Endorsements: Christophersen, Gottermeyer, Norkus, Yee for Emmons Dist. 33

Emmons Elementary School District 33 is a one-school district in the Antioch area with about 325 children. The election for four 4-year seats on the school board has drawn five candidates, all of whom like and want to maintain the small student-to-teacher ratio. Laurie Christophersen is an incumbent and grandparent who wants to maintain an individualized education for students. Bruce Gottermeyer was appointed to the board to fill a vacancy 16 months ago; he is focusing on balancing Emmons’ strong education with school finances. LeaAnn Kercheval is a parent and former District 33 paraprofessional who’d like to see the district’s technology and communication with parents improved and teachers’ raises based on their students’ test scores. Paula Norkus is a parent who believes Emmons teachers are grossly underpaid yet ultimately wants the better raises to go to the more engaged teachers. And Benny Yee is a parent and a firefighter who’d like to see Emmons teachers’ salaries pulled up to those of their Lake County peers. Christophersen, Gottermeyer, Norkus and Yee offer the best chance of the board working together professionally.