Four of the seven USD 253 school board candidates were on KVOE’s final Candidate Forum of this general election cycle Tuesday.
KVOE welcomed Linda Forbes, Christy Grant, Art Gutierrez and Sam Tovar, all candidates for USD 253 Emporia school board. Among the questions for the panel was the role of religion in a public school setting. Gutierrez welcomes a “healthy” separation between church and state.
Tovar said faith motivates people and becomes part of who people are.
Forbes said her faith is important, but religion should not be a school subject.
Grant said she makes doesn’t hide her faith in God, and she says people should be able to express their faith.
Candidates were also asked about the school board’s role in sports, notably with accountability and culture, and also participation in extracurricular activities. Tovar focused on the benefits of participation.
Forbes says extracurricular participation is good for students.
Grant said it’s important not to micromanage district staff.
Gutierrez said the board relies on Athletics Director Beau Welch.
The forum sets up a busy time for voters between now and the general election Nov. 7:
*Lyon County’s offsite voter event is from 9 am to 1 pm Saturday at the Lyon County Fairgrounds Anderson Building.
*Mail ballots have to be requested by Halloween and mailed and postmarked by Nov. 7.
*In-person advance voting ends at noon Nov. 6.
Stay with KVOE and KVOE.com for complete election coverage.
