This IPS board member is joining months ahead of schedule. Here's why.

Deandra “Dee” Thompson will start her term serving on the Indianapolis Public Schools board sooner than originally planned.

The school board voted unanimously Thursday night to appoint Thompson to the vacant at-large position on the board after former commissioner Kenneth Allen resigned from his seat earlier this month after being sworn in as the new Center Township constable.

Thompson was set to take up the seat in January, along with three other newly elected board members, but when Allen announced his resignation it left the seat open.

More on Allen’s move: IPS board member resigns, replaces disgraced Center Township constable

Deandra "Dee" Thompson — Deandra “Dee” Thompson

Board policy states that the remaining members must fill vacancies within 30 days.

Thompson had just won the race for the at-large seat that Allen has occupied since 2021, with Thompson receiving 56% of votes 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, which is a STEM-focused preschool.

Learn more about IPS results: Pro-charter candidates win in two IPS races while Cosby wins District 2 race

Newly elected board members Allissa Impink, Gayle Cosby and Ashley Thomas are set to be sworn into the board in January.

Thompson was part of the group of IPS candidates who were endorsed and received financial support from pro-charter groups like Stand for Children Indiana and RISE Indy.

Thompson also raised the most money out of the seven candidates running, collecting around $96,993, according to pre-election filings. About $87,600 of that was 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 Indianapolis Star: IPS school board has a new member after recent resignation

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