The Indianapolis Public Education Corporation, or IPEC, named six finalists for its top job on July 16, 2026, WFYI and Chalkbeat reported. Each finalist wants to be the group's executive director. That person would run IPEC day to day.
The timing matters. IPEC is a new board, and the mayor picks its members. This year it took key money powers from the elected Indianapolis Public Schools board, WFYI reported. The new director would start during a hard stretch. In November, IPEC will ask voters to approve a property tax increase, WFYI reported. It would raise $95 million a year for four years. Even so, the board says the money will not close a budget gap at IPS, according to WFYI. Neither report says how big that gap is. So it is not clear how much would be left unfilled. WFYI reported that the money would be split among the district and 60 charter schools, based on how many students each one has.
The job pays between $235,000 and $325,000 a year, WFYI and Chalkbeat reported. The director reports to the IPEC board. WFYI reported that the director would also oversee big changes. These include one shared transportation system, possible school closures, and a new way to grade schools.
Acting director Michael O'Connor said the board received 36 applications. "So I think 36 applications was a pretty vibrant list of interested folks," he told WFYI.
A board working group chose the six finalists, WFYI reported. But Mayor Joe Hogsett will interview them and pick one. Under the 2026 law that created IPEC, the board must then approve his choice.
Chalkbeat named the six finalists. Karega Rausch leads the National Association of Charter School Authorizers and once ran charter policy in the mayor's office. Andrew Strope is the IPS deputy superintendent. Zach Mulholland is the IPS executive director of operations. Deandra Thompson sits on both the IPEC board and the IPS board, and she started a STEM pre-K program. Carolene Mays is a former state lawmaker who once led the White River State Park Development Commission. Patrick McAlister once directed the Indianapolis Mayor's Office of Education Innovation.
Several dates are set. The IPEC board meets next on July 22 at 4 p.m. in room 260 of the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Building, Chalkbeat reported. Chalkbeat also reported that the board must send state lawmakers an update on its new school grading system by August 1. A final version is due November 1. The tax vote comes in November, per WFYI and Chalkbeat.