School District residents have an opportunity to learn more about the Board of Education candidates during a public forum hosted by student leaders from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19 in the auditorium at Kearney High School.

This public forum is being sponsored by the school’s Student Advisory Board, Student Council and National Honor Society. KHS junior Avery Aller and senior Jak Gist will emcee the event. The school is located at 715 E. 19th St. in Kearney.

KSD voters will make their selections to fill two spots on the school board during the April 2, 2024, municipal election. Those positions are currently held by Board President Darlene Bailey and Board Member Susan Woehrman. Ms. Woehrman is not seeking reelection and her term will end at the Board’s April 10 meeting. School board members are elected for three-year terms.

All six School Board candidates have been invited to participate in the high school’s public forum:

● Matthew J. Baker

● Richard Cawthon

● Darlene Bailey

● Michael Joe Hickey

● Ben Anderson

● Chrystan Ferrell

At the public forum, the candidates will be given a brief opportunity to introduce themselves and then the moderators will ask questions submitted by their fellow students. The candidates will be given an equal amount of time to respond to each question. The questions will not be shared ahead of time.

Residents must be registered by Wednesday, March 6 in order to cast their votes in the April 2 election. Visit the Clay County Board of Election Commissioners or Clinton County websites for more information about the upcoming election, instructions about voter registration and details about how, when and where to vote.

KPGZ News - Ray Weikal with the Kearney School District contributed to this story