Endorsements: Bansal, Chakka, Piehl, White for District 204 school board

Seven strong candidates are running for four 4-year terms on the board of education in Indian Prairie Unit District 204, and we find them all qualified. Our endorsements go to solid incumbents Cathy Piehl and Benjamin White and outstanding fresh voices Krishna Bansal and Vasavi Chakka. District 204 operates some of the finest schools in the suburbs, and Piehl and White have performed ably as stewards of both students and taxpayers. Bansal, a technologies entrepreneur, impresses us with his commitment to fiscal responsibility and his ability to articulate the school district’s obligation to prepare today’s youth for the global marketplace. Chakka exudes both energy and passion for the schools and the community, with a lengthy resume of civic involvement including the past presidency of the Parent Teacher Student Association at Neuqua Valley High School. Three other formidable candidates join these four on the ballot — Maria Curry, Sotiria Kapsis and Michael Raczak. Good candidates, but not quite as strong as Bansal, Chakka, Piehl and White. Another candidate, Jazmin Santillan, withdrew recently. Meanwhile, attorney Justin Karubas is running unopposed for one 2-year term on the school board.