Endorsements: Weidman, Roop, Alfrejd, Strack for Grayslake District 46 board

Several new faces are guaranteed to be on the Grayslake Elementary District 46 board. After some turbulent years that included a teacher strike in January, and facing a $2.2 million budget hole, four board members are not seeking re-election. Voters will choose among five newcomers: James Weidman, Steven Strack, Robert Roop Jr., Jill Alfrejd and Paul Spregner. Weidman, Strack, Roop and Alfrejd are all committed and thoughtful, and each would bring individual strengths to the board. Alfrejd is co-president of the D46 Education Foundation and has volunteered in classrooms, so she knows firsthand the needs of teachers and students. Strack says the board needs more depth in its discussions and would make communication with the public a priority. Roop would contribute his financial know-how from the business world, and Weidman wants to focus on revenue through grants and has plans to reach out to leaders both in Springfield and Washington for the benefit of education. We see this foursome as a moderate, collaborative and knowledgeable group that would help eliminate the dysfunction seen currently on the board and we endorse them for a fresh start in District 46. Spregner couldn’t be reached and did not complete our questionnaire.