A Candidate Forum for USD 365 candidates last week in Garnett, was attended by two challengers for the school board positions, but none of the incumbents chose to attend the event.
Mark Powels of Garnett and Kevin Calley of Richmond, answered questions on their beliefs on topics ranging from discussion on school mask mandates, to school funding for extra curricular activities and other topics. Powels says current board members ignored a petition he circulated last year, which gained 122 signatures, asking that the mask mandate be rescinded. Calley noted there were no items for discussion on any board agendas to discuss the mask mandate, but the mandate was put into place.
Powels is a former public school music teacher. He faces incumbent Sonya Martin for position 5. Calley will face off with incumbent Michael Richards and Incumbent Gina Witherspoon is running unopposed.
The organizer of the event said all the incumbents were invited to attend. Two said they would not be there, a third gave no response.
The election is Tuesday. Early voting is available at the Anderson County Courthouse until noon on Monday. On Election day, the polls will be open from 7:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening.
