A good candidate forum
Friday afternoon I had the opportunity to attend a candidate forum for the individuals running for the USD 408 Board of Education.
Sponsored and conducted by the Marion High School government classes, the forum offered insightful information on the candidates' views on a variety of topics including staff cuts, consolidation, drug testing, and even parking problems at the high school.
The questions were prepared and asked by the students, and the four candidates in attendance each had a set amount of time to answer. Even the one candidate who could not attend due to work had the opportunity to respond. Her answers were available on a handout, which was passed around to students.
I was very pleased with our Marion students. Not only with those who conducted the forum, which was as professional as any I've ever attended, but also with the student body as a whole. They were very respectful, and listened to the discussion.
I only wish that more members of the general public would have been able to attend. Of course, this was a school-sponsored event so it only makes sense to hold it during the school day. After all, a few students attending MHS are eligible to vote in this election. However, it would have been nice if a forum could have taken place during the evening hours when more registered voters could attend.
For me, it was great because I had been unable to track down a couple of the candidates for "meet the candidate stories," and I was able to corner them. And most of the questions the kids were asking were the same ones I wanted answered. So, it made my life a little simpler. Thanks to the government students, teacher Rex Ostmeyer, and principal Ken Arnhold for making the forum possible.
— KATHY HAGEMAN
