River Bend Neighborhood

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:

(more…)