Endorsements: Burns, Kotowski for Oakton Community College

Four candidates are seeking two six-year seats on the Oakton Community College board to replace two incumbents not seeking re-election.

The four - Martha Burns, Carmina Cortes Gonzalez, Paul Kotowski and Travis Zimmermann - would each bring different strengths and interests to the post.

They would be replacing Jody Wadhwa, who has served since 1987, and Patricia N. Harada, who served one term.

Burns, who served 12 years on the Evanston High School district board, including two as president, says she would bring that experience to Oakton. One of the issues she aims to work on is to improve communications with high school districts - especially in Evanston and other diverse districts - to make sure students know about Oakton and the educational value it can bring.

Gonzalez, of Des Plaines, also has an interest in helping the district's minority population get enrolled and involved at Oakton, especially the Hispanic population. She says sometimes those students can get lost in the system.

Kotowski, an attorney from Skokie, says his focus is maintaining a high level of educational services from the district while keeping costs under control, especially in light of reduced state funding.

And Zimmermann, of Northbrook, says his training for a doctorate in health care policy and health care ethics will help him make the tough decisions the board may face.

While Gonzalez and Zimmermann should be lauded for their interest in serving - and are encouraged to get involved in other ways with the Des Plaines-based college - they don't have the depth of knowledge they will need. Burns and Kotowski are the two best suited to move onto the board and make an immediate impact. Burns knows education issues and how a school board functions and Kotowski is very engaged in the financial issues any school board will face in the coming years. They earn our endorsement.