[Editor’s note; School board candidate Dena Kimble said in an email that she was not invited to the forum. “I was never invited to the forum at the board office. I never received a phone call, email or text about it,” she said. “I emailed Mr. Coward (David Coward, Friends of AJUSD member) and he had the wrong email address.”]

A community forum for candidates seeking election to Apache Junction Unified School District governing board will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, in the school board’s meeting room, 1575 W. Southern Ave. in Apache Junction.

Two presently serving members whose terms are expiring — Chelsea Connolly and Dena Kimble — are seeking re-election; and three other candidates — Valerie Fleming, Barbara Kanzler and Gail Ross — are also seeking election to the two available board slots.

Justice of the Peace Douglas Coleman will moderate the candidates forum.

Candidates will offer opening remarks prior to responding to questions from the public, after which they will each give closing comments.

Parents, students, teachers and the general public are encouraged to attend and hear from the candidates about their qualifications and interests in seeking election to the school board.

Local residents Robin Barker, Dea Podhajsky and Sharon Stinard are issuing this invitation as Friends of the Apache Junction Unified School District.