Candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction

The Center for Evaluation and Education Policy (CEEP), WTIU, and WFIU will be hosting Dr. Tony Bennett (R) and Dr. Richard Wood (D), candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, for a debate on September 30, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. The debate will take place in the auditorium at Bloomington High School South. A panel of education reporters will be on hand to pose questions to the candidates and the public will also be invited to ask questions.

This year marks the first time in 16 years that the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction has been an open office without an incumbent seeking re-election. The state superintendent serves as the chairman of the Indiana State Board of Education as well as the CEO of the Department of Education. In those capacities, the state superintendent is called upon to implement the K-12 education laws passed by the state legislature, to implement the policies and procedures established by the Indiana State Board of Education, and to provide technical assistance to school corporations, among other duties.

Dr. Tony Bennett, currently in his second year as the superintendent of Greater Clark County Schools, received his doctorate from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. His experience ranges from building administration to central office administration, and his background includes curriculum and instruction, strategic planning, continuous improvement, school operations, facilities planning and construction, human resources, labor relations, and contract negotiations.

Recently retired, Dr. Richard Wood served for the past 19 years as the superintendent of Tippecanoe School Corporation in Lafayette. Dr. Wood served as President of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents in 1998-99 and was a charter member of the Indiana Education Roundtable. He has an education specialist degree from Butler University and a doctorate in education from Indiana University. At the time of his retirement Wood had one of the longest, continual tenures among Indiana superintendents.

All students, faculty, staff, media personnel, and community members are welcome to attend.

Topic:	Policy Chat Forum: A Debate Between the Candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Speakers:	Dr. Richard Wood, Democratic Candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction
	Dr. Tony Bennett, Republican Candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Time:	September 30, 2008, 6:00 p.m.
Location:	Bloomington High School South, 1965 South Walnut Street
Check our website, http://ceep.indiana.edu, for further announcements.