The October 27 sheriff’s candidate forum sponsored by the Sardis Chamber of Commerce and The Panolian has sparked the interest of school leaders in the North Panola and South Panola School Districts, Chamber spokesman Dale Hart said.

The three candidates for Panola County Sheriff — Dennis Darby, Otis Griffin and Mark Whitten — will be asked questions prepared by students from the two high schools.

Candidates will be provided a copy of the questions prior to the forum.

“Both schools are very interested in including their students,” Hart said.

The forum will begin at 7 p.m. at the Panola County Courthouse in Sardis.

“We appreciate the work by the Sardis Chamber to organize and coordinate this opportunity for interested voters to hear all three candidate at one occasion,” The Panolian publisher John Howell said. “Seeking questions from high school students adds a special dimension of interest for all of us.”