Twenty-seven candidates filed to run for 18 seats on Hamilton County school boards in the Nov. 3 general election.
This is the first Hamilton County school board election held under a new state law that makes the races partisan. As of July 2025 candidates can declare a political party, declare as an independent, or choose not to list any affiliation, and that designation appears on the ballot next to their name.
To declare a major-party affiliation, a candidate must have voted in that party's last two primary elections, or get approval from the county party chair. There is no primary process for school board candidates.
The change was championed by Republican lawmakers and other advocates who said it would give voters more information about who they're electing. Critics say it risks pulling more partisan politics into school governance.
Read more about how the new law works here.
The election also comes as Hamilton County school districts weigh asking voters for more money. Property tax caps have squeezed school budgets across Indiana, and several Hamilton County districts are considering or have already moved to put operating referendums on the November ballot to help close funding gaps.
The boundaries of Sheridan Community Schools cover parts of both Hamilton and Boone counties.
The filing deadline for candidates was noon June 18, 2026. Winners of the November election will begin their terms in January 2027.
School boards have four core responsibilities: adopting policies, approving the annual budget and overseeing district finances, setting goals, and hiring and evaluating the superintendent.
School board members don't oversee day-to-day school operations. Candidates for at-large seats represent all residents within a district's boundaries.
Here's the list of candidates, according to the Hamilton County Election Office's final candidate filings:
Carmel Clay Schools
District 1
Stephanie Flittner, Republican
District 2
Jennifer Cashin, Republican (incumbent)
District 3
Michele L. Kirby, Democrat
Hamilton Heights School Corporation
Jackson Township
Julie A. Davis, no party (incumbent)
White River Township
Benjamin G. Lehman, no party (incumbent)
At Large
Richard (Jack) Russell, no party
Hamilton Southeastern Schools
District 1
Faiza Maqsood, no party
Greg Wright, Republican
Anthony Jason Wren, Libertarian
District 2
Josh Perry, no party
Cyrus Keck, no party
Ferras B. Abdalla, no party
District 3
David Turk, Republican
Michelle Fullhart, no party
District 4
Stephanie Braden, Independent
Noblesville Schools
At Large (two seats)
Joe Forgey, Republican (incumbent)
Misti Ray, Republican
Denise M. Dye, Republican
Elizabeth D. Sampson, Republican
Sheridan Community Schools
Adams Township (two seats)
Kim Zachery, no party (incumbent)
Tyler Henning, Independent (incumbent)
At Large
Nancy Boone, no party (incumbent)
Westfield Washington Schools
District 2
William Wayne Anderson, Republican (incumbent)
District 4
Rebecca L. Ogle, Republican (incumbent)
Steven Castle, no party
At Large
Gabriel Crawford-Paree, Democrat
Amber Huff Willis, Republican (incumbent)
Eric Weddle is WFYI's education editor. Contact Eric at eweddle@wfyi.org or follow him on X at @ericweddle.
