School board race is heating up

FINN ROCK: A public forum for candidates seeking seats on the McKenzie School Board hasn’t panned out as planned. On Tuesday morning the event’s sponsor, the McKenzie Educational Association, reported only four of the eight candidates had agreed to show up to answer six questions that had been sent in advance of the forum. The questions ranged from prior involvement with the school to challenges facing the district as well as any current courses or programs that should be added to or deleted from the curriculum.

Candidates who said they will show up on April 28th are Danna Brownell (for Position 1), Sarah Mackenzie (Position 2), Alyssa Brownlee (Position 3), and Jason Wick-izer (Position 5).

Taya Brock, who is running against Brownell; Kail Harbick who faces Mackenzie; Max Metcalf who is running against Alyssa Brownlee; and Justin Barker who faces Wickizer, did not confirm they will attend.

Some instead took to social media to post their thoughts. Brock referenced her background as a former McKenzie student and athlete, along with her experience with financial matters as the owner of a local restaurant. Metcalf, a rock quarry manager, said he looked forward to encouraging parental involvement and participating in full transparency. Harbick wrote about the importance of family involvement in schools and encouraging parental rights.

The School Board Candidate Forum has been scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 28th. It will be held in the old gymnasium at McKenzie High School. People who can attend in person will be able to watch online at: tinyurl.com/mrymyepu.