Hope Duke Star

Chris Bultman was appointed to the Indianapolis Public Schools Board of Commissioners to represent District 4, winning a 5-1 vote. He replaces Allissa Impink, who resigned after winning a state Senate primary, and will serve until January when a new representative is sworn in. Bultman, who works for a charter school organization, faces concerns about potential conflicts of interest, while his opponent in the November election, Lindsey Cornett, was initially denied ballot access due to filing deadline confusion.

Indianapolis voters will consider a 37-cent-per-$100-assessed-value tax increase this fall to fund city schools, generating $90 million annually. The revenue will split $43.9 million to Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and $43.9 million to participating charter schools, aiming to prevent staff cuts and a state takeover, though the district still faces $20 million in future budget reductions.

Fourteen candidates are competing for five seats on the Indianapolis Public Schools board, with notable contenders including a charter school advocate and an Indiana Democratic Party leader. The election follows structural changes, including the creation of the mayor-appointed Indianapolis Public Education Corporation, which holds key powers over school funding and governance.