D-11 board candidates have a lot in common

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Oct 8, 2009 | by Sue McMillin

Short, succinct answers were the norm Wednesday night at a forum for the five board candidates running for three four-year terms in Colorado Springs School District 11.

The candidates gave opening and closing remarks and answered 13 questions in less than two hours at the forum, which was moderated by the League of Women Voters. About 35 people attended the event, which was also aired on Channel 16.

The candidates - Delia Armstrong Busby, Chyrese Exline, Al Loma, LuAnn Long and Sandra Mann - differed little on the issues, and all have been heavily involved in the community.

When asked why they should be on the board, each candidate sought to reveal something they believed distinguished them from the rest:

- Loma: A perspective honed from 25 years as a pastor, a bachelor's degree in public administration and a master's in leadership.

- Long: Service to the district in many capacities, invested in community and strong belief that children are the future.

- Mann: Not an educator, long history of community involvement, collaborator, innovator and questioner.

- Busby: A proven community advocate, innovator and a focus on successfully educating all students.

- Exline: Youth and perspective of younger generation, cultural diversity.

The candidates also weighed in on charter schools, budget cuts and the achievement gap.

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Call the writer at 636-0251.