Transgender athletes, school safety and getting back to the trades were some of the major topics Spokane-area school board candidates addressed Thursday. less than a month away from Election Day.

The Spokesman-Review’s Northwest Passages book club hosted the school board forum at North Central High School’s Thomas Armitage Theater for Performing Arts in Spokane. Education reporter Elena Perry led the candidate discussions.

Mead School Board

Two candidates with a history of blue-collar work believe career and technical education are critical for Mead youth.

“Trades need to come back,” said Martin Kolodrub, who also said safety and security at schools will be his priorities if elected.

Kolodrub’s challenger, Tim Woodworth, said he cares deeply about career and technical education and wa

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