For Grayslake Dist. 46: Smigielski, Norris, Evans

Daily Herald Editorial Board

Missteps and curious decisions have made for a rocky couple of years in Grayslake Elementary District 46.

The list includes spending thousands to send several teachers and administrators to conventions to collect a dubious award, using federal stimulus money to pay bonuses to educators and hiring a finance director who failed to disclose he was on administrative leave for an unknown reason.

The school board has failed to ask enough questions and demand better judgment from its administration and is ultimately responsible. A change is needed.

Newcomers Shannon Smigielski, Marchell Norris and Kip Evans are endorsed for the three four-year terms available. They pledge to improve transparency and communication, and align decision making with community and student needs.

This week, Norris was implicated in the censure of board member Michael Carbone for allegedly using subterfuge to try to obtain a password to access a substitute teacher list. Norris has emphatically denied participating in an act that would represent monumentally poor judgment, and the board has produced no hard evidence to back up the allegations. That said, we believe her voice is needed on the school board.

Incumbents Mary Garcia and Susan Facklam are passionate about District 46 and have led a board that has many positive accomplishments. However, tough times demand stronger stewardship than is being delivered.