Students put candidates for the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees in the hot seat Wednesday night.

The high school students didn’t ask questions about longer breaks and better lunch food. They wanted to know where the candidates stood on important issues like school closures and campus safety.

"I really started to want to help change the school system [and] help make the school better for my younger brothers and sisters... my friends, their families and for the community," senior at Reagan High School Devon Skadberg said. "[It’s] just to change the system for the better."

Students said the issue of the student-teacher relationship is one that should be better addressed by the Board of Trustees.

"Some teachers don't care as much about the students. So either give them the training that they need or swap them out with other -- better teachers," Skadberg said.

Arturo Garcia, another senior at Reagan High School echoed Skadberg.

"Something that really gets little attention is basically students needing that connection with the teachers. Not only do you need supplies in the schools, you need that personal connection between the teachers and the students," Garcia said.

Both students said they hold the potential board members to a high standard. They said they expect the school board to have the students best interest in mind.

"I think it's very important to put a face on that question. It's also very important for students to know who is representing them on the higher chain," Garcia said.

Community leaders agree students should be more active in holding the school board officials accountable.

"We just need to do more of this. Once they are elected to the school board, we need to make sure they are getting regular input from young people," Austin Voices for Education and Youth League community organizer Tim Eubanks said.

At the end of the forum, the students who came from Reagan High School, Garza High School and Lanier High School took a straw poll and voted for their favorites.

For the District 7 position, Warren Faulkner won over incumbent Robert Schneider. Tamala Barksdale won for the Trustee At-Large Position 9 seat. Glen P. Mayes II and incumbent Lori Moya tied for the District 6 position.

Election Day for these candidates is May 8.