Live Coverage of Ames Community School Board Candidates Debate Tonight

Ames Community School Board Candidates are expected to face off at an Ames League of Women Voters sponsored debate 7 to 9 p.m. today in the , 515 Clark Ave.

You can follow a live blog of the debate here on the AmesPatch beginning at 7 p.m. and a follow-up story on Friday.

Mary Richards, Ames League of Women Voters president said she expects all candidates who filed for the Sept. 13 election to participate.

Candidates for the four, four-year seats include: incumbents Mary Jurenka, Francis Todey and Dan Woodin and challengers Rodney Briggs, Lucas Deardorff and Teresa Simpson. Incumbent John Hascall, who was appointed to fill an unexpired term, faces Mike Espeset for his two-year seat.

During the forum, each candidate will have a few minutes to give a brief introduction and then anyone who would like to ask a question will line up at the front of the room and take turns at the microphone.

A league member will moderate the forum but they will neither edit nor choose the questions asked. People watching the broadcast live on Channel 12 will also be able to call in questions by dialing 239-5214.

“We want to make sure as many people as possible are part of the democratic process,” Richards said.

In addition to voting for school board candidates, voters will also be asked on Sept. 13 if they would support a $65 million general obligation bond in order to build and furnish three new elementary schools and reopen Roosevelt Elementary and fix Mitchell and Sawyer elementary schools.