The money tells the story. Ahead of the November election for the Indianapolis Public Schools board, candidates raised more than $257,000. Political action committees supplied over $150,000 of that total. This financial push is happening even as a new state law strips the incoming board of much of its traditional power. The board will soon lose direct control over school buildings, buses and tax rates to a new agency called the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation, or IPEC.
Yet the spending surge reveals a crucial truth. Outside groups believe this election still matters deeply. They are investing to shape a board that aligns with their vision for the city’s schools, focusing now on academic oversight and the superintendent’s role. The figures come from pre-election campaign finance reports covering April through early October.
Three major groups dominate the contributions. The Stand for Children Indiana PAC, associated with a nonprofit that advocates for replicating high-quality charter schools, gave the most. Their total exceeded $117,000. The Indiana Political Action Committee for Education, known as I-PACE and linked to the state teachers union, contributed $15,500. A third group, the education reform-aligned nonprofit RISE Indy, gave $24,200. In contrast, individual donations from regular citizens made up only about 22 percent of the total funds raised.
- Stand for Children Indiana PAC – $117,000+
- I-PACE – $15,500
- RISE Indy – $24,200
- Individual donations – 22 percent of total funds
- Major focus on academic oversight
- Stakeholders aim to influence student outcomes
Each group frames the stakes in similar terms, despite different goals. They all cite the urgent need to improve student outcomes. Justin Ohlemiller, executive director of Stand for Children Indiana, pointed to the new law requiring referendum tax funds to be shared with charter schools. He called the election critically important for all public schools in the district. For the teachers union, the race is a direct response to the loss of district power. Monica Shellhamer, vice president of the Indianapolis Education Association, said the union is hopeful to shift the board to a new majority supportive of traditional public schools.
| District | Candidate | Fundraising | Main Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| At-large | Angelia Moore | $52,973 | Stand for Children |
| At-large | Sacha Sharp | $22,000 | Individual donors |
| District 2 | Hasaan Rashid | $44,540 | RISE Indy |
| District 2 | Bryan Duarte | $10,820 | N/A |
| District 3 | Derek Redelman | $42,436 | Stand for Children |
| District 3 | Hope Duke Star | $0 | N/A |
The funding underscores a new political reality for IPS. While the board’s formal authority is shrinking, powerful organizations see its composition as a key lever for influence. They are betting significant resources that their chosen candidates can steer academics and community priorities, even from a diminished position. The final campaign finance report, covering all activity through the end of 2026, is due in January 2027. For now, the flow of cash makes clear that the fight for Indianapolis schools is far from over.
