ELECTION Q&A – RCS At Large Bruce Laudermilk

Bruce Laudermilk is running for Richmond School Board, At-Large as a non-partisan candidate in the 2026 general election.

Bio highlights:  1996 Tri-County North Graduate, Lewisburg, Ohio. 2002 Bachelor’s in Education (Elementary Education/Middle School Science) from Indiana University East in Richmond, Indiana; Master’s in Education from Indiana University East; and a certification in School Supervision and Leadership from Ball State – Muncie, Indiana.  

Employment – Richmond Community Schools – 2004-2022; 2004-2018 – Science teacher at Test Intermediate School; 2018-2022 – Assistant Principal at Dennis Middle School; 2022-present – Administration at Eaton Middle School

Reasons you ran: I have lifelong connections, friends, and family members who either work for or attend RCS. I want to use those connections and my experience to support our students and staff while helping create positive, meaningful changes that benefit the entire RCS community. RCS has changed significantly in recent years. I believe some of the programs and practices that once made RCS strong have been lost. I would like to identify and restore those strengths while also supporting thoughtful progress for the future. My experience and knowledge of the district would bring a valuable perspective to the board/community.  

Top priorities: My three priorities are increasing transparency, streamlining resources, and stabilizing the district. I believe stakeholders deserve clear and consistent communication about the decisions being made within RCS and how those decisions affect students and employees. Transparency builds trust and creates opportunities for meaningful collaboration. I also want to focus on making sure the district’s resources are being used thoughtfully and efficiently. This includes evaluating programs, staffing, and funding to ensure that available resources are supporting the growth and success of both students and staff. Finally, I believe stability is important for the long-term success of the district. By establishing consistent expectations, making responsible financial decisions, and maintaining a clear direction, RCS can better plan for the future. My goal is to bring my experience and perspective to help support a district that is transparent, responsible, and focused on the needs of its students, staff, and community.

Specific skills: Two specific skills that I bring to the office are integrity and experience. I believe school board members must be honest, transparent, and willing to make decisions based on what is best for our stakeholders. My 20 years in education, including experience as both a teacher and administrator, have given me a firsthand understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our schools. I also bring established relationships with educators, families, and community members throughout RCS. I believe this experience, combined with a commitment to listening and doing what is right, would allow me to be a thoughtful and effective member of the school board. 

Should continue: One thing that I believe RCS does better than anyone is course offerings and student pathways to graduation. Our students can experience a multi-faceted, well-rounded education if they take advantage of what’s out there. We have a STEAM program, one of the only self-contained high-ability programs in the state, a robust applied skills program from K-12, and a comprehensive set of courses for students at RHS. Our ability to serve our students, while currently more limited due to cuts in state funding, is unparalleled.

Needs to change: One aspect that needs to change is transparency between the school board, administration, and community. I believe trust has been weakened over time, and rebuilding that trust should be a priority. I would pursue regular community forums, clearer communication about major district decisions and spending, timely sharing of board information, and opportunities for staff and families to provide feedback before significant decisions are made. I would also encourage the board and administration to clearly explain the reasoning behind difficult decisions, not simply announce the outcome. By creating more consistent opportunities for communication and listening, we can rebuild trust and strengthen the relationship between RCS and the community. 

Accept election results:  I will accept the results and respect that the community has chosen elected officials who are thoughtful and working toward what is best for students.

Funding strategies: With Indiana school districts facing significant changes in state and federal funding, financial stability must begin with careful planning and accountability. If elected, I would prioritize protecting classroom resources and staff while identifying efficiencies elsewhere. I would support a comprehensive review of district spending, programs, contracts, and administrative costs to determine what is essential and what can be reduced or consolidated. I would also pursue all available state and federal grants and ensure existing funds are being used as effectively as possible. Finally, I would advocate for multi-year financial planning and greater public transparency around the budget, so the board and community understand both our current position and the long-term impact of financial decisions. Last year’s reduction of a significant number of teaching positions demonstrates why we need to plan proactively rather than continually react to funding changes.  

Engaging the public: Beyond encouraging attendance at public meetings, I would create more opportunities for residents, families, and staff to share their perspectives before decisions are made. I would support regular community forums, surveys, and listening sessions focused on specific district issues and provide accessible ways for people to submit questions and feedback. I would also encourage the board to communicate clearly about how community input was considered when making decisions. My goal would be to make engagement a consistent part of the decision-making process, rather than something that occurs only after a decision has already been made. 

Other comments: RCS is a part of me. Even though I’ve left the district professionally, I never truly left the RCS family. As a member of the Dennis faculty who experienced the tragedy of December 13, 2018, alongside my Dennis family, my connection to this district runs deep. My family is here, my wife leads an incredible group of RCS educators, my children attend RCS schools, and I’ve invested nearly two decades in this community. I care deeply about the future of RCS and want to see our district regain the strength, pride, and sense of community it once had. We have talented educators, dedicated staff, incredible students, and a community that cares. I believe we have what we need to move forward; we just need leadership that brings those strengths together.