Battle, Ruffolo, Antoine lead District 220

Voters knew Tuesday's election would yield at least two new faces on the Barrington Unit District 220 board. But which two remained an open question even Wednesday.

Newcomer Joseph Ruffolo and incumbent Brian Battle secured four-year seats, according to unofficial election results. Battle had 2,741 votes. Ruffolo had 2,612.

But with all precincts reporting, Tom Antoine had a mere two-vote lead in the race for the third spot with 2,392 votes. Richard Burkhart had 2,390.

And while Antoine is ahead, all totals are unofficial at this point until absentee ballots are counted — leaving the door open for Burkhart. In addition, the two ran on a slate with write-in candidate James Mayer whose votes have not been included in tallies thus far.

Battle said while it is bittersweet to see two friends leave the board, he is excited for new opportunities.

“We knew there was going to be a different board with a new dynamic,” he said. “I think they'll lend different perspectives that will be valuable to our dialogue.”

Like many of the area school board contests, the District 220 candidates squabbled most over budget fixes.

Battle, a board member since 2003, said he supports turning to administrators to identify cuts that least affect educational programs an approach taken this school year as District 220 made the controversial decision to eliminate $2 million and several staff positions from next year's budget.

Ruffolo, a physics teacher in Leyden Township High School District 212, agreed the district should live within its means and not turn to deficit spending.

But he'd rather reduce educators from staff than make the future teachers contract unattractive to the point District 220 becomes a revolving door of talent.