School Board Member

The basics

Term

4 years, staggered; term begins Jan. 1 unless the organization plan sets another date. ^{[10, 11]}

Term limit

None. ^[9]

Who may stand

One year residence in the corporation (and district for district seats); at least 18; employees of the corporation may not serve. From 2026 candidates choose a party label, "independent" or no affiliation on the ballot; no primary. ^{[12, 13, 14, 15]}

Training the law requires

No statutory training requirement found; training is voluntary (mainly Indiana School Boards Association). ^[9]

On the 2026 ballot

632 races in Indiana

What the law puts in this job

• Hires, evaluates and can dismiss the superintendent (after a public meeting with comment before any superintendent contract); approves staff the superintendent recommends. ^{[1, 2, 3]}
• Adopts the budget and tax levies, the capital projects and bus replacement plans, and decides whether to put an operating, safety or construction referendum on a general-election ballot. ^{[1, 4, 5]}
• Bargains with the teachers' exclusive representative on salary, wages and wage-related benefits only; adopts curricular materials and required policies (internet/parent controls by Jan. 1, 2027, wireless-device policy). ^{[6, 7, 8]}
• Does not set academic standards, choose state tests or assign A-F grades; those belong to the State Board of Education and the Department of Education. ^[9]

What the officeholder decides

• Budgets under SEA 1 (LSA estimates school property-tax revenue about $217M below prior law in 2027 and $336M in 2028); charter-school levy sharing begins with the 2028 budget. ^[9]
• Referendum decisions: no school referendum can be held in 2027; questions for Nov. 2028 must be certified by noon Aug. 1, 2028. ^[9]
• Teacher contracts (bargaining from Sept. 15, 2027 for 2028-29), superintendent searches and evaluations, and responses to the new A-F accountability grades. ^[9]

Who the officeholder answers to

• Voters; DLGF certifies levies; the State Board of Accounts audits; the Department of Education regulates; Open Door Law (livestreaming and public comment before final action). ^{[17, 18, 19]}

What it pays, and who sets that

• By board resolution, up to 10% of the corporation's lowest starting teacher salary per year, plus a capped per diem. ^[16]
• Set by each board.

Questions worth asking a candidate

Ours, not a questionnaire anyone answered. They come from what the job actually involves.

• How would you evaluate the superintendent, and what results would you expect?
• Would you support a referendum? Under what conditions?
• How will the board handle the revenue changes from SEA 1 and charter levy sharing?
• How will you keep parents informed and take public comment?

Sources

Office research by Legal Insights (Oct. 13, 2026): Indiana Code 2026 edition, state agencies and county budgets. Nothing here rates an officeholder or candidate.