New Senate Bill Would Require Indiana School Board Members to Choose Political Party

Source: PHOTO: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

STATEWIDE–Some Indiana Senate Republicans are pushing for a bill that would require school board members in Indiana to choose a political party, a departure from the historically nonpartisan nature of the position.

Senate Bill 287 is currently under consideration. If it becomes law, it would mandate that school board candidates register with a political party and go through a primary process.

Those who support it say this change would provide voters with a clearer understanding of the candidates’ ideologies. However, opponents, including current school board members, argue that partisan politics have no place in nonpartisan school boards and could detract from the focus on education.

One of the bill’s authors is State Senator Gary Byrne, a Republican from southern Indiana. He said he was on a school board for eight years and found it to be one of the more “partisan positions” he ever dealt with.

“To me, it’s already partisan, but it’s hidden. I think citizens should have the right to understand where they stand,” Byrne said in a meeting held by the Senate Committee on Elections Monday.

The Indiana Democratic Party released a statement about it.

“Partisan politics don’t belong in our nonpartisan school boards. With one of the lowest civic participation rates nationally, we should be moving to expand polling hours to 7 PM and provide more early voting locations in populated areas. Instead, the legislature is only aiming to make it harder for thousands of Hoosiers to cast their ballots going forward. It’s undemocratic,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmul.

The bill is expected to undergo further review before a potential vote later this month.