Candidates for the Akron Board of Education vied to make themselves stand out in a crowded field during a debate Wednesday, with eight candidates vying for four open seats on the board.

The candidates are Nathan R. Jarosz, Greg Harrison, Karmaya Kelly, Cynthia Blake, Phil Montgomery, Diana Autry, Carla Jackson and Gwen Bryant. Harrison, Autry and Jackson are incumbents; Jackson is the current board president and Autry is the former board president.

During the debate, Bryant highlighted herself as one of the candidates with the most experience in classrooms, noting she's an educator with 30 years of experience. She currently works as a national education consultant. Jackson similarly highlighted her experience as an educator for 20 years and as leader of the school board through challengi

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