The Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) board race is shaping up as a referendum on education reform versus traditional district control. Five of the seven seats are up for election, and a record 15 candidates are vying for those positions. Endorsements released this week make the ideological split unmistakable.
Reform‑oriented endorsements
The education nonprofit Stand for Children Indiana – a coalition of parents, educators and community members who champion the replication of high‑performing charter schools – has endorsed incumbent Angelia Moore (at‑large), incumbent Hasaan Rashid (District 2), Derek Redelman (District 3), incumbent Chris Bultman (District 4) and Yuri Smith Sr. (District 5). Stand’s endorsement committee chair, LaToya Hale‑Tahirou, said she sought candidates who would “continue to replicate charter schools that do a phenomenal job at closing the opportunity gap” while keeping IPS strong.
Similarly, the reform‑leaning nonprofit Rise Indy has thrown its support behind Rashid and Bultman, both of whom were appointed to fill vacancies this year. Rise Indy notes that it may add more endorsements before the November ballot.
Both Stand for Children Indiana and Rise Indy have historically provided substantial campaign assistance – mailers, websites and get‑out‑the‑vote efforts – and together have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to IPS candidates in recent cycles. They are also backing a property‑tax referendum that would increase funding for both IPS district schools and charter schools.
Traditional‑school endorsements
Opposing the reform slate, groups that favor district‑run schools have rallied behind a different slate: Sacha Sharp (at‑large), Bryan Duarte (District 2), Daqavise Winston (District 3), Lindsey Cornett (District 4) and Nicole Carey (District 5). These endorsements come from the IPS Parent Council, the Indiana chapter of the Progressive Democrats of America, and the Indianapolis Education Association (the teachers’ union).
IPS Parent Council president Danielle Cruz emphasized the need for candidates who will “advocate for transparency with IPEC and care about the success of IPS,” stressing that district‑led schools must have a voice amid the upcoming Indianapolis Public Education Corporation (IPEC) takeover slated for 2028.
The Indiana Political Action Committee for Education (I‑PACE), the political arm of the Indiana State Teachers Association, has historically funneled over $69,000 into IPS races and could play a role in supporting the traditional‑school slate.
Election logistics and context
Early voting in Marion County is underway through November 2, with Election Day set for November 3. The race occurs against the backdrop of a new state law that created IPEC – an entity appointed by Mayor Joe Hogsett – which will assume control of school buildings and transportation in 2028. Proponents argue the law advances education equity for the district’s roughly 43,000 students; critics worry it diminishes local control.
While the reform‑oriented groups have not pledged direct financial support for their endorsed candidates this cycle, they remain poised to influence the race through advocacy and the upcoming property‑tax referendum. The traditional‑school groups, meanwhile, are exploring the formation of a political action committee to comply with state contribution limits.
Voters will decide not only who sits on the IPS board but also which vision for Indianapolis education will guide the district as IPEC assumes greater authority. The endorsements underscore a community divided between expanding charter‑style options and preserving district‑run schools, a debate that will play out at the polls this weekend.
Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.
