ARTICLE
The Indiana School Boards Association is saddened to announce the death of former executive director Frank A. Bush. Frank passed away on January 12, 2024. He was 81. Dr. Bush served as executive director from 1988-2014, longer than anyone in ISBA’s 75-year history. He came to ISBA after serving in multiple roles at the local level, including as high school economics and government teacher, secondary school counselor, secondary administrator, and superintendent of schools. A Celebration of Life will be held at Flanner Buchanan in Zionsville on Saturday, January 27, at 3:00 p.m., with a Memorial Gathering preceding from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The Celebration of Life will be live-streamed. Visit the Flanner Buchanan website for his obituary, details on the memorial events, and a virtual guest book to share favorite memories and offer words of sympathy. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charitable organization that supports issues Frank cared about. Tributes Dr. Frank Bush is remembered as a passionate champion for public education whose decades of service significantly shaped the educational landscape in Indiana. “I greatly admired and appreciated Dr. Bush from the first time I met him in 1995,” said ISBA Executive Director Terry Spradlin. “He was a tremendously dedicated leader of ISBA, a tireless advocate for public education and students, and a role model I chose to emulate. Frank left an indelible mark and legacy regarding model school board governance in Indiana. Our public school system is better today as result of his significant work.” “It was an honor and privilege to work with Frank Bush for 23 years,” said ISBA Senior Counsel/Director of Policy Services Julie Slavens. “He was dedicated to public education and school governance, yet he always kept in mind who we were serving, the children of Indiana. He was a beloved and trusted colleague and a friend. He will be missed, but his legacy will continue with the work he did as an educator and Executive Director of ISBA.” “Dr. Bush was one of the most respected voices for public education in Indiana’s history,” said former ISBA President Tom Simpson of the Yorktown Community Schools. “His advocacy and passion for students was a hallmark of his storied career. I am grateful for his dedicated service and extend my condolences to his family and many friends.” “Frank Bush was a respected educator and leader in public education,” said ISBA General Counsel Lisa Tanselle. “I had the opportunity to witness his commitment to improving public education in our state for the benefit of students and his advocacy on the importance of school boards. He was a true public servant who led the Association with integrity and passion. I am honored to have worked with him and learned from him.” “Dr. Frank Bush provided dedicated leadership to the Indiana School Boards Association for one-third of its existence and was an influential and respected voice for public education in the state legislature,” said ISBA Past President Dr. Robert Stwalley of the Lafayette School Corporation. “He was a tireless advocate for school board members, school administrators, educators, and school children. Public education in Indiana could not have had a stronger proponent, and his voice will be missed." ### Adam VanOsdol ISBA Communications Specialist/Content Strategist avanosdol@isba-ind.org
The Indiana School Boards Association is saddened to announce the death of former executive director Frank A. Bush. Frank passed away on January 12, 2024. He was 81.
Dr. Bush served as executive director from 1988-2014, longer than anyone in ISBA’s 75-year history.
He came to ISBA after serving in multiple roles at the local level, including as high school economics and government teacher, secondary school counselor, secondary administrator, and superintendent of schools.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Flanner Buchanan in Zionsville on Saturday, January 27, at 3:00 p.m., with a Memorial Gathering preceding from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The Celebration of Life will be live-streamed.
Visit the Flanner Buchanan website for his obituary, details on the memorial events, and a virtual guest book to share favorite memories and offer words of sympathy.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charitable organization that supports issues Frank cared about.
Tributes
Dr. Frank Bush is remembered as a passionate champion for public education whose decades of service significantly shaped the educational landscape in Indiana.
“I greatly admired and appreciated Dr. Bush from the first time I met him in 1995,” said ISBA Executive Director Terry Spradlin. “He was a tremendously dedicated leader of ISBA, a tireless advocate for public education and students, and a role model I chose to emulate. Frank left an indelible mark and legacy regarding model school board governance in Indiana. Our public school system is better today as result of his significant work.”
“It was an honor and privilege to work with Frank Bush for 23 years,” said ISBA Senior Counsel/Director of Policy Services Julie Slavens. “He was dedicated to public education and school governance, yet he always kept in mind who we were serving, the children of Indiana. He was a beloved and trusted colleague and a friend. He will be missed, but his legacy will continue with the work he did as an educator and Executive Director of ISBA.”
“Dr. Bush was one of the most respected voices for public education in Indiana’s history,” said former ISBA President Tom Simpson of the Yorktown Community Schools. “His advocacy and passion for students was a hallmark of his storied career. I am grateful for his dedicated service and extend my condolences to his family and many friends.”
“Frank Bush was a respected educator and leader in public education,” said ISBA General Counsel Lisa Tanselle. “I had the opportunity to witness his commitment to improving public education in our state for the benefit of students and his advocacy on the importance of school boards. He was a true public servant who led the Association with integrity and passion. I am honored to have worked with him and learned from him.”
“Dr. Frank Bush provided dedicated leadership to the Indiana School Boards Association for one-third of its existence and was an influential and respected voice for public education in the state legislature,” said ISBA Past President Dr. Robert Stwalley of the Lafayette School Corporation. “He was a tireless advocate for school board members, school administrators, educators, and school children. Public education in Indiana could not have had a stronger proponent, and his voice will be missed."
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Adam VanOsdol
ISBA Communications Specialist/Content Strategist
avanosdol@isba-ind.org