Deandra “Dee” Thompson will begin her term on the Indianapolis Public Schools board earlier than originally planned.
The school board voted unanimously Thursday evening to appoint Thompson to the vacant position on the board, after former Commissioner Kenneth Allen resigned earlier this month after being sworn in as Center Township’s new constable.
Thompson was set to take the seat in January, along with three other newly elected board members, but when Allen announced his resignation, the seat remained open.
More on Allen’s move: IPS board member resigns to replace disgraced Center Township officer
Deandra “Dee” Thompson
Board policy states that remaining members must fill vacancies within 30 days.
Thompson had just won the race for the at-large seat that Allen has held since 2021, with Thompson receiving 56% of the vote, over Carrie Harris with 22% and Allen with 21%, according to unofficial results.
Thompson is currently the founder and CEO of A Learning Bee Academy, a STEM-focused preschool.
Learn more about IPS results: Pro-charter candidates win in two IPS races, with Cosby winning the District 2 race
Newly elected board members Allissa Impink, Gayle Cosby and Ashley Thomas will be sworn in as members of the board in January.
Thompson was part of the group of IPS candidates who were endorsed and received financial support from pro-charter groups such as Stand for Children Indiana and RISE Indy.
Thompson also raised the most money of the seven candidates running, collecting about $96,993, according to pre-election filings. About $87,600 of that came from the Stand for Children Indiana PAC and RISE Indy PAC.
Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.
This article originally appeared on the Indianapolis Star: The IPS school board has a new member after recent resignations
