Sonnefeldt leads votes in Dist. 57 race

With all precincts reporting, a self-employed musician is taking the lead in the Mount Prospect Elementary District 57 board race tonight.

Music Teacher Joe Sonnefeldt has 1,163 votes. He surpasses incumbent Joseph Leane, the current school board president, who has 872 votes.

“The first thing we need to do is reach out to the community, especially the parents, to engage them in the decision-making process,” said Sonnefeldt. “The first thing we have to do is improve the communication between the administration, the board and the community.”

Challenger Denny Composto, an attorney, has 935 votes. And Nick Papanicholas Jr., a general contractor and construction manager of Nicholas and Associates in Mount Prospect, has 722.

The four candidates are running for three seats. Vote totals are unofficial.

The new school board will need to tackle serious financial issues. District 57 dipped into its reserves to cover a $1.5 million budget deficit this school year. Next year’s financial projections look worse, according to district officials.

A few weeks ago, the school board approved the layoff of 24 elementary school teachers, cut some field trips and increased fees to reduce expenses. Those laid off were nontenured teachers who have been with the district less than four years,

All the candidates supported the board’s decision to outsource bus service, because it saves money. Still, Sonnefeldt and Papanicholas said the decision was hastily made after a bus driver was found to be operating her bus while intoxicated.

ŸDaily Herald Staff Writer Sheila Ahern contributed to this report.