Residents of the Cuyahoga Falls and Stow-Munroe Falls school districts are invited to attend a moderated candidate forum Oct. 21 at the Akron main library.
The event, from 6 to 7:45 p.m., will allow residents to hear from and ask school board candidates questions, said Stacie Novelli, a member of Akron Democracy Defenders, which is sponsoring the forum. Each candidate present will be asked the same questions. Those attending the event will have a chance to write down and submit their questions.
“This event will bring together candidates from these local districts to answer questions about their priorities and vision for public education,” Novelli said. “We see this as a critical moment to shine a light on public education in our region and give voters an opportunity to hear directly from those seeking to represent them.”
The Cuyahoga Falls school district covers part of Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake. There are five candidates running for three open seats. Incumbents Anthony Gomez and Carrie A. Schaefer face challengers Jennifer Allen, John R. Sans and Courtney Zimmerman.
The Stow-Munroe Falls school district covers Stow and Munroe Falls.
There are two separate school board races in the Stow-Munroe Falls district. One has incumbent Tina Merlitti, who was appointed earlier this year to the school board after Nancy Binzel stepped down from the position, facing challenger JoAnne Loparo to finish out the rest of the term, which expires Dec. 31, 2027.
The second race has four candidates vying for two seats. Incumbent Pamela Wind faces challengers Kathrine Dannemiller, John Moyer and former school board member Jason Whitacre. Incumbent school board member Antoinette East-Jenkins, who had been appointed to the position in spring 2024 after Jon Leissler stepped down, is not on the ballot.
The candidate forum will be in the main auditorium in the library, 60 S. High St.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: School board candidates from Cuyahoga Falls, Stow-Munroe Falls districts invited to forum
Reporting by April Helms, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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