Where do JCPS board candidates stand on key issues? Hear from each

The general election is quickly approaching, and it is guaranteed to make significant changes to the makeup of the Jefferson County Board of Education, given all five seats are up for grabs.

Ahead of Election Day, The Courier Journal hosted five candidate forums in an effort to connect community members with those who are vying for their votes. All but two of the candidates running for a school board seat participated in the forums, which asked candidates to share their thoughts on a variety of issues facing Kentucky's largest school system.

The forums were co-moderated by Courier Journal reporters and Jefferson County Public Schools students . Candidates discussed their views on the district's academic achievement scores , financial accountability, enrollment decreases, community violence and more.

View recordings of each forum and find links to read about the candidates' answers below.

To find out which district you will vote in, view your sample ballot on the Jefferson County Clerk's Office website .

Jefferson County Board of Education District 1 forum

Two candidates are running for the District 1 board seat:

• Jody Hurt

• Gail Logan Strange (incumbent)

Hurt did not respond to an invitation to participate in the forum.

Read takeaways from the discussion here .

Jefferson County Board of Education District 2 forum

Five candidates are running for the District 2 board seat:

• Lillian Brents

• Alante' J. Gaines

• Phil Haming

• Robert Kahne

• Tim Shaughnessy

Gaines did not respond to an invitation to participate in the forum.

Read takeaways from the discussion here .

Jefferson County Board of Education District 3 forum

Three candidates are running for the District 3 board seat:

• Taylor Everett (incumbent)

• Veda Pendleton

• Neil Seftor

Read takeaways from the discussion here .

Jefferson County Board of Education District 4 forum

Four candidates are running for the District 4 board seat:

• Trevin Bass (incumbent)

• Deja B. Jackson

• Michelle E. Patrick

• Kimberly Ann Vinegar

Read takeaways from the discussion here .

Jefferson County Board of Education District 5 forum

Three candidates are running for the District 5 board seat:

• Carrie Donovan

• Kyle N. Killebrew

• William E. Snawder

Read takeaways from the discussion here .

When is the JCPS school board election?

Jefferson County Board of Education races are nonpartisan. The general election will take place Nov. 3. No-excuse early voting will take place Oct. 29-31.

Krista Johnson covers education and children. Have story ideas or questions? Contact her at kjohnson3@gannett.com and  subscribe to her newsletter .

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Where do JCPS board candidates stand on key issues? Hear from each