Two incumbents, two challengers leading in Warren 121

Early election returns have two incumbents and two challengers leading for seats on the Warren Township High School District 121 board of education.

Incumbents John Anderson and Jim Walz, both of Gurnee, held large leads, with newcomer Paul Schulz of Gurnee with the second highest vote total, and Jonita Wilson of Beach Park in fourth place, according to unofficial totals Tuesday evening.

Victories by Schulz and Wilson would push incumbents Catherine Campbell and Liz Biondi off the board. They trailed Wilson by just 28 and 63 votes, respectively, in early counting.

How to handle declining enrollment has been among the key issues facing candidates in the race. The Gurnee-based district had 4,267 students in the 2015-16 school year, compared to 4,359 in 2014-15, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Anderson, 64, of Gurnee, said school board members and administrators, in conjunction with Warren teachers union representatives, have been preparing for the drop-off. He said as state aid declines along with enrollment, Warren will need to grapple with trimming its faculty.

Schulz said he would use his skills in budget forecasting to help the school board prepare for the likely continuation of enrollment declines and its effect on funding. He's a Gurnee resident who is vice president of finance and chief financial officer for ViskoTeepak LLC.

Biondi, 69, a retired Gurnee resident, said the district as a whole is aging. Cuts affecting classrooms and teachers should not occur before all other expenditures have been explored and reductions made, she said.

Elected with 31 write-in votes in 2013, Biondi created a furor in late 2014 when she raised concerns about hiring a gay superintendent. She later apologized.

Wilson, a Beach Park human resources professional, said Warren has strong reserves that could help if money becomes a problem.

Walz, 54, is a sales representative from Gurnee who was elected to the Warren board in 2013. Addressing the downward enrollment trend, he said the budget for employees can be reduced through attrition.

Unlike the other candidates, Campbell did not address issues in a Daily Herald questionnaire or in an editorial board endorsement interview.