Voter guide 2026: Here’s who is running for Washington Township school board

Two candidates are running for two at-large school board seats in the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township, Indiana. The district, located in Marion County, serves around 11,325 students, with 46% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Around 40% of the students are Black and 22% are Hispanic.

Leslie Bowles and Jocelyn Sisson are the two newcomers seeking the seats. Neither candidate has declared a political affiliation. Bowles, 47, holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Marian University and a master's degree from Indiana University in public affairs. She is the managing director of development partnerships for the League of Conservation Voters.

Bowles' top three priorities, if elected, are shrinking the achievement gap in the district, ensuring the district is well-funded for equitable access to rigorous academics and resources, and ensuring all families in the district feel seen, supported, and represented.

The most pressing issue facing the district, according to Bowles, is the achievement gap. She plans to address it by naming the gap as a priority, requiring disaggregated data by race and income at board meetings, ensuring the data is shared more widely with parents, and holding district leadership accountable for measurable progress. Bowles also emphasizes the importance of equitable access to advanced placement courses, reading literacy, and math proficiency for students.

Bowles supports the district's operating referendum renewal, as she believes it will protect the existing resources for the diverse student body. She co-founded the Washington Township Parents in Support of Public Education PAC, dedicated to protecting high-quality, diverse public schools.