Community members were invited to attend the Board of Education debate on Oct. 15 at the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Candidates for the Hays USD 489 school board debated topics mentioned by the attendees after their opening statements.

Although nine candidates are running for school board, there are only four open positions. The candidates include current members Paul Adams and Luke Oborny, as well as newcomers Cole Engel, Alex Herman, Lori Hertel, Jessica Moffitt, Craig Pallister, Allen Park and Tammy Wellbrock.

After the candidates’ two-minute introductions, the audience was offered the chance to ask questions, mainly targeting the issues of health insurance and transportation in the district.

The community will vote and determine the new four school board members on Nov. 5.