Where do Louisville school board candidates stand on big issues? Find out at these forums

Veda Morgan, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read

Teacher shortages. Student assignment changes. COVID-19 policies and culture wars.

The Jefferson County Board of Education is facing tough challenges that will impact your children. And several candidates are competing for your vote in November to represent District 1, which includes parts of the West End, Old Louisville and downtown.

Where do those candidates stand on the issues most important to you? Find out at The Courier Journal’s first school board candidates forum set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Western Branch Library, 604 S. 10th St.

Incumbent and board chairwoman Diane Porter and challengers Ahamara Brewster, Carol Travis-Clark and Charlie Bell will answer questions from moderator Olivia Krauth, The Courier Journal’s education reporter, and from the audience.

They will discuss issues like parent and teacher involvement in shaping school board decisions, battles over race and gender and ways to close student-achievement gaps.

Interest in running for school board is up across the country as disputes over mask mandates and how race is taught in school have drawn conservative candidates who want to see change.

November election:Here's a rundown of who is running for school board in Louisville

In JCPS, four of seven seats will be on the November ballot, with all four incumbents – Porter, Vice Chairman Corrie Shull and members James Craig and Linda Duncan — facing challengers.

The District 1 forum is the first of four The Courier Journal will hold as part of its mobile newsroom partnership with the Louisville Free Public Library system. The other forums will feature candidates running in Districts 3, 5 and 6.

Below are the details and candidates who have agreed to participate. (Note: Misty Glin in District 6, Steve Ullum in District 3 and Gregory Puccetti in District 5 have been invited but have not responded yet.)

Courier Journal school board candidate forums

District 1

6 p.m. Aug. 23, Western Library, 604 S. 10th St.

Candidates

  • Diane Porter (incumbent)

  • Charlie Bell

  • Carol Travis-Clark

  • Ahamara Brewster

District 5

6:30 p.m. Sept. 21, Fairdale Branch Library, 10620 W Manslick Road

Candidates

  • Linda Duncan (incumbent)

  • Matthew Singleton

District 1 candidates for JCPS school board talked about their ideas during a forum hosted by The Courier Journal at Western Library Aug. 23, 2022. The event was moderated by education reporter Olivia Krauth.
District 1 candidates for JCPS school board talked about their ideas during a forum hosted by The Courier Journal at Western Library Aug. 23, 2022. The event was moderated by education reporter Olivia Krauth.

District 6

6 p.m. Oct. 4, Newburg Branch Library, 4800 Exeter Ave.

Candidates

  • Corrie Shull (incumbent)

  • Misty Glin

District 3

6 p.m. Oct. 13, Northeast Regional Library, 15 Bellevoir Circle

Candidates

  • James Craig (incumbent)

  • Gay Adelmann

  • Sam Cowan

Veda Morgan is the senior director for engagement and diversity. She can be reached at vmorgan@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: JCPS school board candidates forums held ahead of November election