Pryor calls for keeping school board races nonpartisan

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) today offered an amendment to House Bill 1428 that would have removed language requiring school board elections to be partisan.  The amendment also required school board candidates to file their candidacy 5.5 months ahead of the election as opposed to the current requirements of 3.5 months before. House Bill 1428, under its current language would require those running for school board positions to publicly state their political affiliation on the ballot. 

“If Indiana Republicans are dead-set on making school board races partisan,” Pryor said, “then they are playing politics with our kids' education. Voters deserve more time to review the candidates and where they stand on issues. School board members are not concerned about their colleagues' party affiliation, they just want to do what is in the best interest of our children. Focusing on politics should never take precedence over our kids.”

The amendment failed 28-64.