Endorsements: Lee, Foersterling, Hartwig and Heneghan for Maine Township District 207

Change is coming to the Maine Township High School District 207 Board of Education. Four seats on the panel are at stake in the April 1 election and just one sitting member is seeking another term.

The good news is that the four newcomers joining three-term incumbent Jin Lee on the ballot all possess the qualities one hopes to find in a school board member: a passion for public education, experience with schools and a genuine interest in serving their community. They include: Kelly Foersterling of Morton Grove; Maureen Hartwig and Rebecca Heneghan of Park Ridge; and Dana Jaime of Des Plaines.

First we endorse Lee. While new faces and fresh ideas are important to the success of any elected body, so too is experience and institutional knowledge. Having served on the board for 12 years — a period that's seen the district pass a $195 million referendum on its first try, earn national recognition for its innovation and consistently beat state averages in measures of academic success — the Des Plaines resident has plenty of both.

We appreciate Lee's student-focused approach, and his commitment to offering a diverse student body a broad range of opportunities. We also believe Lee would serve as a capable mentor to the panel's new members.

Foersterling also earns our nod. She's about as prepared for the role as any newcomer can be, having previously served as treasurer of the Maine Township High School Foundation, the Yes 207 Referendum committee and the Maine East Athletic Boosters. Also a member of the Superintendent’s Community Advisory Council, Foersterling is well-versed in the district's strengths and needs, has proven her commitment to public education and has a financial background that ought to be an asset to the board.

We also endorse Hartwig. A former Park Ridge alderperson, parent-teacher organization president and current member of the Superintendent’s Community Advisory Council, she has experience both in pubic service and education. We also agree with her suggestion that the district establish clear metrics to continuously evaluate its programs and initiatives and ensure they are benefiting students.

Finally, we endorse Heneghan. A former PTO president and member of the District 207 Community Advisory Board, she cites student safety as a priority and advocates for a more robust slate of summer school offerings for students interested in taking elective courses they cannot fit into their busy schedules during the regular academic year.

Jaime is an impressive candidate who we believe matches fellow newcomers’ support for public education and dedication to student success, but falls behind in experience.

We endorse Lee, Foersterling, Hartwig and Heneghan.