EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Voters in the Canutillo Independent School District had the chance to hear directly from school board candidates during Thursday’s forum organized and hosted by students.<\/p>\n
Student leaders from Canutillo High School and Northwest Early College High School hosted a candidate forum on Thursday ahead of the Nov. 3 election for the CISD Board of Trustees. <\/p>\n
Organizers said it is the only school board candidate forum being held within CISD before Election Day.<\/p>\n
The hourlong event allowed students an opportunity to ask candidates questions about issues affecting CISD and public education. <\/p>\n
Students who took part emphasized the importance of holding sessions like the forum to give the community a chance to engage with candidates. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor smaller races, more local races, there isn’t a lot of media coverage. There aren’t a lot of opportunities for people to know about the candidates,” Ines Andrade, a Northwest Early College High School senior.<\/p>\n
According to Carmen Castaneda, a Canutillo community member, the forum was a way to explore leadership options.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, I don’t feel we have good leadership all the way to the top,” Castaneda said. <\/p>\n
Candidates also have been asked to remain at the venue after the forum to answer questions from members of the public individually.<\/p>\n
All nine candidates in the two board races on the ballot have been invited to participate.<\/p>\n
On Nov. 3, voters will select three candidates to serve full four-year terms on the Board of Trustees. Voters will also elect one candidate to fill a two-year unexpired term.<\/p>\n
Candidates seeking those seats include former CISD Superintendent Dr. Pedro Galaviz and Blance Trout, who previously withdrew from the board election race in 2024 for personal reasons and is now looking for one of the three-at-large positions.<\/p>\n
Other candidates include Cindy Andrade Carrillo, Ryan Escamilla, Sergio Martinez, incumbent Breanne Barnes, and Guadalupe Monta\u00f1ez.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the fourth seat is an unexpired term with two years remaining due to Trout’s withdrawal. Patsy Mendoza is now looking to fill that seat and is the only person seeking that position.<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: Canutillo ISD voters to choose four school board seats in Nov. election<\/a><\/p>\n