Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick to Join Eddie Melton on Statewide Listening Tour

Indianapolis, IN. — State Senator Eddie Melton announced today that Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick will be joining Senator Melton on his statewide listening tour and participating in his “Hoosier Community Conversations” town halls to discuss the state of education in Indiana. 

Melton, who in June announced the formation of a gubernatorial exploratory committee, has been holding town halls to listen to the priorities of Hoosiers as he discusses the need to invest in education, create economic opportunity, raise the minimum wage, and restore faith in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“I am excited that Dr. McCormick will be joining our Hoosier Community Conversations and sharing her expertise and passion about education across the state with me,” said Melton. “It is an honor to share this platform with Dr. McCormick, who has been an advocate for Indiana’s students and families.”

“Indiana needs more state-wide leaders who value the voices of practitioners and community stakeholders, as demonstrated by Sen. Eddie Melton,”said Dr. Jennifer McCormick. “As State Superintendent of Public Instruction, I am optimistic that a potential 2020 gubernatorial candidate has the foresight and the willingness to elevate educational issues and work collaboratively.  This next election will direct the future of our state for generations to come. Decisions regarding the education of our children must be at the very heart of that future.”

A nationally-recognized educator and innovator, Dr. McCormick has served at all levels of the K-12 education system. She has been a secondary special education and language arts teacher, elementary principal, assistant superintendent, and served as superintendent for seven and a half years. She is an advocate for children, dedicated to using her experience to improve educational outcomes for Hoosier students.

“Indiana is at a crossroads,” Melton continued, “We can either make the investments needed to innovate and shape our future, or continue to remain in neutral as we refuse to transition into the new global economy and continue to politicize our education system.”

The office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction was abolished as a democratically elected position this year by Governor Eric Holcomb and the Republican supermajority in the state legislature. The resulting effect is that politicians, not Hoosier parents, now decide who develops Indiana’s education policies.

The dates and times for upcoming Community Conversations and Town Halls are as follows — with those including Dr. McCormick bolded.

WHAT: East Chicago Community Conversation
WHEN:Monday, July 8
WHERE:RSVP HERE
TIME:6 p.m. – 8 p.m. CST

WHAT: Valparaiso Community Conversation
WHEN:Tuesday, July 9
WHERE:RSVP HERE
TIME:6 p.m. – 8 p.m. CST

WHAT: Indianapolis Community Conversation with Dr. McCormick
WHEN: Thursday, July 11
WHERE: RSVP HERE 
TIME: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. EST

WHAT: Lafayette Community Conversation
WHEN: Friday, July 12
WHERE: RSVP HERE
TIME: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. EST

WHAT: Ft. Wayne Community Conversation with Dr. McCormick
WHEN: Monday, July 15
WHERE: RSVP HERE
TIME: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. EST 

WHAT: Connersville Community Conversation
WHEN:Saturday, July 20
WHERE:RSVP HERE
TIME:10 a.m. – 12 p.m. EST

WHAT: Evansville Community Conversation with Dr. McCormick
WHEN: Monday, July 22
WHERE: RSVP HERE
TIME: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. EST 

WHAT: Michigan City Community Conversation
WHEN:Tuesday, July 23
WHERE:RSVP HERE
TIME: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. CST

WHAT: South Bend Community Conversation
WHEN:Friday, July 26
WHERE: RSVP HERE
TIME:6 p.m. – 8 p.m. EST

WHAT: Hammond Community Conversation with Dr. McCormick
WHEN: Tuesday, July 30
WHERE: RSVP HERE
TIME: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. CST

WHAT: Bloomington Community Conversation with Dr. McCormick
WHEN: Thursday, August 1
WHERE: RSVP HERE
TIME: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. CST

WHAT: Terre Haute Community Conversation
WHEN:Saturday, August 3
WHERE:RSVP HERE
TIME:10:30 a.m.  – 11:30 a.m EST

WHAT: Brookville Community Conversation
WHEN:Saturday, August 10
WHERE:RSVP HERE
TIME:11 a.m. – 1 p.m. EST

WHAT: Muncie Community Conversation
WHEN:Wednesday, August 14
WHERE: RSVP HERE
TIME: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. EST

WHAT: Anderson Community Conversation
WHEN: Thursday, August 15
WHERE: RSVP HERE
TIME: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. EST

WHAT: Jeffersonville Community Conversation
WHEN:Thursday, August 22
WHERE:RSVP HERE
TIME:6 p.m. – 8 p.m. EST
 For more information, visit www.EddieMelton.com