Although the school board elections are over, education-related issues still weigh on parents’ minds.

For Suzanne Swift, the president of Franklin-Randall Elementary School’s parent-teacher organization, the issues are the same as they have always been, despite certain ones being used by candidates to "hang their hats on.”

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education on Sunday named two finalists for superintendent.

Following a national search, the initial paper screening by the board's search consultants, a paper screening by the board and an initial round of interviews, the board has identified the following finalists: Jennifer Cheatham, chief of instruction for Chicago Public Schools, and Walter Milton Jr., superintendent of Springfield Public Schools in Springfield, Ill.

The finalists will participate in a community forum on Thursday, Feb. 7 at 5:45 p.m. at the Monona Terrace. Community members will have the opportunity to hear from the finalists and ask questions.

In addition to the community forum, finalists will also visit schools, meet with district staff and have their final interview with the board.

If community members are unable to attend the forum, they are also invited to submit comments to board@madison.k12.wi.us.