Atlanta school board candidates to meet at Thursday election forum

Voters will get a chance this week to hear directly from the candidates running for the Atlanta school board District 2 race.

Eight of the 9 candidates running to represent the central Atlanta district have confirmed they will participate in a Thursday forum at Families First, 80 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. NW.

Doors open at 5:45 p.m., and the forum will begin at 6:15 p.m.

Nine candidates are running for the seat. They are: Chadd Jonesmith, Paula Kupersmith, Keisha Carey, Aretta Baldon, Will Chandler, Nathaniel Dyer, Davida Huntley, Ed Johnson and Christopher Brown.

Carey will not attend, according to a forum organizer.

The event is hosted by Concerned Citizens Atlanta Public Schools; L.E.A.R.N.global, a nonprofit organization; and LEADright, a leadership coaching firm.

The District 2 election will be held election Sept. 17. If needed, a runoff election is scheduled for Oct. 15.

The vacancy was created by former school board member Byron Amos' departure from the board.

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