Coalition on Race Hosts Final Board of Ed Candidates Debate

The hosted the third and final forum for the six candidates vying for three seats on the nine-person South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education.

Madhu Pai, Jeff Bennett and Wayne Eastman — who are running together — answered questions along with Jennifer Payne Parrish, Amy Higer and Karen (Tia) Swanson, who are aligned.

Patch will be loading video of the debate throughout the day.

The first video loaded features the candidates answering the question:

• Do you agree with the new board policy on middle school and high school restructuring?

Other video clips now loaded include opening statements and discussions on closing the achievement gap, enrichment, professional development, differentiated instruction, and International Baccalaureate.

We are not including closing statements because some of them deal with a particular question that was directed at one candidate. The question included an unsubstantiated rumor. Patch editors have decided not to report on the incident until after the election.