MOSES LAKE - Either way the votes swing, both candidates running for Moses Lake School District Board director each bring enthusiasm and compassion for education.

Anthony Mejia and Oscar Ochoa are vying for the Director 2 position with the school board, echoing the importance of education and realizing the challenges the school district is currently facing. The two shared their views at the Moses Lake Candidate Forum Monday night.

Current boardmember Lew Mason is not running for re-election.

The two candidates were allotted three minutes for an opening statement before fielding questions from the panel and audience.

Mejia, who has served as a litigation specialist for the past six years, graduated from Moses Lake High School and currently has two children attending Moses Lake schools.

Ochoa, a social worker and youth leader in the community, has lived in Moses Lake for the past 22 years, attending Moses Lake schools before moving to Louisiana before high school. He returned to Moses Lake after graduating from college.

For both candidates, it was family members who instilled the importance of education.

For Ochoa, it was his father, a migrant farmer who brought his family to the area from Mexico. For Mejia, it was his mother, who gave him a little pink book when he was in kindergarten. The book, which he brought with him, was the school handbook from the 1981-82 school year.

"My mother instilled in me an understanding that education is more than just academics," Mejia said. "A proper education involves fidelity, respect, integrity, disinterested service. That's what I think is the most important motivator for me to want to be on the school board."

Mejia added as a litigation specialist, he has worked with multiple municipalities across the state, many of which are school districts.

"I have a very intimate knowledge of the many challenges that school districts confront, especially school districts' school boards. I think I bring a lot to the table."

Mejia said he didn't jump at the opportunity to run when he was first approached, but after speaking with past board members, co-workers and other school district members, he said he knew he could make a difference.

Ochoa, who said he has served on many advisor volunteer boards, is looking forward to influencing children and educators in a "deeper and more meaningful way."

"We are a school district that cares for kids," he said. "What I bring to the table for this school board: I bring a lot of community mentorship and coaching to many kids. I've been doing volunteer work for 22 years here in Moses Lake. As a youth leader, I have seen many kids change and grow and develop into young men and young women that have benefited this community. I want to do this to be able to help young people because I love working with young people. I want to make a difference."

Both candidates were asked if they would support a school bond in 2014 as the school district is facing challenges with growth in student numbers.

"Every decision that I would make would have the children's best interests in mind," Mejia said. "With that said, yes, a bond is necessary, but what that bond is needed for, I'm not sure."

Ochoa said he would hope the community would embrace a bond but is unsure if that would be the only answer to address growth.

"It's a good problem. With that growth, we need space," Ochoa said. "I applaud the efforts of what the board and what the community has done to try to remedy some of the growth challenges that we are currently having right now. I would hope that a bond would help to remedy some of that growth."