Senate Bill

SB 287

School board matters.

In plain English

Requires school board candidates to state on their nomination petition a party affiliation, independent status, or a choice not to disclose, and shows party affiliation on the ballot unless challenged. Specifies that a straight party vote does not count for school board candidates and changes how board vacancies are filled based on the departing member's stated affiliation. Changes the yearly pay limit for board members from $2,000 to 10% of the lowest starting teacher salary.

Written by AI from the official digest below, and checked only by automated rules. If they differ, the official digest and bill text control.

Official digest

Requires a petition of nomination for a school board office to state one of the following: (1) The candidate's political party affiliation. (2) That the candidate is an independent candidate. (3) That the candidate elects not to disclose any affiliation with a political party or that the candidate is not affiliated with a political party and does not identify as an independent candidate. Specifies that unless a candidate who states a political party affiliation is challenged, the candidate's statement must be indicated on the ballot. Provides that the name of a candidate for school board office who does not run in affiliation with a political party or as an independent candidate must be printed with a blank space after the candidate's name signifying that the candidate elects not to disclose any affiliation with a political party or that the candidate is not affiliated with a political party and does not identify as an independent candidate. Specifies that a straight party vote does not count for any candidate for a school board office. Requires a school board vacancy to be filled by: (1) a caucus if the vacating member stated an affiliation with a major political party; and (2) the remaining members of the governing body if the vacating member did not state an affiliation with a major political party. Modifies the annual amount that the governing body of a school corporation may pay a member of the governing body from $2,000 (under current law) to an amount not to exceed 10% of the lowest starting salary of a teacher employed by the school corporation.

Latest action: Signed by the Governor, May 6, 2025Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Gary Byrne, Chris Garten, Blake Doriot, J.D. Prescott

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Mike Gaskill, Tim Wesco, Michelle Davis, Bob Heaton

Roll-call votes

7 recorded votes, oldest first. Third-reading votes decide whether a bill passes a chamber; amendment votes and procedural motions are listed too.

Senate · Feb 13, 2025

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 287 - Byrne - 2nd Reading

Failed

11 yes34 no5 did not vote

Republicans: 2 yes, 33 no, 4 did not voteDemocrats: 9 yes, 0 no, 1 did not voteNot matched to a current member: 0 yes, 1 no

How each member voted

Senate · Feb 17, 2025

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 287 - Byrne - 3rd Reading

Passed

26 yes20 no4 did not vote

Republicans: 25 yes, 12 no, 2 did not voteDemocrats: 0 yes, 8 no, 2 did not voteNot matched to a current member: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

House · Mar 13, 2025

House Rule 126.4 Recommit

Roll call text: House Rule 126.4 Recommit

Failed

26 yes58 no16 did not vote

Republicans: 1 yes, 58 no, 11 did not voteDemocrats: 24 yes, 0 no, 4 did not voteIndependents: 0 yes, 0 no, 1 did not voteNot matched to a current member: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (26)

No (58)

Did not vote (16)

House · Mar 20, 2025

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 287 - Prescott - 2nd Reading

Failed

29 yes62 no9 did not vote

Republicans: 3 yes, 61 no, 6 did not voteDemocrats: 25 yes, 0 no, 3 did not voteIndependents: 0 yes, 1 noNot matched to a current member: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (29)

No (62)

Did not vote (9)

House · Mar 20, 2025

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 287 - Prescott - 2nd Reading

Failed

27 yes63 no10 did not vote

Republicans: 1 yes, 62 no, 7 did not voteDemocrats: 25 yes, 0 no, 3 did not voteIndependents: 0 yes, 1 noNot matched to a current member: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (27)

No (63)

Did not vote (10)

House · Mar 31, 2025

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 287 - Prescott - 3rd Reading

Passed

54 yes40 no6 did not vote

Republicans: 54 yes, 13 no, 3 did not voteDemocrats: 0 yes, 25 no, 3 did not voteIndependents: 0 yes, 1 noNot matched to a current member: 0 yes, 1 no

How each member voted

Yes (54)

No (40)

Did not vote (6)

Senate · Apr 24, 2025

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 287 - Byrne

Passed

26 yes24 no

Republicans: 25 yes, 14 noDemocrats: 0 yes, 10 noNot matched to a current member: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Source: Open States, compiled from the Indiana General Assembly's official roll calls. The official record at iga.in.gov controls. Spot an error? Let us know.