Gov. Mike Pence has reappointed four members to the State Board of Education. Pence announced that Indiana developer Gordon Hendry, Lake County attorney Tony Walker, Evansville teacher B.J. Watts and Huntington teacher Cari Whicker would serve new four-year terms. Hendry, Walker and Watts are Democrats. Whicker is a Republican, and daughter of Pence adviser Jeff Espich (ESS'-pick). State law prohibits more than six members being from the same party. Democratic Schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz sued the other members of the board last year after they sought to speed up development of a new school-grading system. A Marion County judge ultimately tossed the case, but it is one of many showdowns that have continued between Ritz and the governor-appointed board members.
