The race for Dallas’ next mayor is officially on with a finalized lineup of nine candidates. Before voting in the May election, it’s important to know each candidate’s plans for the city.
That’s why CityLab High School Foundation is hosting a mayoral forum.
“It’s important that we have insight into each candidate’s plans for our city’s most important asset, our children, before the May 4 mayoral election,” said Jaynie Schultz, president of the CityLab High School Foundation, in a statement.
With a theme of Shaping the Future of Dallas through Education, the forum will provide an opportunity for voters to learn each candidate’s stance on education. All nine contenders have agreed to participate—Mike Ablon, Albert Black, Scott Griggs, Eric Johnson, Alyson Kennedy, Lynn McBee, Regina Montoya, Miguel Solis, and Jason Villalba—with each planning to share their ideas on how to develop the future leaders of the city.
Originally, Miguel Patino and Steve Smith also agreed to take part, but both will no longer appear on the May ballot after failing to get the necessary amount of signatures.
The forum will be moderated by Texas State Representative Rafael Anchia of House District 103. The general public is invited to attend and ask questions, and CityLab will live tweet throughout the evening for those that can’t be there in person.
The questions will be developed with the help of CityLab High School students, who have a knowledge of the city’s issues through various school projects. CityLab High School is a Choice School that primarily focuses on instruction in urban development. Students from throughout the district are eligible to apply, and if accepted, have the opportunity to use the city of Dallas as a real-life, hands-on laboratory. The goal is to prepare the next generation of civic leaders that have a holistic understanding of urbanism and how to develop a city.
CityLab High School Foundation is a nonprofit comprised of an advisory board that advocates for the students of Dallas ISD’s CityLab High School.
“CityLab High School students are encouraged to be informed citizens, engaged in the community, and to use the city as a laboratory for learning,” Schultz said. “This forum will provide our students with an opportunity to learn about city government and participate in the process of preparing questions for public discussion.”
CityLab High School Foundation’s mayoral forum will be held at Dallas Scottish Rite on Thursday, March 28 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. You can find more information here.
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