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.
“I want our neighborhood schools to become strong centers of their community. People should be invested in their local schools, even if they don’t have children currently in school,” Smithson said.
Smithson also said the board should be doing more to connect with programs in the city.
The district has more than 50,000 students across more than 80 schools with different learning models. This includes traditional schools, Montessori, college and career academies and more.
Most candidates also pushed for the board to create more opportunities for students to be exposed to different career paths while in school.
“There are so many different ways to prepare our students to get a leg up. And truthfully, I think that’s something that Mesa Public Schools offers to families within the district that some of these other educational options don’t,” Chilton said.
Walden spoke from her experience and the board’s accomplishments.
“Knowing that the overall goal here was to increase engagement and data show that the more that students are exposed to it when they’re young, the better off they’re going to be in making those choices for themselves when they get out of high school,” Walden said.
She shared that the district opened two new high schools to offer additional learning models and career curriculum within the district.
Echols, a former teacher, agreed and said while proficiency is important, the district should be focused on life goals for students.
“Our students need strong academics, but they also need opportunities to discover their strengths, apply what they know, and develop the skills in our portrait of graduate that prepare them for college, career and community,” Echols said.
Residents who live within the Mesa Public School district will have the opportunity to vote for their two favorite candidates beginning Oct. 7 through Nov. 3. The elected candidates will take an oath in January and begin their terms in 2027.
To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).
Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.
Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.
Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.
Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here