IPS school board appoints Hasaan Rashid to District 2 seat he once lost

The Indianapolis Public Schools board voted 4-2 Thursday to appoint Hasaan Rashid, a salesman and music festival founder, to its vacant District 2 seat — bringing new leadership to a board facing a fiscal crisis.

Rashid will be officially sworn in at the board's April agenda review session. He will serve through the end of 2026, when the seat will be on the November ballot along with three others.

The position became vacant earlier this month when Gayle Cosby resigned, citing health challenges. Cosby beat Rashid for District 2 in the 2024 election. The seat represents areas including the Massachusetts Avenue passageway northeast of downtown.

IPS Board President Hope Duke Star, who voted for Rashid, said the appointment reflects the board's commitment to working across differences at a difficult moment for the district.

"We find ourselves in 2026, and we are having to do what we talked about — leading," she said. "We are now going to make the decision, and have made the decision, to work with other leaders in this community in a collaborative way so that we can solve for what is best for the kids inside of our boundaries."

Commissioner Allissa Impink backed the other candidate for the seat, Purdue University education assistant professor Bryan Duarte — who had also received the endorsement of Cosby in the days before the vote. Over the past year, Duarte has been a regular presence at public meetings, advocating for a fully elected school board and opposing legislation that would force IPS to be overseen by a mayor-appointed board.

"What I know about our board is that we are strongest when we bring different strengths to the table and stay grounded in doing what's right for students," Impink said. "My vote for Dr. Duarte reflects that I believe that he brings a perspective and skill set that will add value to our work and at a time when our decisions matter more than ever."

Impink and Nicole Carey voted for Duarte. Commissioners Angelia Moore, Deandra Thompson and Ashley Thomas joined Duke Star in voting for Rashid.

Rashid did not speak at Thursday's meeting.

Rashid works is sales in the water and sewer industry and is the founder of the annual Brendon Park Live Music Festival. During the 2024 election, he said his top priority was addressing a literacy crisis he described as foundational to students' long-term success. He was supported by RISE Indy and Stand for Children Indiana, organizations that have pushed for district reforms.

He joins the board at one of the most consequential moments in the district's recent history. IPS projects ending this year with a $40 million cash deficit. Without a voter-approved operating referendum on the November ballot, the district will run out of money. State property tax reform, a mandate to share revenue with charter schools and declining enrollment have all tightened the financial picture.

Earlier this year, state lawmakers also created the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation — a new body whose members will be appointed by the mayor, not elected by voters. It will assume control of IPS buildings and transportation and hold powers historically reserved for the elected school board, including the ability to collect and levy property taxes.

At Thursday's meeting, the board also approved a $678.8 million budget appropriation for next school year, including cuts that will reduce individual school budgets by a combined $7 million — reductions that could affect staffing across the district. 

At his board interview Tuesday, Rashid acknowledged difficult choices ahead.

"Some things are going to have to be cut and we have to be clear and concise on what is best for the students," he said.

On the question of charter school expansion, Rashid told WFYI and Chalkbeat Indiana in a 2024 voter guide that quality — not growth — should drive decisions. "We should not expand for expansion's sake," he said. 

"Our priority should be ensuring that all public schools, regardless of their model, provide students with a high-quality education."

Eric Weddle is WFYI's education editor. Contact Eric at eweddle@wfyi.org or follow him on X at @ericweddle.