Candidate Q&A: Michael Elorreaga

Michael Elorreaga is running for Richmond School Board, At-Large as a non-partisan incumbent in the 2026 general election.

Bio highlights: High School diploma from RHS 1999 (4 year varsity Football, Track, & Band), 4-year degree (Business Management) from Earlham College in 2003, and Masters Degree in Management from IU East in 2018. I work at Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance in Richmond, Indiana. Wife Jenny works for Richmond Community Schools and my 2 children, Isabella (14) and Ryan (11) Elorreaga attend Hibberd STEAM program and will attend Richmond High School

Reasons you ran: I decided to run for this office because I am deeply committed to ensuring the long-term success of our local community. First, I want to champion greater transparency and collaboration between our decision-makers and residents. Second, I want to focus on optimizing our resources to better support our teachers/staff/Students and infrastructure. Having lived and worked in this area, I see an immense opportunity to build on our strengths, address our challenges head-on, and ensure that every constituent/teacher/parent has a voice in shaping the future of the Richmond Community Schools.

Top priorities: My top three priorities if re-elected is to focus on sustainability, excellence, and community trust. First, fiscal responsibility is paramount. I will prioritize rigorous budget oversight to maximize every dollar, ensuring our core services and programs remain fully funded despite external financial pressures. Second, I will focus on educational excellence / infrastructure development. This means providing our Teachers/students/departments with the updated tools, competitive retention packages, and modern resources necessary to thrive in a changing landscape. Third, I am dedicated to improving community engagement. I will implement structured feedback systems so that constituents are actively consulted on major policy changes, creating a culture of shared responsibility and open communication. 

Specific skills: First, I bring strong financial analytical skills from my background in the insurance industry as well as being on many Boards. This expertise allows me to dissect complex line-item budgets, identify hidden inefficiencies, and reallocate funds to maximize direct community impact. Second, I am an experienced collaborative communicator. Throughout my career, I have excelled at bringing diverse groups together, listening to opposing viewpoints, and finding consensus on contentious issues. This balanced approach ensures that our board’s decisions will be practical, thoroughly vetted, and reflective of the broader community’s best interests. 

Should continue: One aspect that is working incredibly well is the dedication and resilience of our frontline teachers/staff/workers. Despite challenging state funding limits and evolving mandates, they consistently deliver high-quality education/public services to our Richmond Community School District. Their resourcefulness and unwavering commitment to the day-to-day well-being of our students form the backbone of this institution. As a leader, I believe it is critical to preserve, celebrate, and actively protect this culture of dedication by ensuring they feel valued, heard, and supported with the best possible working conditions we can provide. 

Needs to change: We need to improve proactive communication regarding long-term planning and major policy shifts. Currently, constituents often feel left in the dark until final votes are imminent. To change this, I will pursue the immediate creation of a monthly digital newsletter / public advisory committee. This initiative will clearly outline upcoming agenda items, explain the data behind key proposals, and explicitly invite feedback well before votes take place. Shifting from reactive announcements to proactive dialogue will rebuild trust and ensure community alignment. 

Accept election results: Yes. I fully respect the democratic process and will absolutely accept the certified results of this election. The will of the voters is paramount, and my commitment to serving this community will remain unchanged regardless of the final outcome. 

Funding strategies: To counter tightening state and federal funding, I will pursue a three-pronged fiscal strategy. First, I will advocate for a comprehensive, line-by-line audit of current operational expenditures to eliminate redundancies and optimize utility costs without cutting vital programs. Second, I will actively build public-private partnerships with local businesses, non-profits, and foundations to secure alternative funding and sponsorships for special projects. Third, we must aggressively pursue competitive state, federal, and private grant opportunities tailored to rural development/education/infrastructure. By diversifying our revenue streams and tightening internal controls, we can insulate our budget from external cuts and maintain financial stability without disproportionately burdening local taxpayers. 

Engaging the public: Public meetings can be intimidating or scheduling-prohibitive for busy families. To bridge this gap, I plan to initiate regular, informal “listening sessions” hosted at rotating local venues like libraries and parks. Additionally, I will push for the implementation of short, accessible online surveys regarding major community decisions. This allows working parents and busy residents to share their perspectives on their own schedules. By taking the conversation directly to the people, we ensure a much broader, more representative cross-section of our community is actively involved in our governance. 

Other comments: Serving this community is a profound privilege, and I do not take the responsibility lightly. My candidacy is rooted in the belief that effective leadership requires a listening ear, a transparent mindset, and a willingness to make tough, data-driven decisions. I am running to be an independent, accessible voice for all residents, ensuring our tax dollars are spent wisely and our future remains bright. I ask for your vote so we can work together to build a stronger, more resilient Richmond Community Schools District. I graduated from Richmond High School, Graduated from Earlham College with a 4 year degree, and received my Masters degree from IU East…I believe in this community because I invested in this community…Thank you for your time, your consideration, and your partnership.