Public Invited to South Bend School Board Candidate Forum

South Bend – Local school board candidates will engage in a Conversation with the Candidates on Wednesday, September 28th from 7:00 – 8:00 P.M. at Indiana University South Bend. The forum is free and open to the public.

South Bend Community School Corporation is governed by a seven-member Board of School Trustees. Five are elected by residents of each of five school board districts; two are elected at-large. All serve four-year terms. Only district 1, 2 and 5 are on the ballot in 2022.

Candidates on the ballot include: Kate Lee and Wylette Veldman-Weaver (District 1), Mark Costello, Laquita Hughes, Oletha L Jones, and Gabrel Kempf (District 2), and Stuart Greene and Robert Smith (District 5). Ms. Veldman has endorsed her opponent and is no longer actively running for a seat on the board. All other candidates plan to attend.

This Conversation with the Candidates is sponsored by the American Democracy Project at Indiana University South Bend in partnership with the School of Education, Civil Rights Heritage Center, and League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area.

“This event is part of our collective effort to help educate the community about the candidates on their November ballots. We believe it is critical for voters to hear directly from the candidates, and we hope to attract a large audience of local voters who care about the future of South Bend’s schools,” said Elizabeth Bennion, a political science professor who directs IU South Bend’s American Democracy Project and serves as Director of Voter Services and Education for the local League.

Official media partner ABC57 will broadcast the forum live on MyMichiana TV (WMYS Channel 69/Xfinity Channel 15) and livestream the forum at abc57.com and facebook.com/abc57. Other media outlets are welcome to take still photos and interview the candidates immediately after the forum; audio and video footage of the forum may be obtained by contacting ABC57 News Director Kyle Fobe at kfobe@abc57.com (574-344-5557).

What: A Conversation with the Candidates
When: Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 7:00 – 8:00 P.M. (with a light reception to follow)
Where: 1001 Wiekamp Hall, Indiana University South Bend, 1700 Mishawaka Avenue
Why: To learn about the candidates running to serve on the South Bend Community School Corporation’s Board of School Trustees and to discuss issues facing local schools.
Who: Candidates running for the South Bend school board and voters who care about local public schools.
Parking: Park for free in the attached parking garage.