East Chicago school board elects Mercedes Taylor president, approves officers and appointments

Mercedes Taylor was elected president of the School City of East Chicago Board of Trustees at a special organizational meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, and the board completed its slate of officers and committee assignments before adjourning that evening.

Trustee Mercedes Taylor — nominated by Trustee Rodriguez and seconded during the meeting — received unanimous roll-call support from Trustees Smith, Rodriguez, Taylor and Gibson King and accepted the office, saying, "I humbly accept the nomination of board president for 2026." The gavel was passed to Taylor immediately afterward.

The meeting front-loaded formal organizational business. The board first approved the meeting agenda by roll call, then opened nominations for the officer positions. Trustee Rodriguez was elected vice president by roll call after a motion to nominate him; Diane Smith was nominated and elected secretary after accepting the nomination.

On agenda item 3.04, the board designated the school district treasurer as required by state law and nominated Ms. Simmons — described in discussion as the district's CFO or business officer — to serve in that role. The motion for that appointment carried by roll call: Trustees Smith, Rodriguez and Taylor voted yes and Trustee Gibson King recorded an abstention.

Separately, under agenda item 3.05 the board formally designated legal counsel. A motion nominated Attorney Harris to serve as the district's legal representative; the motion passed with the same pattern of support and an abstention from Trustee Gibson King. During discussion, board counsel explained that the designation is a formal record requirement distinct from any previously approved contract.

President Taylor also announced committee assignments to begin the year. She said she would serve on the policy committee to ensure continuity and named Trustee Diane Smith to the finance committee; board members stated these appointments did not require a formal vote.

Before adjourning, a motion to adjourn carried by unanimous roll-call vote. The meeting concluded with the board having completed officer elections, key institutional designations and initial committee appointments for 2026.

The board did not provide a timetable for subsequent meetings during this session.