Photo Gallery: La Cañada Unified School District candidates face off

Candidates, from left, Dan Jeffries, Kevork Kurdoghlian, David Sagal, Ian Mirisola, Karyn Riel, Kaitzer Puglia, Jennifer Rubendall, and Joel Peterson at a candidates forum for the La Cañada Unified School District board at La Cañada High School on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. There are 8 candidates running for three open seats. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Oct. 1, 2013 10:25 PM PT

Questions about on parcel tax rates, merit pay for teachers, and new programs were fielded by candidates for the La Cañada Unified School District board during the first forum of the election season. More than 200 people filled the auditorium at La Cañada High School Tuesday night to hear the eight candidates — incumbent Joel Peterson, Dan Jeffries, Kevork Kurdoghlian, David Sagal, Ian Mirisola, Karyn Riel, Kaitzer Puglia and Jennifer Rubendall — voice their positions on key issues.

Photo Gallery: La Canada Unified School District candidates face off in a forum

Ian Mirisola speaks at a candidates forum for the La Canada Unified School District board at La Canada High School on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. There are 8 candidates running for 3 open seats. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Karyn Riel speaks at a candidates forum for the La Canada Unified School District board at La Canada High School on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. There are 8 candidates running for 3 open seats. (Tim Berger/ Staff Photographer)

Kaitzer Puglia speaks at a candidates forum for the La Canada Unified School District board at La Canada High School on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. There are 8 candidates running for 3 open seats. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Jennifer Rubendall speaks at a candidates forum for the La Canada Unified School District board at La Canada High School on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. There are 8 candidates running for 3 open seats. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Joel Peterson speaks at a candidates forum for the La Canada Unified School District board at La Canada High School on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. There are 8 candidates running for 3 open seats. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Dan Jeffries speaks at a candidates forum for the La Canada Unified School District board at La Canada High School on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. There are 8 candidates running for 3 open seats. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Kevork Kurdoghlian speaks at a candidates forum for the La Canada Unified School District board at La Canada High School on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. There are 8 candidates running for 3 open seats. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Candidates, from left, Dan Jeffries, Kevork Kurdoghlian, David Sagal, Ian Mirisola, Karyn Riel, Kaitzer Puglia, Jennifer Rubendall, and Joel Peterson at a candidates forum for the La Canada Unified School District board at La Canada High School on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. There are 8 candidates running for 3 open seats. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)