Endorsements: Killackey, Simoncelli for Fremont Dist. 79 school board

Five candidates are running for a four-year seat on the Fremont District 79 school board. Only two chose to meet with the Daily Herald or offer information about their candidacies through our questionnaires. Both, however, are candidates we can support.

While Shawn Killackey has never served on this board, he has experience on others, and Maria Simoncelli was appointed in January to fill a vacancy. We like Killackey's background and his willingness to work with the current board to get things done. His enthusiasm for the district and getting involved for the students' benefit is infectious and we admire that. Simoncelli is a parent of two children in the district, and it's clear she has the students' best interests at heart. She also is involved in the Round Lake community, serving on the police pension board and on several area chamber boards. Her commitment to civic duty is evident.

Both candidates bring fresh ideas to the table, such as Killackey's desire to offer more art programs to students. Simoncelli is interested in the district's grading system and what can be done to alleviate students' negative feelings when they don't perform as well as others.

The other candidates, all incumbents, are Jason Bonds, Michael Jandes and Mark Anthony Ponce. Without more detailed familiarity with their goals or their backgrounds, we can't make a reasonable judgment about which, if any, of them deserve another term. However, we can confidently encourage voters to support Killackey and Simoncelli, and they get our endorsement.