Governor names 3 to state school board

Gov. Pat Quinn has made three appointments to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Those named to the board Monday were James Baumann of Lake Bluff, Steven Gilford of Evanston and Melinda LaBarre of Springfield.

All three have extensive experience in educational administration and policy.

In addition, Governor Quinn also named veteran State Board of Education member Joyce Karon, to the P-20 Council. P-20 stands for "preschool through graduate school," and the council is a key advisory panel that will make recommendations to Quinn about strengthening Illinois' education system. It is also expected to play an instrumental role in the state's quest to win approximately $400 million in federal "Race to the Top" discretionary funds.