STATEHOUSE (April 1, 2025) – State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) sponsored legislation designed to improve the accountability and transparency of school board elections in Indiana.
Senate Bill 287, which passed the House on Monday, includes several provisions that would impact the way school board candidates are nominated, elected and compensated. Among the bill's main conditions, candidates running for school board would be required to disclose their political party affiliation, or state that they are independent or non-partisan, when filing a nomination petition. This change aims to provide voters with more information about the candidates and their positions, while still allowing for non-partisan candidates to run without a political affiliation.
"We want to ensure that voters have a clear understanding of the candidates they are considering for the school board," Prescott said. "By requiring the disclosure of political affiliation, the electorate would have increased transparency to make informed, confident decisions."
Additionally, the bill would prevent straight-party voting from counting toward school board races, ensuring that voters make individual choices for these positions. It also addresses school board vacancies, outlining a more flexible process for filling empty seats depending on whether the vacating member had a political party affiliation.
"Political ideologies can shape everything from curriculum choices to school funding priorities," Prescott said. "It's only fair to voters that they understand a candidate's perspective on these critical issues that directly impact our children and the future of our schools."
Prescott said another significant change includes increasing school board member compensation. Under current law, school board members may receive a maximum of $2,000 annually. The bill would allow an increase of up to 10% of the lowest starting teacher salary within the school corporation, potentially raising compensation to at least $4,000 annually.
The amended Senate Bill 287 must be approved by the Senate to advance. To learn more and watch session and committee meetings, visit iga.in.gov.
-30-
State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) represents House District 33,
which includes all of Blackford and Randolph counties,
and portions of Delaware, Henry and Jay counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
