The three women on the ballot all came up at-large election winners for Hamilton Southeastern School Board in the 2024 general election. Latrica Schooley won over Greg Lannan in Delaware Township with just over 54% of the vote. Suzanne Thomas won re-election against former board member Terry Tolle in Fall Creek Township with just under 61% of the ballots cast. Sarah Parks-Reese earned a second term on the board, defeating John Stewart in Wayne Township with just over 58% of the vote.
All voters within the Hamilton Southeastern School District voted in each race, but each candidate ran in their home townships.
In this case, the 3 best-funded candidates were losers, based on pre-election finance reports.
“To all our supporters, you guys are the best of the best,” wrote Latrica Schooley in a social media post.
“Wow Hamilton Southeastern Community, I am once again humbled by your support and faith in me,” wrote Sarah Parks-Reese in a Facebook post. “I am honored and grateful to serve another 4 years!”
“While the outcome of the election was not what we had hoped, I want to extend my sincere congratulations to Sarah Parks-Reese on her reelection to the Hamilton Southeastern School Board,” wrote John Stewart in a Facebook post. “I know she works tirelessly and is committed to representing the families of Wayne Township.”
The Hamilton Southeastern Education Association endorsed the 3 winning candidates. “HSEA congratulates Sarah Parks-Reese, Suzanne Thomas, and Latrica Schooley on their election to the school board!,” said the local teachers’ union in a social media post. “As we look to the future, we are excited to work with these women and the current members of the school board to do what is best for students and teachers!”
Fishers One, a conservative group locally, won 2 years ago, placing 4 candidates it backed on the board. In this round, all 3 Fishers One endorsed candidates lost.
The three winning candidates will begin their 4-year terms in January of 2025.