IN SB0248

Beginning July 1, 2026, the South Bend Community school corporation governing body shifts from elected to appointed members, with seven members appointed by the Indiana Secretary of Education from nominees submitted by a new nominating commission

Current elected board members serving on June 30, 2026, become an advisory board with no governing powers, serving until their original terms expire, at which point the advisory board is abolished

A nine-member nominating commission is established with appointees from local government and business organizations including the Mayor of South Bend, St. Joseph County board of commissioners, South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Ivy Tech Community College

The commission must nominate at least 10 candidates for the Secretary of Education to consider, with nominees required to reside within St. Joseph County and submit resumes for review

Appointed governing body members serve four-year terms at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be reappointed to successive terms