A frequent volunteer in westside schools is joining the Wayne Township school board.
Mikeal Gordon took his oath of office during a board meeting Monday, Dec. 15.
Gordon’s term is set to end Dec. 31, 2026. He was selected to serve out the rest of the term of longtime member Mike Nance, who died in early November.
“Mr. Nance served 31 years on this board. He served this community faithfully and with a lot of hours,” Gordon told meeting attendees upon taking his oath. “I am honored to be able to fill a role that he had.”
Gordon was one of five candidates interviewed for the position in early December.
He’s a purchasing manager with the sheet metal fabrication company, Newjac Industrial, based in Lebanon, Indiana. His wife, MiChelle, is the secretary of McClelland Elementary School.
They have seven children, including a daughter who graduated from the district’s THRIVE Program for students with cognitive and developmental needs.
Gordon told Mirror Indy after the meeting that he hopes to bring his experience as a parent to the board.
“None of this matters if our kids aren’t achieving success in the end,” Gordon said.
Gordon is also an active volunteer in Wayne Township schools. And he keeps busy in the winter months working as a Santa for public and private events.
Gordon ran once, unsuccessfully, for school board in 2020. He said he opted not to run again in 2022 or 2024 out of respect for current members of the board.
“I didn’t want to replace them,” he told Mirror Indy. “I hated having to get the seat the way it came, but I’m honored to try to carry on (Nance’s) tradition of all his years of service.”
Gordon joins the board amid another big leadership transition.
Superintendent Jeff Butts, who has led the westside district for 15 years, is serving his last weeks with Wayne Township before leaving for a new position with the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents.
“This organization is like none other,” Butts said of Wayne Township, during the Dec. 15 meeting, his last as superintendent. “What matters are the people that I’ve had a chance to work with, the people that I’ve had a chance to become friends with and just the knowledge that you’re going to continue to make sure that our children are cared for.”
Assistant Superintendent Shenia Suggs will begin her first day as the district’s new superintendent Jan. 5, 2026.
A correction was made on Dec. 17, 2025: This story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of MiChelle Gordon’s name and the number of children in MiChelle and Mikeal’s family.
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Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
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