Election Day is coming up Nov. 7 with two seats up for grabs for the Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education. There are also two separate issues on the ballot for the district, one an $80 million bond issue and the other a continuation of Senate Bill 9, which is funding for repairs and maintenance of the district’s buildings.

The Observer recently sat down with the school board candidates Amanda Galbraith, incumbent and unopposed, District 2;

and Beth Miller and Ramon Montaño, District 4.

The candidates were each asked about 10 questions, touching on parental rights, their backgrounds, the new behavior and attendance policies, the state’s ranking in education and more.

In addition, RRPS representatives Michael Baker, chief operations officer, and Beth Pendergrass, chief communications, strategy and engagement officer, sat down and discussed the bond issue. They were asked about the total cost, the 10 projects slated with the bond issue, how they impact the community as a whole, what would happen if the community votes no, the impact on taxpayers and more.

Baker also discussed SB9. If approved, it would provide just under $5.5 million each year for six years for repair and maintenance projects.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Rio Rancho voting locations are Broadmoor Senior Center, Cielo Azul Elementary School, Corner Stone Community Church, Our Lady Queen of Angels, Puesta Del Sol Elementary, Rio Rancho Middle School, Community of Joy Lutheran Church, Joe Harris Elementary, St. Francis Episcopal Church, Eagle Ridge Middle School, Mountain View Middle School, MLK Elementary, Rio Rancho Elementary, Rio West Business Center and Sagebrush Plaza. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Expanded early voting and same-day registration at all polling locations are available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at all polling locations. Nov. 4 is the final day for early voting

Absentee voting is currently underway. Ballot requests must be made by Nov. 2 and must be returned by 7 p.m. Nov. 7. Ballot drop boxes are available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Sandoval County Administration Building D and Placitas Community Library. They will also be available during polling hours on Election Day.

For more information, visit the Sandoval County Clerk Bureau of Elections website.