CEDAR FALLS - The four Cedar Falls Board of Education candidates fielded questions varying from districtwide challenges to board priorities during a Thursday forum.

Incumbents Susan Lantz and Deon Senchina, as well as newcomers Jim Brown and Jim Hughes, are vying for three at-large seats in the school district. No single issue dominated the question-and-answer period, which lasted about one hour. About 15 people attended the event, which will be rebroadcast on Cedar Falls Utilities channel 15 at 4 p.m. today, 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Though the question topics varied, many answers eventually turned back to how properly to educate today's students for tomorrow's work opportunities.

"Our future jobs are not today's jobs," said Brown, who runs a sales and marketing business from his home. He believes increased technology training for teachers is essential so they can prepare students to "compete in a global economy."

Hughes, a vice president and general manager at CPM/Roskamp Champion, said part of preparing students is to connect them with educational opportunities they are passionate about. When asked about the district's ACT scores he said one of his goals is to connect with the 38 percent who don't take the test to find out what their plans are following graduation.

"If they don't want to go to college, what are we doing for them?" he asked. He said there is a great need for those who may not be interested in a four-year degree, but could excel in more technical programs, like welding. He added one of the reasons manufacturing jobs are being outsourced is because there is not a sufficient pool of applicants stateside.

The newcomers also agreed that the district needs to find additional ways to offer foreign language options outside the traditional Spanish, French and German.

Senchina, a former banker finishing her seventh term on the board, said while foreign language is important, the district also has to be careful to balance it with other subjects, especially as they prepare to implement fully the Iowa Core Curriculum while facing potentially deep budget cuts.

She said the district may want to consider alternative delivery methods, mostly using technology, to offer these opportunities to students.

Lantz, a homemaker and school volunteer finishing her fifth year on the board, said that while the class offerings might not yet be available there are 23 languages spoken by students within the district.

"Hopefully, some of that will be shared among the students," she said.

The event was sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Cedar Falls Education Association, Cedar Falls Education Support Professionals and Cedar Falls Chapter of the American Association of University Women.