'Meet the Candidates' for PHM School Board event at Schmucker Middle School Monday

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- The Penn-Harris-Madison Forum is hosting a "Meet the Candidates" night Sept. 30 to give the public a chance to chat and interact with PHM Board of School Trustees candidates. 

There are three open seats this election cycle, and six candidates running to fill them.  Five of those candidates have confirmed that they will be at the event on Monday night.

Confirmed candidates attending:

• Penn Twp. Seat 2 – current Board Member/Vice President Mr. Ryan McCullough
• Penn Twp. Seat 3 – current Board Member Mr. Jim Garrett
• Penn Twp. Seat 3 – Candidate Katie Inabnit Bell
• Harris Twp. Seat 4 – Candidate Gary Fox
• Harris Twp. Seat 4 – Candidate Arthur M. Klinger

The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Schmucker Middle School. Those who can't attend in person can livestream the event. 

"This is not a debate. Decorum and respectful behavior is expected for all in attendance," organizers said. "The participating candidates will be given the entire list of questions submitted by the public. However, because the event is two hours in length, Forum Officers will combine/condense questions of similar topics. Priority will be placed on questions asked of all candidates. Questions that are personal attacks or those deemed inappropriate for this setting, will not be asked."

Organizers say each candidate will be given five minutes to introduce themselves, share qualifications, and their platform, and that the order will be determined alphabetically.

Each candidate will be asked the same questions with 90 seconds to respond, and in-person audience members will be given the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates who will have 90 seconds to respond.

To end the event, each candidate will have three minutes for closing statements.