Clay County School Board candidates made their final appeals to voters July 22 at a nearly two-hour forum hosted by the Clay County Federated Republican Women in Orange Park, ahead of the Aug. 18 primary.
Incumbent Erin Skipper and challenger Lara Libretto are competing in District 1, incumbent Michele Hanson and challenger Michael Rathjen in District 4. Gerald Beasley is running in District 5.
Candidates agreed on improving student achievement, supporting teachers and keeping schools safe, but split over funding, teacher retention and how quickly artificial intelligence should enter classrooms.
Incumbent Ashley Gilhousen and challenger Veronica Powell-Faison did not attend.
