The candidates currently in the race for four open seats are Terah Chambers, Kath Edsall, Noel Garcia, Chris Martin, Kate Powers and Thasin Sardar. All candidates are running non-partisan campaigns. 

Former candidate Todd Swales withdrew from the race despite it officially being too late to do so, as ballots have already been printed. The race may be less crowded but was no less competitive as the remaining candidates presented their arguments to the public.

Powers — the incumbent board president — and Chambers are running for re-election. Edsall previously served on the board for two years as treasurer. The current board has been noted for some dysfunction, though there was a sense of camaraderie among the candidates at the forum as they often complimented each other. 

The candidates answered pre-screened questions from the audience, giving their thoughts on enrollment data, the opportunity gap for students of color, a balanced calendar system, school of choice and the elementary school bond, among others.

Every candidate supported a balanced calendar, which would shorten summer breaks and schedule more frequent days off throughout the school year, though some had reservation about its feasibility.

“Can we implement this carefully, thoughtfully?” Chambers said. “Can we consider all the potential impacts that there might be on communities that we are not thinking about? It’s not so much about the balanced calendar, which I support, it’s about can we do it successfully here.”

Garcia highlighted his experience in law enforcement as he proposed new security methods for schools during active-shooter situations and other violent scenarios. Despite recent fortifications on school buildings, he was concerned that staff members are not trained in up-to-date lockdown procedures.

“I think right now our students are vulnerable,” Garcia said. “Anything can happen anywhere and we really need to get on board with no longer doing the traditional lockdown, hiding in a corner and praying that we're not going to get found.”

Diversity and representation were a major topic at the forum, and Edsall, who is white, asked voters to keep that issue in mind at the ballot.

“I would be a hypocrite, with my passion for diversity and inclusion, to not say that I think as you look at this very diverse panel, you strongly consider making our school board as diverse as our community is,” Edsall said. “I would love to earn one of your votes, but consider the other candidates sitting at this panel if diversity is a passion for you.”

In his closing statement, Sardar said keeping the interests of students in mind was a necessary focus for the school board.

“We need to aim higher and we need to challenge ourselves more. We need to be there for our kids and not in the way of our kids,” Sardar said.