JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Dozens of Duval County Public Schools District 3 neighbors showed up to hear from both school board candidates: incumbent Cindy Pearson and her opponent, Rebecca Nathanson. But they only heard from one.
For close to two hours, Pearson answered questions on topics like school choice and potential school closures.
"We want to do it in a way that is thoughtful to the community," Pearson said about the school closures.
She answered the questions next to an empty chair and mic. Nathanson was absent from Tuesday's forum.
"It was very disappointing," DCPS parent, Brittany Beimourtrusting, said.
Beimourtrusting is casting her vote for Pearson, but said it was important to hear from both sides.
“As much as I’m nervous about the reasons behind her [Nathanson] running and don’t think that she’s in it for the right reasons, I still care about what she’s going to say. I mean, if she gets the position... I want to know what is she here for," she said.
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF) hosted the event and says Nathanson canceled Monday due to another engagement.
The education fund said Nathanson confirmed she would attend last week and said she filled out answers to several questions.
JPEF said Nathanson supporters registered for the event but did not know if any attended Tuesday night's forum.
First Coast News reached out to Nathanson’s campaign but has not heard back at this time.
“I made it a priority to be here, I really don’t know. Kind of the theme of the campaign is I’m going to work on the things I can control. What I can control is I came, and I answered the questions that were asked," Pearson said.
The district 3 race will be decided during the primary election Aug. 20.
JPEF will be hosting additional forums for districts one, five and seven.
- District 1 – Thursday, July 25 @ 6 p.m. (The Citadel Church)
- District 5 – Tuesday, July 30 @ 6 p.m. (Edward Waters University – Milne Auditorium)
- District 7 – Thursday, August 1 @ 6 p.m. (The Hopewell Church)