Board Candidates Meet Up in Springs

The four running for Board of Education stopped in at the on Tuesday night to make their last-minutes pitches ahead of next week's school election.

, , and are running for two spots on the board, and only Mallah who ran unsuccessfully two years ago, has been in this kind of race before.

(Click on their names to see our video interviews with the candidates.)

All of the candidates said they want to pursue consolidation with , and they all touted reading as one of the strongest programs in the school. But then they diverged.

Frazier put his emphasis long-term planning. He wants to make a comprehensive budget plan for many years to come instead of just next year.

Mendelman, on the other hand, disapproved of an idea to hire an independent budget advisory committee, saying she thinks that’s the board's job.

Mallah declined to answer if she would vote “yes” on the budget while the other candidates pushed a “yes” vote. Also, when asked about what candidates would logistically do about the population increase in the school, all the other candidates revealed plans about expanding the school or using temporary classrooms.

Mallah focused, instead, on making sure everyone at the school is a legal citizen.

Goldman pointed to grant writing and program sharing as a way to cut costs within the school. Goldman also said, “any part of a contract can be renegotiated,” speaking about staff contract negotiations.

All the candidates spoke about finding places where money the district can save money.