School board candidates to debate

Candidates for the Carson City school board will square off Monday night in the second political event this campaign season aimed at young voters.

The debate in the Sierra Room of the Community Center is sponsored by Youth Voice, a non-partisan group created to encourage voters age 18 to 25 to get involved and participate in politics and government.

The group's first event, sponsored jointly with campus Republicans and Democrats, packed the 615 seat Nightingale Hall at the University of Nevada Reno last Monday.

"A lot of people don't think youth are interested, but they are if given the opportunity," said Youth Voice CEO Ryan Costella.

The school board debates are aimed at Carson High students - many of whom are old enough to vote in November.

"The biggest idea is to get the high school students to interact with the school board candidates so they know what the students are worried about," he said, adding that the candidates seem enthusiastic about the event.

"I think a lot of times, the school board loses touch with the students," he said.

Costella and Youth Voice's finance director Joe Lynn said the purpose is to get high school students to raise their issues and ask questions of the school board candidates.

But Lynn said the organization isn't just concerned with the upcoming elections.

"Youth Voice is not just about the political side," he said. "It's about being active in your community."

They said the organization is looking at more events in the future including a drive to get young people out to vote in November and one to show support for the troops, many in their age group, during the upcoming holiday season.

There are three contested seats on the board this election. In district 3, the candidates are Joe Enge and James Hukari. In district 4, the candidates are Ann Bednarski and Bob Crowell. In district 6, the two general election candidates are Jeff Fontaine and Barbara Howe.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.

If you go

What: School Board candidates debate sponsored by Youth Voice

Where: Sierra Room, Carson Community Center

When: 7 p.m., Monday