Morning Bell: Vacant School Sales, The Ritz ‘Trump Card,’ Common Core… and More!

U.S. National Archives / Flickr

An abandoned school.

Indiana House OKs looser rules on selling old schools– “School districts would get a break on how long they have to hold onto their vacant buildings as possible charter school sites under a measure the Indiana House approved Monday.” We marked this bill’s Senate cousin as one to watch this session. AP

Is Glenda Ritz a bipartisan trump card for the GOP? – “It seems ‘Ritz’ has become a magic word when it comes to education policy. And the word means ‘bipartisan.'” Get On The Bus

Legislative roundup: Pre-K, vouchers, Common Core and more – Steve Hinnefeld and Terry Spradlin offer their insights on several pieces of legislation, including a pre-K pilot program bill. School Matters

FWCS talks using state standards – “A presentation Monday sparked discussion and questions from Fort Wayne Community Schools board members on the district’s progress of implementing new state standards… A bill before the Indiana Senate calls for the state to withdraw from its participation in the national set of standards and coordinating assessments.” Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Housing plan for ISU moves forward – “Indiana State University may be one step closer to offering downtown student housing.” Terre Haute Tribune Star