Candidates for IPS school board will answer questions at forum today

The future direction of Indianapolis Public Schools could hinge on the outcome of the 2016 election, so Chalkbeat is teaming up with three partners to further introduce the candidates and their positions on the issues today.

Incumbents and challengers will come together to answers the big questions facing the district at a forum sponsored by Chalkbeat, WFYI and the Indianapolis Recorder in partnership with the Indianapolis Public Library at 5 p.m. at the Indianapolis Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.

The conversation will be broken into two sessions:

READ: Find more on this year’s races for superintendent, governor and IPS school board.

5:00 – 6:15 p.m.

Michael O’Connor – District 1

Christine M. Prince – District 1

Venita J. Moore – District 2

Nanci E. Lacy – District 2

Ramon L. Batts – District 2

6:30 – 7:45 p.m.

Diane Arnold – District 4

Larry Vaughn – District 4

Elizabeth M. Gore – At-Large

Jim Grim – At-Large

Samuel L. Odle – At-Large

With 10 candidates vying for four seats on the board, there is wide disagreement about the future of the district — from whether it should embrace partnerships with charter schools to whether to stick with Superintendent Lewis Ferebee.

Candidates backed by school reform advocates have won resounding victories in recent elections thanks to well-organized and well-financed campaigns. But this time around, critics of the current administration are aiming to shake up the election with OurIPS, a new group dedicated to getting a slate of challengers elected.

The event is free and open to the public. Friends and coworkers welcome. The forum will also be live streamed by WFYI.