Three Candidates Will Seek District 1 School Board Seat
The South Bend School Board election will feature new leadership in District 1 this November.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Administration
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Three candidates are set to compete for the District 1 seat on the South Bend School Board in the upcoming election. This contest comes as the current incumbent, Kate Lee, is not seeking re-election to the seven-member board.
Why it matters
The board oversees the South Bend Community School Corporation, which currently serves nearly 13,000 students. Trustees elected to these four-year terms shape local educational policy and fiscal oversight for the district.
The school board consists of seven members who serve four-year terms, with five seats elected by district and two elected at-large. The corporation is responsible for the education of nearly 13,000 students.
The players
Kate Lee
She is the incumbent board member for District 1 who is not running for re-election.
Mark Costello
He is the current District 2 incumbent who is running unopposed for another term.
Stuart Greene
He is the incumbent trustee for District 5 who is not seeking another term on the board.
John Paczesny
He is the only candidate running for the District 5 school board seat.
South Bend Community School Corporation
This is the local public school system that serves nearly 13,000 students and is governed by the Board of School Trustees.
The details
Voters in Districts 1, 2, and 5 will see trustee candidates on their ballots this cycle. While the District 1 race features three challengers, District 2 incumbent Mark Costello is running unopposed, and John Paczesny is the sole candidate for the District 5 seat as Stuart Greene steps down.
Timeline
In-person absentee voting begins across Indiana on October 6, 2026.
Roadmap
The election follows the structure established by the Indiana school board trustee election statutes regarding term lengths and district representation. These rules maintain the division between district-based and at-large trustee roles to ensure geographic representation.
Residents in Districts 1, 2, and 5 will cast ballots to determine who oversees local school funding and academic policy for the next four years. Voters should prepare to participate in early voting or plan for their Election Day polling location.
The takeaway
School board elections have a direct impact on the daily management of student resources and district budgets. Voters are encouraged to research the specific platforms of candidates in their district before heading to the polls.
Further reading
For more information on local government processes, visit Administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSBT.
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