By Kristy Edenfield
VOICES FOR SCHOOLS and Savannah Federation of Democratic Women are hosting a forum on Sunday, April 19 at Front Porch Improv to highlight the two candidates running for Savannah-Chatham County School Board President, Dr. Dionne Hoskins-Brown and incumbent President Roger Moss.
Front Porch Improv is located at 210 West Victory Drive, and doors open at 1:30 p.m.
The Savannahian is proud to be the livestream media sponsor of this event.
What sets this forum apart from others is that Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) students will be on stage with the candidates and helping to ask questions.
Instead of a stodgy forum with podiums and debate tables, this event, Conversations with Dr. Dionne Hoskins-Brown and Mr. Roger Moss, is designed to have more in-depth conversations with each of the candidates, and to move beyond the same questions asked at other forums, and go deeper into their vision and plan to see that vision through.
The conversation with Roger Moss will begin at 2:00 p.m., and Dionne Hoskins-Brown will take the stage at 3:00 p.m.
Students who are participating in asking questions of the candidates:
Maren Harnel, a sophomore at Savannah Arts Academy says:
“The students of SCCPSS are affected by every decision the school board makes, hearing our voices and opinions on these matters is vitally important to the health and success of our schools.”
Shrila Patel, a junior at Savannah Early College High School says:
“It is important for candidates of the school board president to listen to students because their insights are built from the lived experiences of students. This reflects what students experience each day, including perspectives that are often unheard but critical to informed decision making.”
Denise Turner, a senior at Savannah High School says:
“A strong school community is built when those in leadership genuinely listen to the voices of students, recognizing that their experiences shape the reality of education; civic awareness and participation in elections empower students to influence the direction of their environment and future; and within that process lies a fundamental truth—every voice holds the power to shape representation, making each one not only relevant, but essential.”
Both Turner and Patel are members of the SCCPSS Student Senate. Harnel and Patel are members of Mayor Van Johnson’s Youth Commission.
Dr. Denise Watts, SCCPSS Superintendent says:
“Providing students the opportunity to ask questions of school board candidates is a powerful civic learning experience. It helps students see that their voices matter, that leadership decisions shape their daily educational experience, and that informed engagement is an important part of citizenship," Dr. Watts says.
"As we continue to emphasize empowered and amplified student voices in our strategic direction, opportunities like this allow students not only to learn about the democratic process, but to practice it in a meaningful and authentic way.”
Kelly Pack, one of the organizers with Voices for Schools says:
“Education is the most important building block of our society. We must prioritize and protect the right of students to learn and have access to a free appropriate public education," says Pack.
"In holding these forums, we hope to help the public make informed decisions on who we are electing to lead the education of the students in our district.”
Jenny McCord, also with Voices for Schools says:
“I believe the school board chair race is the single most important contest on any ballot. Education is the foundation for everything else. We need a fundamental shift in how we value our schools," McCord says.
"Our schools should be the North Star, inspiring spaces where we treat the recruitment of top-tier teachers with the same urgency as national defense, fighting for professional salaries that reflect their true value. Our schools should be a massive investment for our government, yet remain a free and accessible right for every family," she says.
"The stakes are clear in our data: SCCPSS's poverty rate is above 70%, while the county's is 14%. We need a board that understands how generational poverty affects the classroom and is brave enough to pursue economic diversity within our classrooms that improves outcomes for everyone," says McCord.
"We also need to address the fact that this election is held in May. Moving school board races away from general elections is a transparent attempt to decrease voter turnout, and frankly, it’s shameless," she says.
"We should be making it easier for parents and neighbors to have a voice in our schools, not harder. We need to elect leaders who can deliver the monumental changes our students and communities deserve.”
Jim Morekis, founding editor of The Savannahian, says of the publication’s participation in livestreaming the forum: “Local elections are so important, and often get so little attention. Education goes to the heart of who we are as a community. We're happy to do our part in helping promote civic engagement."
People can watch the livestream on the The Savannahian Facebook page.
Sunday is the only opportunity for voters to see the candidates answer questions from SCCPSS students on stage and in a forum this election cycle.
Important dates:
Deadline to register to vote in this election: Monday, April 20, 2026
Election Day: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Early Voting starts on Monday, April 27, 2026
Facebook event link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1389727739837195
