OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Candidates running for a seat on the Ottumwa Community School Board gathered this evening in city hall to participate in a forum held by the Ottumwa Chapter of the League of Women Voters.
Only four out of the five candidates running for the position participated. Candidate, Charles Coram told members of the league Thursday afternoon that he could not make the forum because of a prior commitment. Therefore, the only candidates to participate in the forum were actually incumbents.
The questioning came both from the league and from members in the audience. A handful of people attended, while others had the opportunity to view the forum on the city’s cable channel or listen on one of the local radio stations.
Many of the questions were directed at the proposed elementary school planned for Ottumwa’s south-end. All of the candidates, in their answers, seemed to be on the same page when it came to this topic, including what the new facility will mean for students and parents.
Other questions focused on how the board handled the hiring of the district’s current superintendent. Most of the candidates informed the audience about the procedures that the board went through, including the closed-door sessions or interviews. Many in the community have questioned the board on that policy, but as KTVO learned that policy was put into place by legal council due to the district not discussing personnel issues in public.
Candidates were questioned on whether future school board elections should be moved to November to coincide with municipal elections, all of the candidates agreed that it was a great idea, being that the public would be more involved.
Voters in Ottumwa take to the polls September 13th.
Candidates include:
Charles Coram
Cindy Kurtz Hopkins
Douglas Mathias
Ron Oswalt
Greg Riley
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO