Fifteen candidates, including all five incumbents, are vying for five open seats on the Indianapolis Public Schools Board of School Commissioners.
Voters have the opportunity to get to know the candidates and their views at a school board candidates forum hosted by Chalkbeat Indiana and WFYI. The forum will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19 at the Indianapolis Public Library, Central Library.
The winning candidates will make up the majority of the board, which will be the first to be elected since the creation of the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation or IPEC. This year, the corporation took over key responsibilities for IPS and charter schools in the city, including managing school buildings and transportation and the ability to put a tax measure on the ballot. School board members continue to be in charge of the district’s policies, goals, and budget. They also hire and oversee the superintendent.
New in this year’s election is the option for school board candidates to be partisan. A vast majority of IPS school board candidates are running as Democrats, a stark contrast to the rest of central Indiana and the state.
Related: 2026 Voter Guide: Meet the candidates for IPS school board
In addition to questions from moderators, candidates will also answer audience questions submitted both before and during the event.
RSVP here to save your seat and see which candidates will attend.
Who’s on the 2026 ballot for IPS school board?
Incumbents are noted with an asterisk.
District 2
- Bryan Duarte, Democrat
- Hasaan Rashid, Democrat*
District 3
- Loren Eugene Heger, Democrat
- Hope Duke Star, Democrat*
- Derek Redelman, Independent
- Daqavise D. Winston, Democrat
District 4
- Chris Bultman, Democrat*
- Lindsey Cornett
District 5
- Nicole Carey, Democrat*
- Yuri Smith Sr., Democrat
- Pearl Taylor, Democrat
At-large
- Heather Houston, Independent
- Angelia Lois Moore, Democrat*
- Alexander S. Nyirendah, Democrat
- Sacha Nicole Sharp, Democrat
How can I vote in school board elections?
School board elections are not included in straight-ticket voting. Although school board candidates now have the option to include a party affiliation, candidates of the same party can run against each other.
Marion County residents can check their voter status and register to vote here.
Early voting began on Oct. 6 at the Indianapolis City-County Building at 200 E. Washington St. Additional early voting sites open on Oct. 24 and can be found online.
On Election Day Nov. 3, Marion County residents can vote at any of the county’s voting centers, which can be found online. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
MJ Slaby oversees Chalkbeat Indiana's coverage as bureau chief. Contact MJ at mslaby@chalkbeat.org.
