Who’s running for West Ada school board? Our voter guide highlights the candidates

West Ada School District residents will elect three school board trustees in the upcoming election.

Voters will pick three of eight candidates running for the open seats on the five-member board.

Running in Zone 2 are incumbent Lucas K. Baclayon and challenger Susie Schuetz. Zone 2 is south of Interstate 84 between Cole and Meridian roads.

Both say they hope to improve teacher retention by creating a positive environment. Schuetz hopes to analyze teacher exit surveys to better understand why the district is losing teachers.

Running for Zone 4 are incumbent David Binetti and challengers Mari Gates and Miguel De Luna. Zone 4 includes Eagle and Star and a portion of unincorporated Ada County north of Beacon Light Road.

Binetti said West Ada ranks first in reading and math in Idaho. De Luna said the current trustees are misusing taxpayer money to support school district bonds and levies to pay for needed school improvements. Gates did not respond to the Idaho Statesman’s voter questionnaire.

Running for Zone 5 are incumbent Rene Ozuna and challengers Tom Moore and Jeremy Cutler. Zone 5 is south of Chinden Boulevard north of I-84. It is bordered on the west by Ten Mile Road and the east by Eagle Road.

Ozuna and Cutler say the district is on the right track. Moore said too many students fail to graduate.

The trustees would serve four-year terms.

The Idaho Statesman sent surveys to each of the candidates, and their responses are copied below, unedited.

Learn more about this race and other local elections at IdahoStatesman.com/Election.