Resident tells Indianola school board he suspects discrimination in NHS selections, urges investigation

Tristan Grover, a resident of 107 West Orchard Avenue, used public comment time to press the Indianola Community School District board for answers about the high school’s National Honor Society (NHS) selections.

Grover said the NHS advisor unexpectedly resigned after the Nov. 17 induction and that two of three girls he referenced were later excluded from a post-prom committee to which they had been asked to serve. He said a public-records request showed only three students were denied admission to NHS this year and alleged that fully qualified female students with strong political views have previously been denied admission.

"Why is it that on the evening of November 17 following the 2025 induction ceremony into NHS, did the NHS advisor unexpectedly resign her position?" Grover asked during his remarks, repeatedly urging the board to explain why the district has not investigated the selections. He also said, according to his view of events, that students who are failing at least one class were admitted and that students responsible for causing others to quit extracurriculars were allowed in.

Grover named Principal Sebersma and Superintendent Paul as individuals he no longer trusts and said he has lost faith in and respect for the school board’s handling of the matter. He urged the board to contact the National Association of Secondary School Principals or other appropriate national bodies to clarify the board’s authority over individual NHS selection decisions.

Board members did not announce any formal action or investigation in response during the meeting. The public comment period concluded without a visible commitment to open a formal inquiry on the record.

The board proceeded to other agenda items, including routine consent items, budget reports and curriculum approvals. The district did not provide a recorded response to Grover’s specific allegations during the meeting.