The Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) Board of School Commissioners elected its leadership for 2020 at Monday night’s annual Board Organization Day meeting.
Michael O’Connor will continue as president for a third term. He was elected vice president in 2017 and then president in 2018 and 2019. Commissioner O’Connor was appointed to the District 1 seat in 2015 and elected in 2016. He is the senior director of corporate and government affairs at Eli Lilly and Company and a former Indianapolis deputy mayor under Mayor Bart Peterson.
“It is my full intention to not run for re-election to this Board in 2020,” said O’Connor. “I have enjoyed greatly the work we have done together and I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve as your president. Given the fact that I will not be on the ballot for 2020, I ask for your consideration for Board president for this year.”
Evan Hawkins was elected vice president and replaced Commissioner Venita Moore in this role. Commissioner Hawkins is completing his first year of service on the Board. He was elected in November 2018 and serves District 3. Hawkins is an active IPS parent and currently serves as a facilities director at Marian University.
Susan Collins was elected secretary and replaced Commissioner Elizabeth Gore. Commissioner Collins is also finishing her first year on the Board. She won the November 2018 election for one of the district’s two at-large seats. Collins is a retired IPS teacher who now coordinates tutoring for Dockside Services, and is a contractor for the Indiana Department of Child Services and other agencies. Five of her nine children graduated from Indianapolis Public Schools.
Commissioners Moore (District 2), Gore (At-Large), Diane Arnold (District 4) and Taria Slack (District 5) round out the Board to continue the work of the district under this leadership.