Ahead of the Nov. 7 board of education election, the Roaring Fork School District, in collaboration with the Roaring Fork Community Education Association, will host a candidate forum at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, in Carbondale. 

Competing for three director positions representing districts B, C and D, the candidates in the ring for the next four years are:

• District B: Elizabeth “Betsy” After and Alan Kokish
• District C: Phillip Bogart and Lindsay DeFrates
• District D: Solo contender Jasmin Ramirez

“Over the past two months, we have been focused on appropriately supporting prospective candidates through the candidate petition and certification process,” RFSD Public Information Officer and Designated Election Official Jonathan Landon said. “Now the community will have an opportunity to meet and hear directly from our five candidates as to why they are pursuing a board director role, and hear them answer a few questions to convey how they intend to approach this important opportunity.”

Anna Cole, the district’s acting superintendent, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the board’s pivotal role in shaping the district’s vision. 

“We look forward to partnering with the Roaring Fork Community Education Association to provide this opportunity for voters to get to know school board candidates,” Cole said. “It is important our community understands candidates’ positions, interests and goals.”

As the forum approaches, residents are encouraged to seize the opportunity, get acquainted with the candidates and play a part in determining the next chapter for Roaring Fork Schools.