With three candidates vying for two open seats on the IUSD Board of Education, the Irvine Unified Council PTA is planning to host a special “Candidates Forum” later this month. Organizers say the forum, set to begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 20, will give the public an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about their qualifications and their views on education in advance of Election Day, which falls on Nov. 2. In Irvine, the Board of Education is comprised of five members who hold four-year terms and set policy for the 27,000-student district. Among its numerous duties, the school board adopts the annual budget, hires the superintendent and approves expenditures, curriculum, facility plans and construction contracts. (For more information about the board's duties, click here.) This year’s candidates are incumbent Sharon Wallin, who is the current Board president; fellow incumbent Dr. Gavin Huntley-Fenner, a scientist; and challenger Jodie Lu Stout Hoffman, an education evaluation consultant. The Sept. 20 forum, which will be open to the community and broadcast locally on Channel 39, will take place in the Board Room of the District Office, located at 5050 Barranca Parkway.
