Ritz inaugurated as Ind. school superintendent

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Glenda Ritz has been sworn in as Indiana's top public education official, the first Democrat to hold the position in decades.

The former teacher was inaugurated as superintendent of public instruction Saturday at the Statehouse as a crowd of supporters watched and high school choirs performed.

Ritz upset Republican School Superintendent Tony Bennett in November running a campaign against sweeping education changes pushed by him and other top Republicans.

But Gov. Mike Pence and Republicans who Republicans dominate both the Indiana House and Senate are pushing legislative proposals this year to expand school vouchers and use private money to send children to pre-school.

House Speaker Brian Bosma said in a statement that he looks forward to working with Ritz to do what is best for students.