South Bend Candidates Debate School Board Future

Three candidates discussed district budget and leadership challenges during a recent public forum in South Bend.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Administration

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a stack of school chairs and a bell, representing district leadership and education budget discussions. — Candidates Cheryl Moody, Kevin Hawkins, and Emily McClements discussed strategies for managing a $40 million deficit during a South Bend school board forum. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Cheryl Moody, Kevin Hawkins, and Emily McClements faced questions regarding the future of the South Bend school board. The candidates addressed significant challenges, including a looming budget shortfall and the search for a new superintendent.

Why it matters

The new board member will help navigate a potential $40 million budget deficit and select a successor for retiring Superintendent Mansour Eid. Decisions made by the board will influence the district's long-term financial stability and academic operations.

The district faces a projected $40 million budget shortfall in 2029 due to the expiration of a 2020 referendum and state policy impacts. Three candidates are vying for the open District 1 seat.

The players

Cheryl Moody

She is a candidate for the District 1 seat who has lived in South Bend for 26 years.

Kevin Hawkins

He is one of the three candidates running for the vacant school board seat.

Emily McClements

She is a candidate who has resided in the community for 22 years and has children who attended district schools for 15 years.

Mansour Eid

He is the current school superintendent whose retirement is set for the end of the 2026-27 academic year.

The details

Candidates shared their stances on district initiatives, including the use of artificial intelligence tools by staff and students and previous security upgrades like clear backpacks. The board remains responsible for oversight of a district that has operated under a federal consent decree since the 1980s.

The candidates participated in a public forum on October 22, 2026.
Superintendent Mansour Eid is scheduled to retire at the end of the 2026-27 school year.
A potential referendum vote is expected to take place in 2028.
The district faces a potential $40 million budget shortfall in 2029.

Culture Shift

This race highlights the growing pressure on local school boards to address the intersection of state-level funding constraints and modern technological integration. The district's navigation of Senate Enrolled Act 1 serves as a benchmark for how local administrations adapt to tightening budgets.

Residents may see significant changes to school services, including potential school closures or the elimination of transportation if upcoming referendums fail. Families should prepare for shifts in district policy as the board prepares to appoint new leadership.

The takeaway

Voters will decide who manages the district through a period of critical financial transition and leadership turnover. Engaging with the board's plans for the 2029 budget shortfall is essential for parents concerned about future school services.