INDIANA PUBLIC SERVICE - A new Indiana law, starting today, allows school board candidates to list their political affiliation on the ballot.
Candidates may choose to register with a political party, as
independents or not disclose any affiliation. Those who do not select
will have a blank space next to their name and straight-ticket voting
will not apply to school board races. Those opposed to the new law said
it injects unnecessary politics into a role traditionally focused on
education.
Leslie Jacobs, a school board member for the Fayette County School Corporation in Connersville, is against the new law.
"In my 10 years, I couldn't tell you the political leanings of anybody
on my board. Never comes up," Jacobs explained. "Our discussions are
purely about educational opportunities, picking a superintendent,
looking at budget."
She warned requiring party labels might discourage qualified candidates
from running. Supporters of the new law said it increases transparency.
Jennifer Blackburn, a school board member for the East Allen County Schools near Fort Wayne, also opposes the new law.
"The scenario that there are four candidates potentially running and
three are Democrat, one is a Republican -- this last school board
election -- none of us were opposed," Blackburn pointed out. "As big as
our county is, there are not a lot of people running."
The law will first affect school board elections in November.
Joe Ulery wrote this article.
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