School Board Elections

School Board elections have the power to shape our schools and the experiences of every CCS family. And yet, in 2022, 20% of the people who voted in Carmel simply did not cast a ballot in the school board race, presumably because they did not feel informed enough to do so. Greyhound Council, which aims “to give a districtwide voice to the community, both within the walls of CCS and the greater city of Carmel," wants to make sure every Carmel voter is fully informed and confident enough to weigh in on this tremendously important race.

This is the same hope behind the District’s School Board Elections 101 presentation—to educate and inform Carmel voters.

The information below is taken directly from each candidate’s website, and full links to their webpages and socials are provided. We hope the community will look at each candidate and give them all full consideration.

Every Carmel voter will be able to vote for any two of the following candidates on or before November 5, 2024:

Robin Clark

Robin Clark and her family moved to Carmel seven years ago for the excellent opportunities offered by Carmel Clay Schools and has since become deeply invested, with three children attending the district schools. She is a Purdue graduate with an MBA from Indiana University. She volunteers extensively, including as a room parent and swim club committee chair, and she regularly attends board meetings. As a prospective school board member, she aims to represent community interests and emphasize the importance of teachers, seeking support for her candidacy with a focus on Academic Excellence, Fiscal Responsibility, and Safety.

Dina Ferchmin

Dina Ferchmin, who moved to Carmel in 2014 for its vibrant community, outstanding schools, and proximity to her family's church, has a unique background shaped by her family's experiences fleeing the harsh regimes of Nazi and communist Eastern Europe and enduring economic instability in Argentina. Inspired by her parents' belief in the American Dream and the importance of education, she served as a captain in the 82nd Airborne Division and later worked as a Six Sigma Black Belt at General Electric. Her three sons are CHS graduates, and Dina was actively involved in their extracurricular activities while they attended. She and her husband enjoy spending leisure time at their cabin in Monroe County. As a prospective school board member she intends to focus on Academics, Advocacy for Teachers, and Transparency. 

Jon Shapiro

Jon Shapiro and his wife Katy moved to Carmel twelve years ago because they believed it to be the best place to raise a family. Their son is now a student at CHS. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service Management, Jon has spent his career in youth-focused nonprofits and education, including managing national scholarship programs and overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets as well as staff and teams. Deeply involved in the Carmel Clay Schools community, he attends school board meetings, has completed the Expedition program, and in 2023 co-chaired the "Yes for CCS" Referendum Renewal Campaign. He is running for school board to represent our children and our community, advance the Carmel Clay Schools' continued pursuit of academic achievement and innovation, and to foster cooperative relationships between parents, educators, and administration. 

  • Website

  • Facebook

  • Endorsed by Support CCS PAC

  • Support CCS on Facebook

  • Endorsed by:

    • The Carmel Teachers’ Association

    • Former Carmel Mayor (1996-2024) Jim Brainard

    • Former CCS Superintendent Jeff Swensson

    • Former CHS Principals Dr. Tom Harmas and John Williams

    • Former School Board Members Angela Corley, Tricia Hackett, Mike Kerschner, Pam Knowles, Sue Richardson, and Layla Spanenberg

    • Current Board Member Katie Browning

Kristina Wheeler

A sixth-generation Hoosier, Kristina ("Kris") Wheeler has lived in Carmel for eighteen years, with her two daughters thriving in CCS. Her older daughter graduated in 2022 and her younger daughter is now at CHS. With a rich family history in education, including her mother’s teaching career and her great-grandfather’s legacy in a one-room schoolhouse, Kris is committed to supporting teachers and ensuring the continued excellence of Carmel's educational environment. Her priorities include the responsible use of taxpayer funds, school safety, and enhancing parental involvement. Kris aims to use her experience as an attorney, business owner, teacher, parent, church member, PTO and community volunteer to represent the best interests of the entire City of Carmel. 

  • ​Website

  • Facebook

  • ​Endorsed by Support CCS PAC

  • Support CCS on Facebook

  • Endorsed by:

    • The Carmel Teachers’ Association

    • Former Carmel Mayor (1996-2024) Jim Brainard

    • Former CCS Superintendent Jeff Swensson

    • Former CHS Principals Dr. Tom Harmas and John Williams

    • Former School Board Members Angela Corley, Tricia Hackett, Mike Kerschner, Pam Knowles, Sue Richardson, and Layla Spanenberg

    • Current Board Member Katie Browning

Candidate Interviews and Joint Appearances

Please keep checking back as new resources will be added as we become aware of them. This list only includes interviews, events, and profiles in which every candidate appears and has been given equal opportunity to express themselves. In the event of a multi-part series, we will wait to post all interviews until they are all published and available.