Category: Parent & Family Engagement

A committee of IPS parents and youth have come together to support Yuri Smith for IPS board District 5.

Growing up in Riverside across the bridge from Haughville, Yuri Smith credits IPS and the community with shaping his success. 

For 20 years, Yuri served students as an educator, assistant principal, mentor, and community leader. He volunteered at Riverside School 44, his alma mater, worked at Goodwill’s Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, and led mentorship programming at the Center for Leadership Development. 

Yuri is running for school board to strengthen the village that shaped him — and to push IPS to do better. Too many students enter middle school unable to read, and those with fewer supports fall further behind. Who better to lead than a Riverside-raised veteran educator. 

A committee of IPS parents and youth have come together to support Chris Bultman for IPS board District 4.

Inspired by teachers who challenged him, Chris Bultman has spent his career helping students reach their full potential. Today, he works with students at one of the city’s highest-performing public schools, helping children and families exceed state and local academic benchmarks. 

As a school leader, Chris serves children facing housing insecurity, family instability, and other barriers — shaping his belief that students deserve strong support and high expectations. 

Chris is running for IPS Board to ensure every student has a great public school, outstanding teachers, strong support, and a real chance to succeed. 

A committee of IPS parents and youth have come together to support Derek Redelman for IPS board District 3.

In this time where divisive politics infects our government and social networks, the last thing we need is partisan leaders on the IPS board. That’s why Derek Redelman, as the only Independent, is your candidate for IPS Board – District 3.  

A lifelong Indianapolis resident and IPS graduate, Derek has spent his career taking on politicians in both parties to fight for better educational opportunities for children. He has dedicated his time in government affairs to advocating for policies that actually work to improve student outcomes. In fact, Derek’s work on school accountability – in partnership with leaders and numerous organizations — supported one of the largest jumps in student achievement our state has seen  in a generation. 

And his support for giving families greater access to choose public schools that work best for their child has helped underserved students gain enrollment to high performing programs.  

Derek is unafraid to take on parties and institutions to deliver policies that show results. IPS is losing enrollment and seeing less than 1 in 5 students test on grade level. Our schools need a leader dedicated to students – not beholden to any political party.   

A committee of IPS parents and youth have come together to support Hasaan Rashid for IPS Board District 2.

Father of three, business leader, and community advocate – Hasaan Rashid is used to bringing people together to solve challenges. Instead of waiting for others to act, Hasaan got to work improving his neighborhood and supporting the community. 

From his commitments with Mt. Paran Baptist Church and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to supporting sports camps for local Girl Scouts and launching a scholarship program for students, Hasaan has spent his life investing in his community. Moreover, he has also devoted himself to its young people. 

After learning about IPS’s troubling opportunity gap, he answered the call to run for the IPS Board. He wants to improve a system leaving too many students behind. 

A committee of IPS parents and students support Angelia Lois Moore for IPS Board

A proud George Washington High School graduate and mother of four IPS graduates, Angelia Moore has spent her life standing up for children. This includes serving as a court-appointed advocate for some of our city’s most vulnerable young people. 

Angelia leads with heart, but she is also a tough, proven advocate taking on adult systems that fail our kids. When IPS students were left out of a streamlined college-admission initiative, she successfully pushed to include every eligible student. 

Angelia believes every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and reach their full potential. She will be a strong, effective voice for every student, in every school, in every neighborhood. 

Now, Angelia is focused on making IPS more accountable to students and families. This is especially important in a system where fewer than 1 in 5 students are testing on grade level. 

Angelia will make student outcomes her top priority, expand transportation so more students can reach higher-performing schools, and demand that Indiana lawmakers stop short-changing IPS students with special needs. 

Ever had a song get stuck in your head—only to realize it’s actually saying something that matters? Dontia dropped a rap that inspires action, and it’s the kind of track that doesn’t just stay with you—it pushes you to do something about it.

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Dontia—an Indianapolis parent and longtime Stand for Children Indiana advocate—just dropped a powerful rap created to reach more parents, educators, and community members like you.

This isn’t just a video—it’s a call to action. 

Watch, listen, and then make your voice heard

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Every day, families across Indy are navigating big challenges in our schools. Your experience matters—and right now, you have the chance to help shape what comes next. 

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OUR MISSION:  
Stand for Children is a unique catalyst for educational success and social progress, to create a brighter future for us all.

We want to hear from you: Is education being overlooked? Tell us what you think!

Decisions that shape the future of our schools are being made every day right here in Indianapolis. These decisions impact our students, families, and communities in meaningful and lasting ways. But too often, the voices of the people most affected are missing from the conversation.

That’s a problem—and it’s one we can solve together.

Why Your Voice Matters

Education should be at the center of our community’s priorities. Strong schools are the foundation of thriving neighborhoods, a competitive workforce, and brighter futures for our children.

As we approach the November Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) board elections, this is a critical moment. The choices made now will help define the direction of our schools for years to come. That’s why we’re listening.

And it is why we’re gathering feedback directly from the community to better understand what matters most—and to make sure those priorities are reflected in the advocacy work ahead.

Take the Survey

Your perspective is essential—and it only takes a moment to share it.

Help Shape What Comes Next

This isn’t just about gathering opinions. It’s about building a stronger, more informed voice for education in Indianapolis. Above all, your feedback will directly guide our efforts to ensure that education remains a priority in the decisions that matter most.

Together, we can make sure our schools—and the students they serve—are not overlooked.

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OUR MISSION:  
Stand for Children is a unique catalyst for educational success and social progress, to create a brighter future for us all.

Today, passionate advocates were at the Statehouse to rally behind #HB1423. They believe this bill is a step toward closing the opportunity gap, keeping our schools accountable, ensuring safe schools and buildings, and providing reliable transportation for every student.

View their testimonies on YouTube: