Pfaff comments on bill to make school board races partisan

Today, Monday, March 31, the House passed Senate Bill 287 by a vote of 54 to 40. The bill makes Indiana’s school board elections partisan, requiring candidates to run as Democrat, Republican, Independent or with a blank space next to their name. The bill now heads back to the Senate to approve the changes made in the House. 

Under the federal Hatch Act, employees of the U.S. government or organizations that receive federal funding are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity. Turning school board races into partisan elections would effectively bar thousands of qualified, community-minded Hoosiers from serving in these vital roles.

“During a recent visit to Crane Naval Base—one of Indiana’s largest high-tech employers—I was reminded just how many Hoosiers would be impacted by this change,” State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) said. “With over 3,800 employees, many of whom are deeply invested in their local schools, this bill would strip away their ability to serve on school boards simply because of where they work.”

“Our school boards should be focused on student success—not party politics,” Pfaff added. “Injecting partisanship into these races opens the door to national political agendas creeping into our classrooms. Instead of picking political fights, let’s tackle the real challenges: improving literacy, strengthening math skills, addressing the teacher shortage, and getting more students into college or prepared for the workforce. These aren’t partisan goals—they’re Hoosier priorities.”