April 27, 2005 – Shirley Luna

NISD school board candidates to debate at SFA

A debate between the candidates in two contested races for the Nacogdoches Independent School District board of trustees election will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 2, in the Vera Dugas Liberal Arts North Building Room 142 at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Cheryl Adamson and Leann West, candidates for the at-large position currently held by outgoing trustee Duncan Rogde, will be debating, as will Esiquio "Zeke" Martinez, who is challenging incumbent Richard Fischer for the District 2 position.

"The debate provides the community with an excellent opportunity to assess the candidates, in particular in regard to their understanding of the role of the school board in facilitating education in the Nacogdoches ISD, which has been a controversial issue in this high-profile election," said Dr. Marc Guidry, SFA assistant professor of English.

Judge Ed Klein of the 420th Judicial District Court, Nacogdoches County, will moderate the debate. Audience members who would like to submit questions for the candidates must arrive early in order to write down their questions, which will be screened by Judge Klein and his assistants. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

The debate is sponsored by SFA's College of Liberal Arts, which endorses no candidate in either race.

For further information about the debate, contact Guidry at (936) 468-2128 or via e-mail at mguidry@sfasu.edu.