Residents of Beloit heard from two of the finalists for district superintendent speak on a multitude of issues at a community forum Tuesday night.

Dr. Nita White addressed the staff shortages facing the district, saying it’s important to make new teachers feel welcome and included in order to retain staff members in the district.

Dr. Darrell Williams said implementing incentives to bring on new staff members to the district or even former teachers who had left for other reasons could help bring new employees.

Williams then spoke on helping with the mental health of students in the district, saying the district needs to invest money to address the area of mental health.

White said the district would need to be creative, and she would work with principals and social workers in the schools to make sure student’s mental health is being addressed.

Another set of community forums will be held Wednesday evening, featuring Dr. Willie Garrison and Dr. Brenda Lewis, at the Kolak Education center in Beloit.