Five members not reappointed in state board overhaul
05/27/2015

 

As expected, the makeup of the State Board of Education received an overhaul Wednesday with new member appointments. Under new law, Gov. Pence is limited to just eight appointments, rather than appointing the entire board. House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate Pro Tem David Long also each gained an appointment.

 

Gov. Pence reappointed David Freitas, Gordon Hendry, Sarah O’Brien, B.J. Watts and Cari Whicker. However, remaining members Troy Albert, Brad Oliver and Tony Walker were not asked to stay on and Daniel Elsener and Andrea Neal asked not to be considered.

 

In a news release, Gov. Pence announced the following appointments:

 

Eddie Melton - Melton resides in Merrillville and is manager of Federal Government Relations and Community Relations with the public utility company NIPSCO.

 

Dr. Vince Bertram - Bertram of Zionsville is the president and CEO of Project Lead the Way.

 

Lee Ann Kwiatkowski - Kwiatkowski is currently assistant superintendent for M.S.D. of Warren Township in Indianapolis. She was previously director of School Turnaround under Superintendent Tony Bennett.

 

Speaker Bosma and President Pro Tem Long announced their appointments to the board today as well and included:

 

Steve Yager – Appointed by Long, Yager is the superintendent of Northwest Allen County Schools.

 

Byron Ernest - Ernest, appointed by Bosma, is currently head of schools for the virtual charter school Hoosier Academies.

 

ISTA issued a statement following the announced appointments saying in part:

 

“We are encouraged by today’s announcement and see it as a fresh start. We are especially glad Cari Whicker will continue to serve on the board as she brings needed continuity.”

 

Earlier this month, ISTA made recommendations for appointments to the state board, including reappointed member Cari Whicker.