Five candidates have applied for a vacancy on the West Ada School District Board of Trustees. Zone 2 trustee Lucas Baclayon recently resigned.

The board will interview all five candidates at a special meeting at 6:45 p.m. on Monday at the West Ada District Service Center in Meridian, and then appoint their preferred candidate.

In addition to filling the vacancy, voters in two West Ada zones next month will elect trustees. In Zone 1, Board Chair Lori Frasure is running against social worker Dara Ezzell-Pebworth. In Zone 3, incumbent Angie Redford will face teacher Meghan Brown. Click here to find the zone you live in.

West Ada made national headlines this year when district officials told teacher Sarah Inama to remove an “Everyone is Welcome Here” poster that featured multiracial hands.

Here’s who applied for the Zone 2 vacancy:

Kelsey Calhoon

Calhoon works at Washington Federal Bank and is a mother of seven. She has an associates degree in business management from Treasure Valley Community College and previously worked as a real estate appraiser.

“I’m a loving mother, a dedicated wife, a dedicated Christian, a dependable employee, and a helpful community member who believes in speaking for those who can’t/won’t,” Calhoon wrote in her candidate profile.

If appointed, Calhoon would like to address bullying in the school district, listen to parents and make sure teachers feel protected and heard.

She would like to make sure teachers are keeping their personal opinions out of the classrooms.

“I don’t mean this in a negative way, but I have seen personally more teachers in the last 2 years address their political preferences in the classroom,” Calhoon wrote. “Some I agree, some I haven’t, but in both cases I don’t believe its something a Art teacher, or Math teacher should be expressing to our impressionable children. I believe in keeping our schools education focused.”

Christopher Darr

Darr has 15 years of experience working at the Winco Foods distribution center and is a journeyman electrician. He has four kids and volunteers with the YMCA, Idaho Humane Society, Girl Scouts and in West Ada schools.

“I want to bring a balanced, working class perspective to the board, ensuring that every student — whether bound for college, trades, or the workforce — has the opportunities and support they need to succeed,” Darr wrote in his candidate profile.

His top three priorities are ensuring student success, supporting inclusive schools and promoting fiscal responsibility.

If appointed, he would like to rebuild trust with parents through clear and transparent communication. With a background in construction and logistics, Darr would like to expand career and technical education programs.

“I know how valuable it is for students to leave school with multiple options: college, trades, or the workforce,” he wrote. “I would encourage the district to grow partnerships with local industries and training programs so every student has a clear path forward.”

Hattie James

James is a digital content editor for VELOX media and previously worked as a records specialist for the city of Boise. She is a former educator and has a master’s degree in business administration from Northwest Nazarene University. She has a niece and nephew in West Ada schools.

“Young people are society’s greatest assets, and educating them is the duty of that society,” James wrote in her profile. “I feel it’s not only my duty to be a part of shaping education in West Ada but would be a privilege.”

Her top three priorities are improving the bus system, addressing classroom size and increasing funding for special education.

“As more multi-family homes and large residential developments are built in Meridian and the rest of Ada County, classroom size should always be a priority for the West Ada School Board of Trustees,” she wrote.

If appointed, she would like the board to review the contract with transportation company Durham School Services and audit bus driver training.

“The best leaders adapt while putting the interests and needs of others before their own,” she wrote.

Evelyn McCullough

McCullough is a substitute teacher for West Ada, focusing on special education at Mountain View High School, and works as a fundraising coordinator for Boise Timbers Thorns soccer club. She studied business at Boise State University.

She has a natural ability to be a unifier, she wrote, and values diverse perspectives.

“I have firsthand classroom experience and a clear understanding of both the opportunities and challenges that students, teachers, and schools face on a daily basis,” McCullough wrote in her profile.

Her top priorities are strengthening special education, rebuilding trust with parents and improving teacher retention. In addition to working in special education, she has a family member with special needs.

“This combination of personal and professional experience has shaped my commitment to ensuring that students with special needs receive the resources, individualized support, and opportunities they deserve,” she wrote.

She believes transparency and communication builds trust, she wrote. She is happy to meet with anyone in whatever capacity they need.

Susie Schuetz

Schuetz is a grants and contracts officer for the Idaho Department of Corrections. She previously worked for the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and has 24 years of experience with NCR Corporation. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Boise State University.

If appointed, she would prioritize gaining a better understanding of the processes used to review policies, understand all the intricacies of the budget and engage with the community.

“It seems the Board might have lost a bit of favor with the public,” she wrote in her profile. “Really hearing and understanding the community is a critical piece that cannot be postponed.”

As the largest school district in Idaho, she said West Ada has a significant opportunity to shape the education landscape in Idaho.

“I would love to see all the school districts working together to figure out what each one needs, designing best practices, and working with the Idaho Legislature to ensure each district has what they need,” Schuetz wrote.