Muncie schools adds first new board member since 2018 Ball State University partnership

Dr. Kathleen Washburn (Photo: Bobby Ellis / Courtesy of Ball State University)

Ball State University has appointed a new board member to the Muncie Community Schools board.  It’s the first new member appointed since a partnership to help run the public school district began in 2018.

Dr. Kathleen Washburn is an anticoagulation pharmacist in IU Health’s East Central Region.  Her two children attend Muncie Central High School.

Washburn was recommended by Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour as a mayoral appointment.  Her community service includes leading health outreach programs at a local church.

Washburn replaces Brittany Bales and her term runs for two years.

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Five school board members are appointed by Ball State directly.  One comes on recommendation of the Muncie mayor and one comes on the recommendation of the Muncie City Council.

All other members of the MCS board were first appointed in 2018 and have been renewed when their terms were up.  The partnership was not given an end date by state lawmakers.

Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host.  Contact her at slwiechmann@bsu.edu.