School board candidates to debate Oct. 1 at Chiawana High

Chiawana High School will host a debate Oct. 1 between the president of the Pasco School Board and his challenger in this November’s general election.

The debate between board President Ryan Brault and Aaron Richardson is organized by the social studies departments of Chiawana and Ellen Ochoa Middle School, along with the Chiawana GEAR UP Ambassadors and the high school’s speech and debate team, Hawk Tawk. Students from Chiawana and Ochoa will pose questions.

It’s the second time the school has held a political debate, with Chiawana’s social studies department chair Robert Gutierrez organizing a debate last year with candidates for the 4th Congressional District seat vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings. Gutierrez was named the state Civics Teacher of the Year last year for his role in organizing the event.

The debate will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Chiawana auditorium, is free to attend and open to the public. People will also be able to register to vote at the event.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 12:23 PM with the headline "School board candidates to debate Oct. 1 at Chiawana High."