supports public education is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. I grew up in Elkhart and I know there are many strong advocates of public education in the Elkhart area who want better support for public schools than they saw in the Indiana General Assembly since the last election.
House District 28 – Hendricks County
Incumbent Jeff Thompson (R) voted to expand vouchers. Sean Shanley (D), a music educator who supports public education is challenging him, giving public school advocates a choice opposing Representative Thompson on the November ballot for the first time in many years. Sean Shanley’s Facebook page says: “Lack of support financially and increased strains of standardized testing are slowly crushing public schools.”
House District 29 – Hamilton County
Incumbent Kathy Richardson (R) voted to expand vouchers. Joe Marcum (D), a highly respected 37-year teacher and coach in Noblesville is challenging her and deserves the support of public school advocates. On his Facebook page, he wrote on October 16th: “I thought it was interesting that in yesterday's paper, the Republican Party was advocating to increase funding for education, which is what the Democrats have been saying for quite some time. I think the House Minority Leader said it best....remember that this is the same party that "took a meat cleaver" to education funding in the past.”
House District 30 – Howard County
Incumbent Mike Karickoff (R) voted to expand vouchers. Chuck Sosbe (D) , who supports public education is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. His Facebook page states: “While Mike Karickhoff supported private school families receiving tax breaks for school textbook purchases, he has remained silent on this issue while I will go on record stating I support Superintendent Ritz's $70 million budget request.”
House District 35 - Madison & Delaware County
Incumbent Jack Lutz (R) voted to expand vouchers. Melanie Wright (D), a 26-year public school music teacher in Daleville who supports public education is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. Melanie lost to Representative Lutz by only 400 votes in 2012. I have talked personally several times with Melanie about her strong opposition to private school vouchers.
House District 39 – Hamilton County
Incumbent Jerry Torr (R) voted to expand vouchers. David Russ (D) who supports public education is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. His website states regarding public education: “ Private ventures continue to siphon off taxpayer dollars that might otherwise be used as improvement dollars – hindering educators’ resources and negatively impacting the educational experience of the the student.”
House District 42 – Vermillion County & portions of Vigo County
Incumbent Alan Morrison (R) voted to expand vouchers. Mark Spelbring (D) who supports public education is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. Mark’s website states regarding public education: “Public schools should be supported and improved, not disrespected and destroyed. I believe some state leaders badmouthed public school teachers to create a climate where radical changes could be made. Public schools should not have funding pulled away to private and religious schools.” Mark lost to Representative Morrison in 2012 by less than 100 votes.
House District 46 – Owen, Vigo & Monroe Counties
Incumbent Bob Heaton (R) voted to expand vouchers. Jim Mann (D), a 27-year teacher and coach at Terre Haute South who supports public education is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. Jim’s stellar record includes the Terre Haute South Teacher of the Year award, membership in the National Council for the Social Studies and attendance at several ICPE events in support of public education.
House District 52 – DeKalb County
Incumbent Ben Smaltz (R) voted to expand vouchers. Charlie Odier (D), who strongly supports public education and State Superintendent Glenda Ritz is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. The Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education asked on a survey: Do you believe tax dollars should support private and parochial education? Charlie Odier responded: “I believe in separation of church and state. I don't think we should pay to teach one kind or another of religion."
House District 56 – Wayne County
Incumbent Richard Hamm (R) voted to expand vouchers. Phil Pflum (D), who supports public education is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. Phil served in the Indiana General Assembly from 2002 through 2010 and was instrumental in helping to stop Gov. Daniels’ all-out effort to pass private school vouchers in 2005. Phil is a proven friend of public education.
House District 59 – Bartholomew County
Incumbent Milo Smith (R) voted to expand vouchers. Zach Ellison (D), who supports public education is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. Zach, a Vietnam Marine Corps now retired from Cummins Engine and serving as President of Data Cave, a data storage facility, wrote in a September 7th article: "During my opponent’s time as State Representative our state has slashed funding for local schools, and he supported a voucher scheme which has already cost taxpayers $16 million this year, without significantly improving educational opportunities. We simply can't afford to continue in that direction."
House District 60 – Morgan County
Incumbent Peggy Mayfield (R) voted to expand vouchers. Daymon Brodhacker (D), who supports public education is challenging her and deserves the support of public school advocates. Daymon, a Navy veteran and retired teacher and principal in the schools of the Indiana Department of Corrections, wrote in a strong statement on education on his campaign website: “We need to stop underfunding our schools and teachers. We need to stop the effort designed for teachers and schools to fail. We will NOT privatize education. We can do better."
House District 62 – Greene & Monroe Counties
Incumbent Matt Ubelhor (R) voted to expand vouchers. Jeff Sparks (D), current principal of Linton-Stockton Middle School, is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. On Jeff’s website is the following comment on education: “The Statehouse voted to cut public education while extending tax breaks to huge corporations. We need strong schools and as an educator and a legislator, Jeff will fight until we get them. Our kids deserve better.”
Libertarian candidate Ashley Keith-Qualkenbush is also running in District 62.
House District 68 – Union and portions of Franklin and Dearborn Counties
Incumbent Jud McMillan (R) voted to expand vouchers. Rick Gill (D), who supports public education is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. Rick, an Army veteran, retired as Master Trooper in the Indiana State Police in 2011 and currently serves on the Franklin County School Board. He says on his website: “I will work diligently with Glenda Ritz, Department of Education Superintendent.”
House District 70 – Clark County
Incumbent Rhonda Rhoads (R) voted to expand vouchers. Heidi Sellers (D), who supports public education is challenging her and deserves the support of public school advocates. Heidi, who retired from teaching Kindergarten in the West Clark Community Schools after 34 years in the classroom, has a strong endorsement from Glenda Ritz on her Facebook page.
House District 72 – Floyd County
Incumbent Ed Clere (R) voted to expand vouchers. Dr. Kevin Sue Bailey (D), a professor of English Education at IU Southeast with 40 years experience in literacy education, is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. On her video campaign statement, she says: “Public schools are really the heart of the community. . . . It would be very wrong and I am very concerned lately about the Governor’s drive to privatize education.”
House District 73 – Washington County
Incumbent Steve Davisson (R) voted to expand vouchers. Doug Leatherbury (D), an attorney who has now worked on 6000 cases, is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. In a September 29th speech recorded on YouTube, Doug elaborated on his campaign to protect public education: “We know that our education system is under assault. Public education in Indiana and throughout the United States is the foundation for our great progress that we’ve had.”
House District 74 – Crawford & Perry Counties and portions of Dubois, Orange and Spencer Counties
Incumbent Lloyd Arnold (R) voted to expand vouchers. Chris Coyle (D), a paramedic and a graduate of Indiana University, is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. Chris stated in the Dubois County Free Press on May 29th: “In 2012, my opponent spent hundreds of thousands of dollars telling our community he was one of us. Less than six months after being elected, he voted to cut funding to every public school in his district and send hundreds of millions of dollars to private, for profit schools in Indianapolis. No matter what party you are from, that is wrong.”
I had the opportunity to talk directly with Rep. Arnold about all the reasons why he should say no to the 2013 voucher expansion bill prior to the vote. It was a friendly exchange. He listened respectfully, and I had reason to think he might join the no votes. It didn’t happen.
House District 81 – Allen County
Incumbent Martin Carbaugh (R) voted to expand vouchers. Thad Gerardot (D), a graduate of IPFW who works for Lincoln Financial Group, is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. In a survey by the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, when asked “Do you believe tax dollars should support private and parochial education?” Thad responded “No” while Martin Carbaugh didn’t respond to the survey.
House District 82 – Noble County
Incumbent David Ober (R) voted to expand vouchers. Mike Wilber (D), a Sheet Metal Worker and volunteer fire fighter in LaOtto, is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. In the survey by the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education answering the question “Do you believe tax dollars should support private and parochial education?” Mike’s wrote "Absolutely not. Tax dollars should support public schools.”
House District 84 – Allen County
Incumbent Bob Morris (R) voted to expand vouchers. Fred Haigh, a DePauw graduate with a doctorate from Ball State and 30 years teaching experience in the Fort Wayne Community Schools, is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. Fred’s response to the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education on the privatization question “Do you believe tax dollars should support private and parochial education?” was emphatic: "Absolutely not! I believe the first ten words added to the constitution (the first sentence of the first amendment) outline a wall of separation between church and state. Tax proceeds should not be used to support the parochial, ideological, or dogmatic views of a minority or, for that matter, a majority of the public."
House District 89 – Marion County
Incumbent Cindy Kirchhofer (R) voted to expand vouchers. Debra Jenkins (D), who has worked in local government for 30 years and currently serves as Marion County Surveyor, is challenging her and deserves the support of public school advocates. On her Facebook page, Debra states: “I believe in protecting our public schools and making sure teachers have the resources they need so our students are prepared for a 21st century job market.”
I had the opportunity during the 2013 session to have an extended conversation with Representative Kirchhofer during a lunch meeting about the reasons why voucher expansion would hurt public schools. She was non-committal and later voted against the interests of public schools to pass HB 1003.
House District 91 – Hendricks and Marion Counties
Incumbent Robert Behning (R) sponsored HB 1003 to expand vouchers. No member of the House has done more than Representative Behning to undermine public education with his bills to give state funding to private schools. He has called for all private school tuition to be paid by taxpayers in what he calls a “universal voucher.” Patrick Lockhart (D), currently studying at Indiana University is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. On his website, Patrick tells of efforts to contact Representative Behning: “But unfortunately, he couldn’t reply to me, let me know that he heard my concerns as a constituent, and basically at that point I decided that, you know, enough is enough.”
Patrick initiated and led a rally for Public Education on the steps of the Circle in Downtown Indianapolis on October 11th. He has shown great enthusiasm for bringing public education back from the degraded priority that Representative Behning has given it.
House District 93 – Marion and Johnson Counties
Incumbent Dave Frizzell (R) voted to expand vouchers. Ryan Guillory (D), an attorney, a graduate of IU-Bloomington Law School, is challenging him and deserves the support of public school advocates. Goals stated on his Facebook page include: “To return control of our schools to local governments.
To support our teachers and our Superintendent of Public Instruction, and to eliminate the waste of the redundant CECI.”
Those are the 26 incumbents who have failed public education and have a challenger who supports public education.
Group 2: Incumbents Who Have Supported Public Education
Seventeen incumbent members of the House who voted against the 2013 expansion of the voucher program now have an opponent who either supports vouchers or has not made public education part of the campaign.
These incumbents deserve an A for voting to oppose voucher expansion in the historic 2103 vote on House Bill 1003. Two are Republicans and fifteen are Democrats.
If public education is going to reverse its losses in the General Assembly, these friends of public education need your strong support to return to the General Assembly. I urge you to pick one or two of these races and get involved. Here are the 17 races where you can help incumbents loyal to public education:
House District 2 – Lake County
Incumbent Earl Harris (D) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. His opponent is Jayson Reeves (R).
House District 7 – St. Joseph County
Incumbent David Niedgodski(D) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. His opponent is Libertarian Mark Vogel.
House District 10 – Porter County
Incumbent Chuck Moseley(D) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. His opponent is John Johnston (R).
House District 12 – Lake County
Incumbent Mara Candelaria Reardon(D) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. Her opponent is Republican William Fine.
House District 19 – Porter County
Incumbent Shelli VanDenburgh(D), a strong voice for public education in the House Education Committee, voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. Her opponent is Republican Julie Olthoff.
House District 27 – Tippecanoe County
Incumbent Sheila Klinker(D), a strong voice for public education on the House Ways and Means Committee, voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. Her opponent is Chuck Hockema.
House District 34 – Delaware County
Incumbent Sue Errington(D), also a strong voice for public education on the House Education Committee, voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. Her opponent is Republican Stuart Keenan.
House District 36 – Madison County
Incumbent Terri Austin(D) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. Her opponent is Republican James Shelton.
House District 54 – Henry County
Incumbent Tom Saunders(R) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. His opponent is Libertarian Brad Owens.
House District 66 – Scott & Jefferson Counties
Incumbent Terry Goodin(D), also a strong voice for public education on the House Ways and Means Committee, voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. His opponent is Republican Lisa Shadday.
House District 71 – Clark County
Incumbent Steven Stemler(D) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. His opponent is Libertarian Russell Brooksbank.
House District 75 – Warrick, Spencer and Pike Counties
Incumbent Ron Bacon(R) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. His opponent is Steve Spinks (D) who has not clarified his support for public education in his campaign.
House District 77 – Vanderburgh County
Incumbent Gail Riecken(D) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. Her opponent is Republican Jeremy Heath.
House District 87 – Marion County
Incumbent Christina Hale(D) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. Her opponent is Republican Mike Friedman.
House District 92 – Marion County
Incumbent Karlee Macer(D) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. Her opponents are Republican Bradford Moulton and Independent John Couch.
House District 96 – Marion County
Incumbent Greg Porter(D), who speaks up strongly for public education in his position as Ranking Minority Member on the House Ways and Means Committee, voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. His opponent is Republican Margaret Jones.
House District 98 – Marion County
Incumbent Robin Shackleford(D) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. Her opponent is Libertarian Bill Levin
All of these pro-public education incumbents in Group 2 need your support. Primary vote totals indicate the incumbents in this list with the tightest races where your help is vital include:
- Representative Shelli VanDenburgh (HD 19)
- Representative Sheila Klinker (HD 27)
- Representative Terri Austin (HD 36)
- Representative Gail Riecken (HD 77)
- Representative Christina Hale (HD 87) and
- Representative Karlee Macer (HD 92).
Group 3: Incumbents Who Stood Up for Public Education by Voting Against Vouchers Who Now Have Opponents Who Also Support Public Education.
There are two districts in this rare but positive situation:
House District 4
Incumbent Ed Soliday(R) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. His opponent is Deb Porter, a public school teacher and teacher leader, who in her website video says: “We’ve got to do something here in Indiana to change the direction of public education. … We need legislators who will step back and allow Glenda Ritz to do the job that she’s been overwhelmingly elected to do.”
House District 76
Incumbent Wendy McNamara(R) voted to support public education by voting against voucher expansion. She should also be thanked for being one of four Republicans to vote against vouchers in 2011. Her opponent is Tony Goben (D), a case manager in the trustee’s office, who has written on his Facebook page: “I believe in an Indiana that expands our public education system, and does not keep seeking reasons to undermine it. … Our legislature has been side tracked by businesses that want to create “for profit” institutes of learning and want to privatize our public education system. Our children’s education should never be for sale to the highest bidder. When profit comes in to the mix of education, profit will always win. We can not afford that price for our children’s future.”
Group 4: Open Seats Where a Candidate Who Supports Public Education Faces an Opponent Who Supports Vouchers
There are two districts in this situation:
House District 11 – Lake & Porter Counties
James Metro (D) has said in the Times of Northwest Indiana (10-7-14): “They always seem to cut education. We need to find other places to cut. Education should be one of the priorities.”
His opponent Michael Aylesworth has shown no similar interest in making education a priority. In the same article reported on 10-7-14, “he hopes to find money to restore education cuts, but he added he won’t know if it’s possible unless he wins the election.” In an interview by the editors of the Times of Northwest Indiana on 4-21-14, he said “I’m very positive about the use of vouchers in private schools.”
Clearly, James Metro deserves the support of public school advocates.
House District 22 – Kosciusko County
David Kolbe, an attorney, has made support of public education a priority, as quoted in an article by Tim Ashley in Kosciusko County’s Free Digital Newspaper: “We need to ensure schools are sufficiently funded such that we have all available resources to educate our children. I will support legislation that properly funds schools and I am opposed to the voucher program which takes monies from schools.”
Neither Republican Curt Nisly nor Libertarian Michael Stinfer has taken this position in support of public education and in opposition to vouchers. Clearly, David Kolbe deserves the support of public school advocates.
Group 5: Incumbents Who Did Not Vote on Voucher Expansion in 2013 – Four Special Cases
House District 32 - Tipton County and portions of Hamilton, Howard, Madison & Grant County
Incumbent Eric Turner (R) was the only member of the House who did not vote on the 2013 voucher expansion bill, House Bill 1003. In the final vote of 55-44, he was the absentee. Nevertheless, his support of vouchers has been clear for a long time. He voted for vouchers in the historic 2011 voucher battle that first set up the voucher program. Now, in a strange turn of events, he has announced before the election that he will resign his seat just as soon as he is re-elected.
His opponent, Democrat Bob Ashley, has set as one of his priorities: “Saving and restoring our public school system for the sake of today’s students and all those to come.” He wrote in his campaign blog on September 12th: “I will vote to increase education spending, not only to cover textbooks but to meet the needs of schools throughout the state. … Indiana, in recent years, has diverted far too much of the education budget away from public schools and toward vouchers that allow parents to send their children to private and charter schools, depriving local public schools of the money they need to operate effectively to educate our children. We need to strengthen public schools, not undermine them.”
Clearly, Bob Ashley deserves the support of public school advocates over what has turned out to be the absentee candidacy of Eric Turner.
House District 33 - Jay & Randolph County
Incumbent Republican Greg Beumer did not vote on voucher expansion since he was not appointed to his seat until November 2013 when Representative Bill Davis took a job in the Pence administration. In a telling endorsement, Representative Beumer has now been endorsed for election by the pro-voucher group called Hoosiers for Quality Education.
Shon Byrum, a social studies teacher in Winchester, has earned the endorsement of State Superintendent Glenda Ritz. He supports public education.
Libertarian Zeb Sutton is also running in District 33.
The contrast is stark. Clearly, Shon Byrum deserves the support of public school advocates.
House District 45 – Sullivan County and portions of Knox, Daviess, Green & Vigo Counties
Incumbent Bionca Gambill supports public education. She was appointed when one of the legislative heroes of public education Representative Kreg Battles stepped down from his House seat in May. She is running against a long-time supporter of vouchers Bruce Borders, who voted for vouchers in 2011 when he was a member of the House, before he lost to Rep. Battles in the 2012 election. In the election between two sitting members of the House put in the same district by the new reapportionment, support of public education played a big role in the 2012 victory by Representative Battles over Bruce Borders.
With the long record of voucher support by Bruce Borders, the clear choice for public school advocates is Bionca Gambill.
House District 78 – Vanderburgh County
Incumbent Holly Sullivan (R) was not appointed to the House until after the 2013 voucher expansion vote. She filled the seat held by Suzanne Crouch who became the State Auditor appointed after the previous Auditor resigned. On her website, she has shown no interest in deviating from Rep. Crouch’s votes in favor of vouchers in both 2011 and 2013: “I will work to improve K-12 education through choice and opportunity, making higher education affordable, and protecting the freedom of Hoosier families.”
Stephen Melcher (D), a veteran and a two-term Vanderburgh County Commissioner, is challenging her and deserves the support of public school advocates. He recognizes the need for better education funding. In an interview with the Southwest Indiana Chamber, he states: “I don’t know if I would be bragging about a $2 billion surplus when we can’t fund education.”
That Makes 51 Races Where You Can Make a Difference for Public Education!
Thousands of Hoosier parents, educators and community members support public education and have been frustrated at the lack of support for public education in the General Assembly. Intense activity in the next two weeks in the 51 House districts where public education advocates are on the ballot is vital for the future of public education in Indiana.
This is the big test. Hundreds are already working intensively to restore public education. We need thousands more for two weeks! We need your active participation! Please read this list and do what you can.
Thanks for working to support public education!
Best wishes,
Vic Smith vic790@aol.com
There is no link between “Vic’s Election Notes on Education” and any organization. Please contact me at vic790@aol.com to add an email address or to remove an address from the distribution list.
Some readers have asked about my background in Indiana public schools. Thanks for asking! Here is a brief bio:
I am a lifelong Hoosier and began teaching in 1969. I served as a social studies teacher, curriculum developer, state research and evaluation consultant, state social studies consultant, district social studies supervisor, assistant principal, principal, educational association staff member, and adjunct university professor. I worked for Garrett-Keyser-Butler Schools, the Indiana University Social Studies Development Center, the Indiana Department of Education, the Indianapolis Public Schools, IUPUI, and the Indiana Urban Schools Association, from which I retired as Associate Director in 2009. I hold three degrees: B.A. in Ed., Ball State University, 1969; M.S. in Ed., Indiana University, 1972; and Ed.D., Indiana University, 1977, along with a Teacher’s Life License and a Superintendent’s License, 1998.
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