January 10, 2019

Evansville Educator Picked As Indiana Education Board Leader

Associated Press
B.J. Watts is the new chairman of the Indiana State Board of Education. - Courtesy Indiana State Board of Education

B.J. Watts is the new chairman of the Indiana State Board of Education.

Courtesy Indiana State Board of Education

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An educator from Evansville is the Indiana State Board of Education's new leader, replacing the Republican schools superintendent who stepped down, citing conflicts with the state's education governance system.

Board members voted Wednesday to elect B.J. Watts as its chairman. He replaces Jennifer McCormick, who announced in October that she would not try to remain as board chairwoman or seek re-election as superintendent in 2020.

Watts is an Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. administrator and was an Evansville City Council member before being appointed to the state board by former Gov. Mike Pence.

Legislative Republicans plan to change the superintendent position to one appointed by the governor effective in 2021. Legislators passed a law making it an appointed position starting in 2025 after policy conflicts with former Democratic Superintendent Glenda Ritz.

Tags:Indiana State Board of Education
Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

 

Related News

‘It’s racist.’ Indy lawmaker blasts Braun for not funding Martin University
Education / January 24, 2025

‘It’s racist.’ Indy lawmaker blasts Braun for not funding Martin University

An Indianapolis Democrat blasted Gov. Mike Braun’s first budget proposal as racist. Braun’s proposed budget would not fund the state’s only predominantly Black university or a state grant program designed to get more first-generation and minority students to college.
Read More
House committee passes measure to prevent additional skill tests for non-accredited diplomas
Education / January 23, 2025

House committee passes measure to prevent additional skill tests for non-accredited diplomas

A bill concerning additional skill tests for people who received a non-accredited, non-public high school diploma received robust debate in the House Education Committee this week and passed out of committee.
Read More
IPS won’t allow ICE inside schools without a warrant
Education / January 23, 2025

IPS won’t allow ICE inside schools without a warrant

Indianapolis Public Schools wrote in an email to families this week that the district will not allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enter schools without a warrant.
Read More