Political action committees have poured over $150,000 into the race for five seats on the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) board, even as a recent Indiana law will transfer much of the board’s authority to a newly created agency, the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation (IPEC).

Major PAC Contributions

The Stand for Children Indiana PAC, linked to the nonprofit that promotes high‑quality charter schools, contributed the largest sum—more than $117,000—according to its pre‑election filing. The Indiana Political Action Committee for Education (I‑PACE), the political arm of the state teachers union, gave $15,500, while education‑reform nonprofit RISE Indy contributed $24,200.

Overall Fundraising Landscape

All candidates together raised more than $257,000, with roughly 22 % coming from individual donors. The figures cover cash and in‑kind donations—goods or services—received between April 11 and Oct. 9.

Impact of the New Governance Structure

Although the newly elected board will continue to oversee academics and the superintendent, it must now follow directives from IPEC, which will design an accountability system and assume control of facilities, transportation and tax‑raising authority. All three PACs told WFYI that the election remains critical for improving student outcomes and for electing a board majority aligned with their education vision.

Union Perspective

Monica Shellhamer, vice president of the Indianapolis Education Association, said the teachers union views the loss of district power to IPEC as a major concern and has backed candidates who support traditional public schools. “We’re very hopeful to be able to shift a new majority to our board,” she said.

Candidate Funding Details

RISE Indy gave the most to incumbent Hasaan Rashid, providing $20,500 in in‑kind support for digital advertising and voter‑database access. Stand for Children Indiana supplied the bulk of incumbent Angelia Moore’s $52,973 haul, mostly in‑kind services and a $3,000 cash donation.

Sacha Sharp, endorsed by the teachers union, raised about $22,000, more than half from individuals, plus a $6,000 direct donation from I‑PACE. District‑2 challenger Bryan Duarte collected $10,820, largely from individuals, with additional support from the teachers union PAC and the Good Fight PAC.

Independent candidates Heather Houston and Derek Redelman each reported modest totals—just over $1,000—though Houston received $1,200 in‑kind training from RISE Indy. Redelman’s $42,436 total came primarily from Stand for Children in‑kind contributions.

Other candidates saw varied results: District‑3 contender Yuri Smith Sr. raised roughly $19,600, mostly from Stand for Children; incumbent Nicole Carey reported $15,825, including $3,000 from the teachers union PAC; and incumbent Hope Duke Star raised no money this cycle, a sharp drop from her 2022 effort.

Referendum Funding Campaign

The campaign supporting a $95 million four‑year property‑tax referendum for IPS and charter schools has raised about $107,000, almost entirely from Stand for Children’s national PAC. RISE Indy is also assisting the referendum effort through canvassing, advertising and social‑media outreach.

Election Context

This is the first IPS board election in which candidates run as partisan‑affiliated, though no candidate received direct party or party‑PAC support. All filed as Democrats except independents Heather Houston and Derek Redelman, with Lindsey Cornett running as an unaffiliated candidate.

Early voting is underway, and the election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3. Candidates must file finance reports within 48 hours of receiving contributions of $1,000 or more after Oct. 10, with a full year‑end report due Jan. 20, 2027.

Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.