Eight governing board candidates for the Tempe Union High School and Kyrene School districts answered parents’ questions Sept. 21 during a public meeting held at the Tempe police substation.
The forum was hosted by the Parent Network and the Kyrene Chapter of Stand for Children.
A group of about 30 parents met with five candidates for the Tempe Union High School District and three candidates for the Kyrene School District to discuss issues and probable strategies candidates would focus on if elected as a board member.
Candidates were each given one minute to respond to each question submitted on note cards by residents.
Topics dealt with the use of technology in the classroom, how to implement more logical teacher evaluation models, the role of online courses in elementary and high school education, open enrollment and its effect on recruiting students, providing resources to students who lack parent involvement and strategies for assessing students transitioning from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school.
Candidates agreed on most issues facing Arizona’s education, however some had different strategies for dealing with parent concerns.
Governing board candidates for the Tempe Union High School District attending the session were Dave Wells, David Schapira, Duane Washkowiak, Sandy Lowe and Mary Lou Taylor. Candidates for the Kyrene School District were Beth Brizel, Bernadette Coggins and Benjamin Benedict.
Two candidates from each district will be elected to serve on the board.
