IPS Board Retains Majority Control Amid New Management Agency

Five of the seven members of the Indianapolis Public Schools board won reelection or appointment on Tuesday. Incumbents Angelia Moore, Hasaan Rashid, Chris Bultman, and Nicole Carey kept their seats. Daqavise Winston became the only new face on the board by winning a seat in District 3.

The board enters a changed administrative structure. A new mayor-appointed agency called the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation will take over control of buildings, transportation, and property tax levies. The remaining board members will focus on approving a district budget that includes an estimated $46.4 million in new revenue. Voters approved this property tax measure in the same Tuesday election.

Angelia Moore won the at-large seat for the entire district with approximately 42% of the vote. She is the only board member elected to represent all of IPS. Moore raised nearly $53,000 in donations. Most of that money came from Stand for Children Indiana, a group that advocates for charter schools.

Hasaan Rashid held his District 2 seat covering the Near Eastside and Martindale-Brightwood with about 52% of the vote. He defeated Bryan Duarte in the race. Rashid reported raising about $55,000 during the pre-election period. His campaign received support from RISE Indy and Stand for Children Indiana.

Daqavise Winston unseated board President Hope Duke Star and two other challengers in District 3. Winston, a teacher in Warren Township, received 34% of the vote. The district includes Meridian-Kessler and Broad Ripple. Winston said the result showed the community was ready for a commissioner who would collaborate with residents.

Chris Bultman secured his District 4 seat in the southwest with roughly 67% of the vote. He defeated challenger Lindsey Cornett. Bultman works for Concept Schools, a charter operator. He raised over $40,000, while Cornett raised about $17,550. Nicole Carey won the District 5 seat in the west with about 54% of the vote. She defeated Yuri Smith Sr. and Pearl Taylor. Carey reported raising more than $17,000, including $3,000 from the teachers union.

The new members will begin four-year terms in January. The board must navigate the transition of power to the new corporation while managing the district's finances. The district has already cut $24 million to address a deficit. The new tax revenue is expected to help close that gap.