Indiana’s Senate Bill 287, authored by State Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville), proposes introducing partisan labels to school board elections. This move has ignited a statewide debate on the potential implications for schools, educators and students.
Senate Bill 287 requires candidates running for school board to declare a political party affiliation or opt for an independent status, introducing partisan elections to what have traditionally been nonpartisan positions. Byrne, a former school board member, argues that this change would provide voters with clearer insights into candidates’ ideologies.
The proposal has met with considerable opposition.
Critics contend that injecting partisanship into school board elections could divert focus from educational priorities to political agendas. Concerns have been raised that such a shift might deter qualified individuals from running for these positions, especially those who prefer to remain unaffiliated with political parties. Additionally, there is apprehension that partisan dynamics could influence staffing and policy decisions within schools.
The bill’s sponsor in the house, State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City), argues the bill will help voters understand who they are electing to the school board.
“This information will help voters decide which candidate best aligns with their values,” Prescott said. “This change would also help drive up voter turnout in school board elections.”
The Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) opposed the legislation and issued the following statement in response to the vote:
“ISBA has fought against the move to partisan school board elections for multiple sessions dating back to the 2022 session of our state legislature. ISBA’s longstanding position has been to keep school board elections nonpartisan, like in 41 other states in the U.S. While the Indiana General Assembly has now voted to make school board elections partisan, once elected, ISBA will encourage school board members to leave politics at the boardroom door by working collaboratively to focus on what is best for our one million public school students. School board members should also conduct themselves in a manner that models effective board governance practices, regardless of party affiliation.”
Other officials who oppose the legislation include:
House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne)
“Nothing about SB 287 solves our teacher retention or student literacy crisis — which is what the General Assembly should be focusing on instead of finding new ways to make our lives more exhausting and divisive,” GiaQuinta said.
Chair of the Indiana Democratic Party Karen Tallian
“Hoosier school board members include community servants and local leaders. They do not wish to be involved in the same partisan politics that consume Washington and Indianapolis,” Tallian said.
State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis)
“School boards need to focus on serving the needs of our kids. The decision to elect someone to the school board should be based on what they are going to do to improve literacy and math skills, recruit quality teachers to address the teacher shortage and prepare students for the workforce or higher education.
“Across the state, this is an unpopular policy. There is enough politics everywhere else. We don’t need politics in our school boards,” Pryor said.
State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary)
“Our school boards exist to oversee the education, future and well-being of our children. Their job is not to ban books or to address the topics of race, gender or sexuality. Republicans want partisan school boards because they believe it will help them win elections. They lost some key races in some districts, and now they want to change the process to be in their favor.
“Injecting partisan politics into our schools will bring about more strife to our communities. This is far from what is best for our students and their futures,” Smith said.
The bill has passed in the Indiana House and now goes back to the Senate for further consideration.
For more information on Senate Bill 287, including its progress and full text, visit the Indiana General Assembly website at iga.in.gov.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
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