Members
Appointed by Mayor Joe Hogsett on March 31, 2026 and sworn in on April 14, 2026. The Indianapolis Public Education Corporation was created as part of House Enrolled Act 1423, passed during the 2026 legislative session. This legislation was based on the recommendations of the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance, led by Mayor Hogsett, which met throughout 2025.
As laid out by HEA 1423, Mayor Hogsett’s appointments to the IPEC board were required to include: three members of the IPS Board of School Commissioners, three charter school leaders, and three community members with expertise in management, capital planning, facilities, transportation, or logistics, or experience in working with vulnerable student populations and communities.
David Harris
Board Chair/Charter School Leader
dharris@indianapolispubliceducationcorporation.com
Hope Duke Star
Member of the IPS Board of School Commissioners
hdstar@indianapolispubliceducationcorporation.com
Ashley Thomas
Member of the IPS Board of School Commissioners
athomas@indianapolispubliceducationcorporation.com
Deandra Thompson
Member of the IPS Board of School Commissioners
dthompson@indianapolispubliceducationcorporation.com
Dexter Taylor
Charter School Leader
dtaylor@indianapolispubliceducationcorporation.com
Janet McNeal
Charter School Leader
jmcneal@indianapolispubliceducationcorporation.com
Edward Rangel
Community Leader
erangel@indianapolispubliceducationcorporation.com
Patricia Castañeda
Community Leader
pcastaneda@indianapolispubliceducationcorporation.com
John Hammond
Community Leader
jhammond@indianapolispubliceducationcorporation.com
Michael O'Connor
Acting Executive Director
moconnor@indianapolispubliceducationcorporation.com