School Board Candidates’ Forum Schedule
Eight candidates are vying for three open Des Moines School Board seats in the upcoming September 9 election. A change in state law about how school board members are elected has resulted in the shortening of two of the board members’ current terms, and sparking a firestorm of debate and criticism about current board members and district administration.
Incumbents Dick Murphy (current Board chairman), Jeanette Woods and Ginny Strong are being challenged by Kittie Weston-Knauer (retired Scavo alternative high school principal), Larry Barrett, child care provider Kristine Crisman, Steve Flood, and small business owner Mike Pike (whose child attends private parochial school, not a Des Moines public school).
Local civic groups are hosting these upcoming Candidate Forums:
Northeast Neighbors: 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at the North Side Senior Center, 100 E. Euclid Ave. Call 453-7339 for details.
Save & Support Our Schools: 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave. Call 277-7173 for details.
The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, League of Women Voters and citywide PTA: 7 p.m. Sept. 3 in the auditorium at Central Campus, 1800 Grand Ave. Call 279-8715 for details.
A Metropolitan Organizing Strategy: 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at First Christian Church, 2500 University Ave. Call 255-5670 for details.
In a community where only six percent of registered voters participated in the last school board election, this round has turned contentious. One of the newer members of the school board, Jonathan Narcisse, has openly expressed support for candidates Pike, Crisman and Flood, as has conservative advocacy group Iowa Family Policy Center Action. Others have spoken out for the incumbent candidates and in favor of Knauer’s candidacy. Perhaps the discord will actually spark voter participation in the September 9 election.
Categorized as: Des Moines Schools
