IPS Board Retains Control Despite New Mayoral Agency

Angelia Moore, Hasaan Rashid, Chris Bultman, Nicole Carey, and Daqavise Winston won election to the Indianapolis Public Schools board on Tuesday, retaining the current majority.

The five victors include four incumbents and one new member. They will lead the board through a period of structural change as a new mayor-appointed agency, the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation, assumes control of buildings, transportation, and property tax levies.

The board faces immediate financial tasks. Voters approved a property tax measure on Tuesday night that will generate an estimated $46.4 million in additional revenue for the district. Officials say this money can help close a growing deficit that the district has already attempted to fill by cutting $24 million in spending.

Moore won the open at-large seat representing the entire district with approximately 42% of the vote. First elected in 2022, she reported raising nearly $53,000 during the campaign. Most of that funding came as in-kind support from Stand for Children Indiana.

Rashid retained his District 2 seat, covering parts of the Near Eastside and Martindale-Brightwood, with about 52% of the vote. Appointed to the board in March after Gayle Cosby resigned, Rashid defeated Bryan Duarte. Rashid reported raising about $55,000, a sum more than four times his opponent's total. He received support from RISE Indy and Stand for Children Indiana.

Winston, a Warren Township teacher, captured the District 3 seat on the north side of the district. He defeated Board President Hope Duke Star, Derek Redelman, and Loren Eugene Heger with 34% of the vote. His supporters included the state teachers union PAC and RISE Indy. Winston described the night as surreal, stating that the results showed District 3 was ready for a commissioner who could collaborate with the community for student results.

Bultman secured his District 4 seat on the southwest side with about 67% of the vote, defeating Lindsey Cornett. Appointed in June after Allissa Impink left to run for state Senate, Bultman reported over $40,000 in donations. Cornett raised roughly $17,550. Bultman works as a regional director of external affairs for Concept Schools, which operates three Indiana Math and Science Academy locations in Indianapolis.

Carey won reelection for District 5 in the west part of the district with about 54% of the vote, defeating Yuri Smith Sr. and Pearl Taylor. A parent and business owner first elected in 2022, Carey reported raising over $17,000, including $3,000 from the teacher's union. She expressed gratitude for the trust of local families and noted the hard work ahead as IPEC begins managing district resources. The new members will start their four-year terms in January.