Indy Standard

State Representative J.D. Prescott of Union City has sponsored a bill to enhance transparency and accountability in Indiana's school board elections. Senate Bill 287 was passed by the House on Monday and proposes changes to how school board candidates are nominated, elected, and compensated.

The bill requires candidates to disclose their political affiliations when filing a nomination petition, aiming to provide voters with more information while allowing non-partisan candidates to run without affiliation. "We want to ensure that voters have a clear understanding of the candidates they are considering for the school board," said Prescott. "By requiring the disclosure of political affiliation, the electorate would have increased transparency to make informed, confident decisions."

Another significant measure in the bill would prevent straight-party voting from counting toward school board races, promoting individual choices in these elections. The process for filling school board vacancies would also become more flexible, accommodating whether the vacating member had a political party affiliation. Prescott noted, "Political ideologies can shape everything from curriculum choices to school funding priorities. 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."

The bill also proposes an increase in compensation for school board members. Currently capped at $2,000 annually, compensation could rise by up to 10% of the lowest starting teacher salary within the school corporation, potentially increasing to at least $4,000 a year.

Senate Bill 287 now awaits approval by the Senate. Additional information and session and committee meetings can be accessed at iga.in.gov.