IPS Board member Kenneth Allen resigns, sworn in as Center Township constable

Kenneth Allen resigned from the Indianapolis Public Schools Board Friday evening, just days after losing his reelection bid and minutes after being sworn in as the new Center Township constable. 

The former constable recently pleaded guilty to official misconduct and was removed from the elected partisan position. A caucus was held Friday by Democratic precinct committee members to fill the vacant office that serves orders and summonses from the township small claims court.

"I take pleasure in bringing trust back to this office, respect back to this office and most importantly, keeping us out of the news for negative things," Allen said during a brief introduction at the caucus. "I think I have a great opportunity to provide some energy and excitement to this office."

Allen defeated five other candidates to be picked as constable during two rounds of voting at the Julia Carson Government Center. He was sworn in by Judge Brenda Roper of Center Township Small Claims Court.

Allen then confirmed to a WFYI reporter he would resign immediately as an IPS at large commissioner. Allen's term on the IPS Board was set to end Dec. 31 following this week's election loss to Deandra Thompson.

Under Indiana law, some government officials may not legally serve in more than one public service position simultaneously. But even if the elected positions do not create a constitutional dual office violation, it may create a conflict of interest or public policy concern, according to the Indiana Attorney General’s office.

Days before Allen lost his at large seat in the Nov. 5 general election, he was lobbying Center Township Democrats to pick him as the new constable. In a Nov. 1 email to precinct committee members, obtained by WFYI, Allen described some of his public service experience and public safety work as qualifications for the position. 

Allen declined to answer questions Friday when asked why he sought to fill the vacant office. “No comment at this time,” he told WFYI. 

Allen was the only IPS Board incumbent running for reelection on the November ballot. Allen’s loss was a sharp contrast to his successful 2020 campaign when he received massive financial and logistical support from local political action committees associated with education reform groups Stand For Children Indiana and Rise Indy.

Four years ago, Allen reported more than $260,000 in donations for what is believed to be one of the most expensive school board campaigns in state history. 

But during this election cycle, Allen was not endorsed by either group. Allen also said he would not accept money from the PACs and his candidacy was "not for sale."

"My priority is to serve the interests of the people, not special interest groups, and I want to ensure that my campaign reflects those values," he told WFYI and Chalkbeat Indiana for a candidate survey. 

Allen raised $5,512 this year for reelection, as reported in campaign finance records filed through mid-October. He earned around 21 percent of votes in the three-person race, according to unofficial results.

The last IPS commissioner to resign from the board was LaNier Echols in 2016. She moved out of state with two years left in her District 5 term.

IPS Board policy requires a vacancy to be filled by the remaining members of the board within 30 days.

Allen's time on the board

During Allen’s nearly four years on the IPS Board, he joined the other six members in making controversial decisions on funding and changes to how district schools operate.

In November 2021, Allen was one of five board members who agreed to share a portion of its property tax revenue from a referendum with 25 charter schools that partner with the district. But more than a year later, he joined the full board in shelving a planned $413.6 million operating property tax referendum after pushback from Indy Chamber, families and a coalition of charter schools, who wanted a larger portion of the funds to benefit non-IPS students. 

In November 2022, he was part of a unanimous vote to approve the district’s dramatic reshaping of the elementary and middle schools that began to take shape at the start of this school year. It also included closing or merging six schools as a way to consolidate academic and financial resources.

During an Oct. 8 school board candidate forum, Allen said it was too early to rate the success of the changes, including new grade configurations at elementary schools and new middle schools.

The constable's office

A constable is an elected position that serves orders and summonses from the township small claims court.

Denise Hatch, a Democrat, was elected in the uncontested 2022 race for the constable in Center Township. Hatch was removed from her office last month after she pled guilty to an official misconduct charge, a Level 6 felony, and other misdemeanor charges, including unlawful carry of a firearm.

The vacancy opened up the office to be filled by a caucus of the Center Township Democratic precinct committee members.

Allen was one of six township residents who sought to be appointed. The others were: Eugene Akers, a former Center Township trustee; John Cavanaugh, a township deputy constable; Byron Davenport, a 30-year precinct member; Bobby Kern, who has sought various political offices, including running for Indianapolis mayor in 2023; and William "Duke" Oliver, a 20-year former City-County Council member.

In the first vote, Allen and Oliver tied, each with 21 votes out of a possible 47 votes. For the second vote, only Allen and Oliver were candidates and some earlier committee members left and did not vote again. Allen won with 21 votes to Oliver’s 17 votes.

Allen will be up for reelection in November 2026.

Eric Weddle is WFYI's education team editor. Contact Eric at eweddle@wfyi.org or follow on X at @ericweddle.

WFYI education reporter Sydney Dauphinais covers Marion County schools. Contact her at sdauphinais@wfyi.org.