ISTA member and former lawmaker Ralph Ayres has died
03/30/2016

 

It is with deep sadness that ISTA shares the news that former state representative and ISTA member Ralph Ayres has passed.

 

Ayres was a career educator who taught social studies at Chesterton High School for 34 years. He was an advocate for kids, teachers and public school employees across the state during his tenure in the Indiana General Assembly from 1980 to 2006.

 

Even after his retirement from public service, he continued as the executive director of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association. At his passing, he was serving as president of the Duneland School Corporation school board in Chesterton.

 

ISTA President Teresa Meredith said of Ayres, “Ralph served during a time when Republicans and Democrats, while at times holding differing philosophies, routinely worked together to forge the best possible legislation benefitting public schools and kids. Those efforts remain a huge part of his legacy. Even after his retirement, Ralph remained a great friend to ISTA and public education and he will be missed.”