Western Wayne School Board

What a school board does

A school board is the elected or appointed governing body of a public school corporation, the legal unit that runs a local school district ^{[1, 2]}. The board hires and evaluates the superintendent, adopts policies, and approves the annual budget, while the superintendent and staff run schools day to day ^[3]. Most boards have five or seven members serving staggered four-year terms ^[3]. Starting in 2026, candidates may list a political party, run as independents, or list no affiliation on the ballot, and there is no primary for these seats ^{[2, 4]}.

Term

4 years, with elections staggered so part of the board is chosen every two years ^[3]

Elected

At the November general election (November 3, 2026, or November 2028 for some seats); depending on the local organization plan, members represent the whole school corporation (at large) or a district within it, and some boards are wholly or partly appointed ^[2]

Ballot label

Each candidate chooses a party label, 'Independent', or no affiliation, shown next to the name; no primary and no straight-ticket voting for these races ^{[2, 4]}

Pay

Set by board resolution: an annual amount of no more than 10% of the lowest starting teacher salary in the school corporation, plus a capped per diem ^[5]

On the 2026 ballot

632 races in 276 school corporations; 1,035 candidates, 197 races contested ^[6]

The job in full — what the Indiana Code puts in it, what it pays, and what to ask a candidate.

About the Western Wayne corporation

• Western Wayne Schools serves western Wayne County. The board meets in Cambridge City. Its schools are Lincoln Middle/High School and Western Wayne Elementary School ^{[24, 25]}.
• Enrollment: the Western Wayne News reported in May 2026 that 699 students were enrolled that school year, down 42.6% from 1,218 in 2007. It reported that 252 district residents attend other schools and 106 students from other districts attend Western Wayne ^[26].
• Superintendent: the board hired Melissa McIntire as superintendent 5-0 on Aug. 17, 2026 ^[27]. She is the district's third superintendent in about a year and a half. Andy Stover left in 2025 for a job with Fayette County School Corp. ^[28]. Kelly Plank was hired in July 2025 ^[29]. On May 22, 2026 the board named Alice Johnson interim superintendent by a 4-1 vote, with Brent Fortman voting no ^[30].
• The board has five members: districts A, B and C plus at-large seats ^{[28, 31]}. The district's website lists Kris Bex (District B, president), Jenni Risch (at large, vice president), Brent Fortman (District C, secretary), Ryan Riggs (listed as at large) and Amber Rushton (no seat listed) ^[32]. Riggs was appointed in May 2025 to replace David Sturgis; the Western Wayne News reported he was the only District A resident who applied ^[33].
• Seats on the 2026 ballot: one at-large seat and District C (Washington) ^{[34, 6]}. Both were last elected in 2022. That year Phillip Pflum won reelection to the at-large seat over Amber Rushton, 789 votes to 619, and William Brent Fortman was unopposed in District C ^[35].
• Pflum resigned in June 2025 ^[36]. The board chose Rushton for his at-large seat, and she took the oath on July 9, 2025 ^[37]. In 2026 Rushton filed for District C rather than the at-large seat. The Western Wayne News lists her as the District C incumbent with no challenger ^[34]. Fortman, listed by the district as the District C member, is not on the ballot ^{[32, 6]}. The at-large race is between two Republicans, Jeffrey (Jeff) Allen Munchel and Robert Miller, neither of whom is a board member ^{[34, 6]}.
• Referendum: a 2020 operating referendum, an eight-year levy of 19 cents per $100 of net assessed value, raises about $500,000 a year ^[38]. On May 13, 2026 the board voted 5-0 to authorize auditor certification for a potential referendum levy ^[39]. Board President Kris Bex said a referendum was needed for the district to continue ^[40]. On June 17, 2026 no member moved to adopt the referendum resolution ^[41]. Interim Superintendent Johnson said members saw 'too many unknowns about future leadership.' She said the district had sought the referendum to replace money lost after Senate Enrolled Act 1, and that the proposed levy would have been about half the 2020 amount ^[38]. No referendum for November 2026 was found.
• Budget: Superintendent Plank said in May 2026 that property tax reform had reduced operating funds. She said the district transfers nearly the maximum allowed from the education fund to operations, which limits instructional hiring and has forced cuts to curriculum funds ^[26]. In August 2026 the board voted to advertise its budget, capital and bus replacement plans ^[27]. The Sept. 9, 2026 agenda listed a budget hearing and a resolution to approve a reduction in appropriations ^[42].
• Facilities: the renovated Lincoln Middle/High School opened for tours in February 2026 ^{[26, 25]}. Elementary construction continued in summer 2026 ^[41]. In June 2026 a resident asked the board to share with the community where and how the bond money was allocated ^[41].
• Flood: after an Aug. 12, 2026 flood, the board amended the 2026-27 calendar. On Aug. 31 it voted 5-0 to open a full-time Western Wayne Virtual Academy and an Eagle Flex Hybrid Academy ^[43]. Superintendent McIntire said the district would let the Town of Cambridge City use its Pershing building while the town's building is rebuilt ^[27].
• Policies: in March 2026 an updated non-resident transfer policy failed 4-0 ^[44]. In June 2026 the board adopted spring policy updates covering weapons, wireless communication devices, attendance, budget adoption and public records ^[41]. The 2026-27 handbooks require students to keep phones in lockers from bell to bell under the new state law ^[38]. An SRO agreement with Cambridge City was approved for 2026-27 ^[27].
• Forums and questionnaires: the Western Wayne News published Q&As with both at-large candidates on Oct. 6, 2026 ^{[45, 46]}. Both named transparency as the main thing that needs to change: Miller called for more public discussion and for board members to explain their votes, and Munchel for clear information on the reasons behind board decisions. Miller emphasized core academics and career and technical pathways, and Munchel student advocacy, including for special education students ^{[45, 46]}. No candidate forum was found.

District C

Unopposed

At Large, District D

2 candidates

Key points

• Enrollment: the Western Wayne News reported in May 2026 that 699 students were enrolled that school year, down 42.6% from 1,218 in 2007. It reported that 252 district residents attend other schools and 106 students from other districts attend Western Wayne. (Western Wayne News)
• Referendum: a 2020 operating referendum, an eight-year levy of 19 cents per $100 of net assessed value, raises about $500,000 a year. On May 13, 2026 the board voted 5-0 to authorize auditor certification for a potential referendum levy. (Western Wayne News)
• Budget: Superintendent Plank said in May 2026 that property tax reform had reduced operating funds. (Western Wayne News)

Sources