Bennett admits he doesn’t have a problem with the companies who run these charter schools netting a profit from my tax dollars. In fact, he has been eliminating educational freedoms for the children of Indiana one child at a time, all the while taking in HUGE campaign donations from wealthy, out- of-state donors.  

I am a Republican who voted for Tony Bennett four years ago. Not this time! Tony Bennett betrayed my trust as a public educator.

He has systematically worked to pass laws in the name of teacher and school accountability while at the same time imposing unrealistic expectations that even the most dedicated classroom teachers cannot attain unless they are SUPER HEROES.

Tony Bennett is setting up schools for failure with his controversial A-F Accountability Report Card school evaluation system. Bennett’s “Accountability” buzz word is a thinly veiled attempt to further his own agenda.  

Meanwhile, Bennett rules from the top down issuing all sorts of unfunded government mandates to public schools.  Republicans claim to want LESS government intervention, yet under the direction of Tony Bennett, there has been MORE intervention from the Indiana Department of Education.

Further proof of Bennett’s support for his charter school agenda was evidenced in remarks he made regarding public schools in the Sept. 23, 2010, Madison Courier. “When the first school closes because it cannot meet the needs, we will be successful. What a beautiful day that will be.” 

Tell me, is this the kind of person you want leading Indiana’s schools? And, if he is the Superintendent of PUBLIC instruction, should he not SUPPORT public instruction?

The worst thing we can do as parents, teachers and taxpayers is to remain silent. There IS an alternative. His opponent on Tuesday, Nov. 6, is Glenda Ritz. Glenda is an award winning teacher with achievements too numerous to list.

She is a tireless advocate for students and educators who intends to bring common sense and high-quality learning to classrooms throughout Indiana public schools. Glenda Ritz does not have the big-money backing that Tony Bennett does.

Glenda Ritz is running an honest, grassroots campaign made up of people who care about education. I urge you to talk to teachers, parents and students.  Visit www.ritz4ed.com for information. On Nov. 6, I invite you to join me and vote for Glenda Ritz for Superintendent of Public Instruction of Indiana. 

Let’s stand up and take our schools back!
 
Kate Nicolai
Lawrenceburg