The Knoxville School District’s Meet the Candidates Night is less than a week away.

The event will feature school board candidates answering pre asked questions in front of a live audience and on air on 1320 AM and 95.3 KNIA.

The Iowa Association of School Board’s Harry Heigilenthal will be moderating the event. Heigilenthal will explain the format and the source of the questions before beginning and he will draw a number to determine who will start each question. Each candidate will have 90 seconds to answer each of the seven questions. Candidates will have 45 seconds to answer the last question if time permits. Candidates Vickie Reed, Andrew Schmidt, Marty Duffy, Cheri Gerdes, Dawn Rankin, Larry Scott, and Darbie Utterback will all take part in the event.

Meet the Candidates Night will be held at the Knoxville Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, August 30th at 6:30 p.m. with the school board election taking place on Tuesday, September 12th.

5:00 p.m. Candidates draw # to determine seat assignments and perform sound check.

5:30 p.m. Open Forum on Proposition A: Tennis/Basketball Court Project.

6:30 p.m. Dr. Bob Leonard welcomes the public and introduces the following candidates running for a seat on the Knoxville School Board and Harry Heiligenthal as the moderator.

2-year terms: Vickie Reed and Andrew Schmidt 4-year terms: Marty Duffy, Cheri Gerdes, Dawn Rankin, Larry Scott, Darbie Utterback

Harry will then explain the format and the source of the questions before beginning the session. He will draw a number to determine who will start each question. Each candidate will have 90 seconds to answer each of the seven questions. Larissa will be the timekeeper and hold up a yellow card at 60 seconds and red card at 85 seconds. Candidates will have 45 seconds to answer the last question if time permits.

1. What motivates you to want to become a board member?

2. In what school or district activities have you previously been involved?

3. What are 1-2 strengths of which our district can be proud? Why do you see these as strengths?

4. What are 1-2 needs that must be priorities for our district to address? Why do you see these as needs?

5. What are the most important things the district can do to achieve its mission and goals? (Ensuring a Culture of Excellence for Every Student, Be a Leader in 21st Century Learning, and Be a Caring Community).

6. What do you believe are the most important characteristics of an effective school board and effective school board member?

7. If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?

8. What are a couple of summary comments you would like the public to know about you as a school board candidate?