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There are two races for voters to decide on the Nov. 7 ballot that relate to the school board. Nine candidates are seeking three seats in one race and two people are seeking one more seat in another contest.
Those seeking one of three seats are Tim Lacy Alyssa Dunham, Darrell Thomas, James B. Arter, John M. Birkhimer, Nicole (Nikki) Blair, Elizabeth DeWitt, Jeffery Michael Hepp and Amy Shaloo Paul.
Those running for the unexpired term of Warren Stevens, who was killed in a car crash last year, are Sarah Finch and Laura Reed.
The forum will give each candidate a platform to talk about what they want to see from the city school district,
Urbana University Vice President and Provost Christopher Washington said.
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“All candidates have been given an opportunity to attend and we are getting a great response,” he said. “It’s our intention to have every candidate there.”
It’s important that people who are planning to vote in November take the time to get to know the candidate’s positions, Washington said.
“Our democracy shouldn’t be taken for granted,” he said. “It requires an intelligent electorate and (Urbana University) can be a great resource for that.”
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He said it’s his goal as the leader of the university to reach out to the community more and to host more events like the forum in the future.
Champaign County voters will see an unusually crowded ballot in November for school board candidates, with multiple people also running for seats in Mechanicsburg and West Liberty-Salem district.
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