Assembly, CVUSD School Board candidates to appear at Coachella forum
COACHELLA, CA (KESQ)- With the general election approaching, residents of the Eastern Coachella Valley will have an opportunity this week to meet candidates running for local and state office and ask questions about issues affecting their communities.
Alianza Coachella Valley will host a candidates forum Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Coachella Library, 1500 6th St. in Coachella. The event is free and open to the public. The event will also be livestream here at KESQ.com at 5:30pm.
The forum will feature candidates for the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, whose responsibilities include decisions involving school budgets, curriculum, student discipline and support, and the allocation of resources across district campuses.
Organizers say the event is intended to give families an opportunity to hear directly from candidates about their priorities for local schools and to ask questions about issues affecting students and families.
Childcare and Spanish-language interpretation will be available during the event. Organizers will also provide tacos and refreshments.
CVUSD Board Candidates Expected at Forum
According to Alianza Coachella Valley, the following candidates for the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees are expected to participate in the forum:
- Valerie Garcia — Trustee Area 1
- Loretta Perez — Trustee Area 1
- Alena Callimanis — Trustee Area 2
The candidates will have an opportunity to discuss their priorities and answer questions from community members about the future of CVUSD schools.
The Trustee Area 1 race features Garcia and Perez, while Callimanis is running in Trustee Area 2.
Assembly District 36 Candidates to Open Forum
The evening will begin with candidates competing for California's 36th Assembly District seat.
Republican Jeff Gonzalez and Democrat Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez are scheduled to participate before the school board candidates take the stage.
Following the Assembly candidates, the CVUSD Board of Trustees candidates will discuss their visions for the district and respond to questions from community members.
Alianza Coachella Valley is a nonpartisan organization that does not endorse candidates.
The organization said the forum is designed to give voters an opportunity to become informed about the candidates and their positions before casting their ballots.
Local school board decisions can have an immediate impact on students and families, from how schools spend resources to the policies that govern students' daily experiences.
Organizers are encouraging residents to attend with family members and neighbors and participate in the conversation.
What: Meet the CVUSD School Board Candidates Forum When: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5–7 p.m. Where: Coachella Library, 1500 6th St., Coachella, CA 92236 Cost: Free and open to the public Provided: Childcare, Spanish interpretation, tacos and refreshments
