One Dist. 25 hopeful dissents on year-round schools

Candidates for the District 25 school board race met at Thomas Middle School on Tuesday for one of the most civil candidate forums of the election season.

Most of the time candidates agreed with each other, saying "ditto" to each other's responses. For example, they all agreed the air conditioning project should move forward even in today's economic climate. They also agreed that the fewer students per classroom the better.

One of the few points of contention came on the topic of year-round schools.

There are three incumbents running for the four, 4-year seats on the board. They include Denise Glasgow, 43, a Lake County school administrator; David Page, 41, a financial adviser; and Kenneth D. Nielsen, 73, an insurance benefits and financial planning consultant. Also running for the board are three challengers. They are Philip N. Crusius, 52, a software engineer; Michael King, 42, a publisher; and Steve Weseman, 42, a corporate patent lawyer.

Only Ken Nielsen said year-round schools are a good idea. Nielsen was also the only candidate who had reservations about introducing foreign language classes to elementary school students.

"Two years ago I went to a workshop on year-round schools and talked to teachers and administrators who all thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread," Nielsen said. "It's not like there will be no breaks, there will be breaks."

All the other candidates didn't like the idea.

"Kids needs the summer to pursue other interests," King said. "I wouldn't want my 8-year-old kid to be a full-time football player and I wouldn't want him to be a full-time student at that age either."

Page said staffing year-round schools would be a problem. Glasgow said kids need to time explore interests outside of classes.

"It's not just academics that make a student whole," she said. "Summer is also time for an emotional break."

Candidates also talked about adding foreign language classes to the elementary schools. The district has held some town hall meetings on the idea this year but no decision has been made.

Only Nielsen was against the idea. He took German in high school and hardly ever uses the language today, he said.

"A child at 5 (years old) doesn't know what he is going to do later in life," Nielsen said. "It might be an exercise in futility. That class time could be better spent in math and science classes."

Crusius disagreed.

"The best time to teach a foreign language is in the early grades," he said. "But whenever something is added, something is taken away. Time is an issue."

The election is April 7.