Endorsements: Burley, LaMarca, Miller for District 300 school board
Community Unit District 300 has been busy in recent years with some significant issues. Its latest struggle over property tax revenue involves development planned for a corner at routes 59 and 72 in Hoffman Estates. Controversy over the management of the Cambridge Lakes Charter School was resolved last year, though the school's operations are still being watched. Now Superintendent Fred Heid has begun thinking out loud about creative scheduling, with ideas of lengthening elementary school days or the school year, and even the idea of an 8 a.m.-to-8 p.m. high school day.
To guide the district in such times, six candidates are running for three open seats. Kathleen Burley is seeking her second term and Anne Miller her sixth. Leslie LaMarca has served on the charter school's governing board. David Scarpino is a retired District 300 associate superintendent. Nicole Beyer is a graduate of the district and now an assistant bowling team coach at Jacobs High School. And Mary McNicholas is a Class of 2014 graduate of Dundee-Crown High School who served on advisory committees while a student.
Miller has been a part of the team shepherding the district through the issues of recent years and helping the district expand benefits to students. She has good perspective as the district tackles scheduling ideas and new development in the area.
Burley volunteered for years before becoming a board member. She touts career and technical development for students and is eager to discuss flexible scheduling ideas.
LaMarca's experience with Cambridge Lakes is invaluable as the idea of school choice, and even vouchers, is discussed. LaMarca is interested in studying the district further and getting community input in what can be improved.
Scarpino's years of experience as a top administrator indeed can be valuable. He would have a good idea of the processes, costs and obstacles of implementing ideas.
The recent graduates Beyer and McNicholas are impressive with their passion for District 300. Beyer proposes a four-day school week as a possible way to curb costs. McNicholas is open to the ideas of lengthening school days. Both want to make sure students of all backgrounds are given equal opportunities to succeed. We hope both continue to be involved and gain more experience. But, Burley, LaMarca and Miller get our endorsement as the best mix of experience and vision in a district with so many exciting ideas on its plate.