The Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidate forum for the Mesa Public School board candidates, where candidates discussed parent choice, literacy and other issues that they plan to take on if elected.
There are four candidates seeking two seats on the board. Rachel Walden, the incumbent, is seeking a second term. Jason Smithson, Josh Chilton and Jen Echols are all parents involved in the district and said they have ideas they would like to implement within the district to improve proficiency scores and the well-being of students and staff.
Otto Shill, a board member for the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, moderated the event lasting nearly an hour. He asked candidates about their priorities and ideas for the board, and many agreed that the board could improve on empowering the community to be involved in school decisions.
