In an email at 1:19 p.m. today, Stephanie Campbell, candidate for District 7 School Board, dropped out of a school board candidate forum scheduled for Sunday afternoon. The email from Campbell to Kelly Pack, forum organizer, said, “Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the forum, but I now have another event tomorrow and will be unable to attend.”

Additionally, Campbell said, “Ok, so I now have another event in my district tomorrow since it is raining so badly today – I really need to be at the event to reach a pocket of voters with which I haven’t had an opportunity to speak. I’ve discussed it with my campaign folks and they unanimously believe I should be at the event.”

The Voices for Schools debate forum was live streamed by Connect Savannah on May 19.

On Friday in a text message, Barbara Hubbard canceled her participation in the forum as well.

“It is my husband’s birthday and we have out of town guests coming to celebrate,” she wrote. “Sorry.”

Both Campbell and Hubbard confirmed participation in the debate forum in mid-April, and there was frequent communication with organizers over the past month. Voices for School offered both candidates the opportunity to swap their forum time slot with a different district, and their opponents agreed to make those accommodations, but both Campbell and Hubbard declined.

Campbell said, “I appreciate your willingness to accommodate, but we will be unable to make it work. Thanks again.”

Rufus Friday, the publisher of Connect Savannah, says of the publication’s participation in livestreaming the forum, “Our goal at Connect Savannah is to ensure transparency and accessibility in local elections. By livestreaming the debate, we hope to empower voters with the information they need to make informed choices.”

Coco Guthrie-Papy, Director of Public Policy and Communications with Deep Center, and forum moderators says, “It is unfortunate that two of our candidates decided to drop out with such short notice in the one school board forum for the entire election cycle. That is a loss, of course, for voters watching and attending. We are still committed to engaging the remaining candidates in the forum and ultimately for participants to leave with a better understanding of each of their positions. Ultimately, these decisions are in the hands of voters — however each of the candidates are showing up or not showing up, it is up to Chatham County to decide on the values they see reflected in this race and who they want representing them.”

Pack says, “It is regrettable that both Barbara Hubbard and Stephanie Campbell have decided not to participate in the Voices for Schools forum this Sunday. Our aim is to provide voters the opportunity to get to know their candidates before casting their votes. VFS are grateful for the candidates who have dedicated the time to answer questions from the public, and we would like to encourage constituents to tune into the live stream on Sunday to learn more about these candidates.”

Jenny McCord, an administrator of Voices for Schools, and debate forum organizer says, “I am extremely disappointed, though perhaps not surprised, that the two school board candidates whose children and grandchildren all attend private schools withdrew from the forum at the last minute. I was eager to hear their perspectives on how private school policies could enhance public schools, particularly in attracting families that could help increase funding and reduce class sizes, which would significantly impact educational outcomes.”

Both Campbell and Hubbard have significantly outraised their incumbent counterparts and they have used those funds for glossy campaign mailers.

Voices for Schools and Deep Center successfully hosted a similar debate forum two years ago for District 4, 5, 7, and 8 candidates, along with the School Board President candidates. All candidates for those seats participated in the 2022 forum and voters were given a look at the differences in people running.

Denise Grabowski, District 1 School Board incumbent, will engage with voters tomorrow as scheduled in a conversation style format.

Grabowski says, “I was looking forward to the opportunity to participate in the forum with Mrs. Hubbard. Although she decided not to participate, I appreciate the revised format and am excited about the opportunity to speak directly to the voters. I also appreciate the work that has gone into putting this forum together.”

Michael Johnson, District 7 School Board member, and challenger Jay Jones have both confirmed they will participate in the debate forum.

Johnson says, “When I heard that one of my opponents would not be joining us for our debate, about 24 hours before it was supposed to happen, I was saddened for the citizens of the seventh district. It is a shame that they will not answer real questions from real people that they are wanting to represent. I hope that the citizens of West Chatham remember this on Election Day; who showed up at this forum to answer questions submitted by constituents, versus who would rather be with a select group of elite people.”

Jay Jones, candidate District 7, says, “In light of Stephanie’s unexpected withdrawal, I want to remind our community of the principles that drive my campaign. I don’t just talk about the importance of public education; I live it every day as a parent of a child in our public schools. My commitment is to the real issues, not the deep pockets of special interest groups. I refuse to be swayed by funds tied to guns, cheap labor, or partisan games.”

Both Connie Hall, District 2 incumbent, and Tanet Taharka Myers have confirmed their participation in the Voices for Schools debate forum tomorrow.

Migrant Equity Southeast will be providing translation services during the forum. District One will begin at 2 pm, District Three at 3:15 pm, and District Seven at 4:30 pm Connect Savannah livestreamed the forum on Facebook (watch at bottom of this story).

Individuals who have questions about voting, or issues on Election Day, are encouraged to call the Chatham County Voter Registration office at 912.790.1520.

Where to vote on Election Day?

At your normal polling place from 7 am to 7 pm. For locations and directions, check out the My Voter Page on the Georgia Secretary of State website linked here.

Where to drop an absentee ballot?

You can drop it off at the Chatham County Voter Registration office located at 1117 Eisenhower Drive before 7 pm on Tuesday. Military personnel have three additional days for the Chatham County Board of Elections to receive their absentee ballot in the mail.

This article appears in Connect Savannah I Best of Savannah.