CROWN POINT | Stopping in Crown Point Monday, two statewide GOP candidates announced how they would support the governor's initiative of restoring discipline to classrooms.

Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Tony Bennett and Attorney General candidate Greg Zoeller praised Gov. Mitch Daniels' idea of providing legal immunity for teachers who "act in good faith to preserve order in their classrooms or other school settings." Daniels, who is seeking re-election against Democrat Jill Long Thompson, wants to ask the General Assembly to pass the proposed law next year.

Zoeller said school boards often have trouble with the cost of defense, which can run around $20,000, so many school boards opt for settling. He said once the new law is passed, if a teacher is threatened with litigation and the school board decides that the teacher acted appropriately, then he has a client.

"I'm going to come in with everything I've got," he said, adding neither the teacher nor the school board will be financially responsible for the defense. "There won't be any settlements ... We don't settle cases."

Bennett, the superintendent for the Greater Clark County Schools, said the initiative would resurrect the climate of excellence in schools with high expectations and strong discipline. He said it could help schools run more efficiently and would help recruit and retain teachers because they'll be secure in their authority.