Amid all the debates, forums and sturm und drang over the races for mayor and city council, a low-key but extremely consequential campaign for two seats on the Santa Barbara Unified School District board is also underway.
On Thursday night, the Santa Barbara Reading Coalition will sponsor one of voters’ first opportunities to hear from the candidates running in Trustee Areas 1 and 4.
The Sept. 24 event, from 5:30–7:30 p.m., will take place at the Keller Williams Realty Market Center, 1511 Chapala St.
In Area 1 (see map), longtime Eastside community advocate Jacqueline Inda is facing off against financial analyst Mark Philibosian.
In Area 4, incumbent Rose Muñoz is seeking a third term against challenger and nonprofit CEO Valerie Amparan. A third candidate on the ballot, Kevin Guay, did not respond to the group’s invitation.
TV Santa Barbara will record the live audience event and make it available later via YouTube and its Channel 17 broadcast.
The SB Reading Coalition is a volunteer group that advocates for improved reading skills for public school students, based on curricula and techniques known as the Science of Reading.