By Shelley Kneip, LWVWA Director

On May 20, the LWVWA sponsored a public forum to hear from candidates seeking election to the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). The forum was held at Ridgeline High School in Liberty Lake, and candidates answered questions posed by the area's high school students.

The three candidates in attendance were David Olson, Chris Reykdal and Reid Saaris—the fourth candidate, John Patterson Blair, could not attend the forum. Central Valley School District graciously provided the new Ridgeline High School auditorium as the venue for the forum and Dr. John Parker, Superintendent of Central Valley School District offered invaluable assistance. The OSPI Candidate Forum was broadcast and recorded by TVW. Members from the LWV of the Spokane Area also provided volunteer assistance for the forum.

As we know, high school students are our future votes, and many students work closely with civics teachers in their senior year to learn how our government works. Teachers encourage students to be informed voters, to understand issues, and to learn more about candidates for office. The LWVWA aims to encourage future voters—especially 17-year-olds who are eligible to vote in the August primaries. The OSPI Candidate Forum provided an incredibly hands-on civics education opportunity for six future voters from Central Valley School District.

The League worked with Brittney Bergman, a civics teach at Ridgeline High School (who is also the school's Civics Bowl Coach and Junior States of America Club Advisor) and some of the students from the area's local high schools. These students included: Jason Cloward, Spokane Valley Tech; Hailee Elkins, Mica Peak High School; Lucy He, Central Valley High School; Gracie Newell and Vivian Van Buren, Ridgeline High School; and Everett Stinson, University High School.

The students studied the requirements for the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction and developed questions for the candidates. The forum was moderated by Renee Radcliff Sinclair, president and CEO of TVW, who called on the students to present their questions to the candidates. The public was also able to submit questions in advance.

Make sure you watch the recording of the OSPI Candidate Forum to see these high school students in action. We know you'll be impressed by these future voters! Our readers are encouraged to share the TVW recording with voters who have not yet seen the forum. Readers can also find more information about the forum and candidates in this piece published in The Spokesman Review.

The LWVWA will be holding another forum for the primary candidates for WA Attorney General. The forum will be held at WSU's Tri-Cities campus in Richland on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 6:30 PM. The forum is open to the public, but seating is limited. Northwest Public Broadcasting will record and air the forum.

The public is invited to submit questions for the candidates here.