Op-Ed: School Board Elections Can and Should Be Transparent
This op-ed originally appeared in the June 10, 2026, edition of the Bluffton News-Banner.
Candidate filing for this year's school board elections is now underway and continues through June 18. As individuals consider whether to seek office, I encourage strong candidates to file using a political party affiliation and provide voters with a clear understanding of who they are and what they believe.
For years, school board elections have occupied a unique place in local government. School boards oversee some of the largest budgets in our communities, make decisions that directly impact families, and influence the education of future generations. Yet many candidates have run under a "non-partisan" label, which often leaves voters with little information about the values and philosophies that guide them.
This year marks an important change. For the first time, school board candidates in Indiana may choose to run with a political party affiliation. That change provides voters with more information, not less. As candidates file for office, they will have a choice: embrace greater transparency by disclosing their party affiliation or maintain the status quo of running under a non-partisan label.
Some argue that political affiliations should have no place in school board elections. However, candidates do not leave their beliefs, values, or philosophies at the door when they seek public office. Every candidate has opinions about parental involvement, curriculum, spending priorities, government transparency, and the role schools should play in the lives of students and families. Voters deserve to know where candidates stand before they cast a ballot.
The differences between the major political parties on educational issues are real and significant. Questions surrounding parental rights, curriculum oversight, school governance, and the role of families in their children's education have become increasingly important across Indiana. Voters should not be forced to guess where candidates stand.
Party affiliation is also important for another reason: accountability.
When a non-partisan school board member resigns before the end of their term, the remaining members of the school board select the replacement. Depending on the board, that decision may rest with only three or four individuals.
When a school board member elected with a political party affiliation resigns before completing their term, the vacancy will be filled by a caucus of precinct committeemen residing within the school district. Those precinct committeemen are elected by voters every four years and are directly accountable to the public.
Regardless of which process one prefers, voters should understand the difference. The process for filling vacancies can have a lasting impact on the direction of a school corporation.
Transparency also matters when it comes to finances. School corporations receive a significant share of local property tax revenue. Taxpayers should understand the size of that investment and take an active interest in how those dollars are managed.
I encourage every voter to review their property tax statement before heading to the polls. Many residents may be surprised to discover that nearly half of their property tax bill supports local schools. In my case, 47.05 percent of my property taxes go directly to the local school district.
That investment is substantial and deserves careful oversight. Our community should expect schools to provide safe, effective, high-quality educational opportunities while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
When voters enter the voting booth this November, they should have as much information as possible about the individuals seeking to represent them. Whether a candidate identifies as Republican, Democrat, or independent, voters deserve transparency about who they are, what they believe, and how they intend to govern. Voters already rely on party affiliation in all other races to understand candidate perspectives, and school board elections should be no different.
An informed voter is a stronger voter. The opportunity for candidates to run with a party affiliation provides greater transparency, accountability, and information for voters. As the June 18 filing deadline approaches, I encourage qualified individuals to step forward, seek office, and be open with voters by disclosing their party affiliation.
