The men and women running for the Oak Park Unified School District Board of Education had a chance to show their breadth of knowledge about educational issues at an Oct. 5 candidate’s forum hosted by the Community Foundation.

Incumbent Marie Panec is seeking reelection, but two other seats on the panel are open with the announcement that longtime board members Cindy Vinson and Mary Rees will not seek another term.

The challengers include Mary Pallant, a former candidate for U.S. Congress, Allen Rosen, a technology professional, and Sepideh Yeoh, a life and career coach. Pallant didn’t attend the forum.

Superintendent Tony Knight submitted the first question and asked each candidate how the school district can provide a first class education, maintain competitive salaries and benefits for school employees, and keep staff morale high despite “dwindling funds for Oak Park Schools due to the most severe state budget cutbacks to public schools in state history.”

“That is the million dollar question,” Panec said. She called for the school district to work more closely with the community to maintain high quality programs.

Yeoh agreed and said it “takes a village to raise a child,” and the district must “get creative and think out of the box.”

Rosen said because many teachers receive layoff notices in June and are rehired in September, they need a better sense of job security.

The candidates were asked whether one of the schools in the district should be closed to help ease budget concerns.

“If it comes to that and it makes sense then we have to do it,” Yeoh said. Panec says that she doubts the district would close a school because the move would not be worth the savings.

The candidates were asked about their views on out-of-district transfer students. Yeoh said a lack of money was the biggest issue, but added that the out-of-district students in Oak Park also bring certain benefits, including more diversity.

Panec agreed with the school district’s recent decision to cap the out-of-district transfers to 35 percent of the student population.

Rosen said that the increase in transfer students was a necessary, short term solution.

Asked what essential skills were necessary for a school board member, Rosen said being able to operate as a team and carrying an open mind.

Yeoh said it’s important for school board members to be good listeners.

Panec said that a board member must have an inquisitive mind and a healthy dose of skepticism. She added that board members must always embrace decisions made by the board, even when they are outvoted.

“Communication is essential,” Panec said.

Candidates were asked how they would balance the needs of the general student population with those who have special needs.

All candidates said students are entitled to a free and appropriate education.

When asked how to deal with budget issues that have led to a reduction in music and library program hours while increasing class sizes, Yeoh said she would look for ways to preserve music as a means to educate the whole child.

“I want to keep cuts away from the classroom,” Yeoh said.

Rosen said art, music and other extracurricular activities must be weighed against the prospect of furlough days and teacher layoffs.