Fort Wayne School Board Candidates Held Forum
Six candidates for the Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of Trustees gathered at a public forum to discuss their platforms.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Should local school board members be required to have professional teaching experience?
Six of eight candidates for Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of Trustees seats participated in a public forum held at the Allen County Public Library Main Branch. The event was organized to help voters prepare for the upcoming election.
Why it matters
The board faces a significant challenge as the district must reduce its budget by $12.5 million following the passage of Senate Enrolled Act 1. Voters are evaluating candidates on their plans for addressing these financial constraints alongside other educational goals.
The forum featured six out of eight total candidates for District 1 and At-Large seats. The required district budget reduction stands at $12.5 million.
The players
Noah Smith
He has served on the Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of Trustees since 2021 and was appointed to an at-large seat in May 2026.
Julie Hollingsworth
She is currently running for her fifth term as the District 1 trustee for Fort Wayne Community Schools.
Lee Daly
He is a former teacher who retired from the profession in May 2026.
Brandon Foster
He served as the principal at Irwin STEM Magnet School until he was fired from the position in September 2026.
Indiana Coalition for Public Education Northeast
This organization sponsored the forum to provide voters with essential information regarding the candidates running for the local school board.
The details
Candidates adhered to a strict format, with response times limited to 30 seconds or one minute to answer questions and outline three primary goals for their potential terms. The session provided an opportunity for residents to hear directly from those seeking office, including current trustee Noah Smith and educator Lee Daly.
Timeline
Noah Smith began serving on the Board of Trustees in 2021.
Lee Daly retired from his teaching career in May 2026.
Noah Smith was appointed to the at-large seat in May 2026.
Brandon Foster was fired as principal in September 2026.
The candidates held the public forum on October 10, 2026.
Culture Shift
Local school board races are increasingly driven by state-level mandates like Senate Enrolled Act 1 that dictate district-wide financial constraints. This shifts the focus of candidates from local curriculum concerns toward managing deep budget reductions forced by state policy.
Residents of Fort Wayne are directly impacted by the $12.5 million budget reduction, which may influence future school services and programs. The forum allows voters to determine which candidates are best equipped to handle these looming financial changes.
The takeaway
Voters should review the stated goals of each candidate to understand their stance on the mandatory budget cuts. Engaging with these public forums provides clarity on how school board members plan to balance fiscal responsibilities with student needs.
Further reading
For more information on the governance of local schools, visit the Administration section.
Live Poll
Should local school board members be required to have professional teaching experience?
