Endorsement: Rivas, Sparber, Lawler for Kaneland Unit District 302 board

Four people are vying for three seats on the Kaneland Unit District 302 school board. The district's six schools cover 140 square miles and eight townships. Incumbents Pedro Rivas and Shana Sparber are challenged by newcomers Aaron Lawler and Noah Little.

Election rules prohibit more than three board members from any one township and two current board members already hail from Sugar Grove Township. Since Lawler and Little also live in the that township, only the top vote-getter can be seated.

This also means Rivas and Sparber, from Blackberry and Kaneville townships, respectively, retain their seats, even if they receive fewer votes than Lawler and Little.

We endorse Rivas and Sparber. Between Rivas' experience the past four years and Sparber's civic involvement with Maple Park's Citizen Advisory Committee and the Finance Advisory Committee, both are good choices. They work well together and agree on major public school issues such as curriculum, student assessment and the overall role of the board. As an accountant, Sparber brings a keen and helpful financial eye to the board, as the district works toward balancing its budget.

We like both Lawler and Little. Both have impressive backgrounds working in the public education system. Lawler is a professor at Waubonsee Community College and Little is a principal in East Aurora District 131. Both have impressive civic-involvement resumes and both bring fresh and innovative ideas to the table that could only benefit the board.

Choosing between two solid candidates is a good problem to have. Lawler's position at Waubonsee gives him a slight edge. Kaneland High School feeds directly into the college, so Lawler has the unique position to teach and observe students directly out of the district. That can only benefit the board, students and district.

While we endorse Lawler, we encourage Little to remain active in the district.