Many good candidates for Arlington Heights Dist. 25

Voters in Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 have six solid candidates from which to choose in the April 7 election. All are thoughtful and well-versed on the district's challenges.

There are three incumbents running for the four, 4-year seats on the board. They include Denise Glasgow, 43, a Lake County school administrator; David Page, 41, a financial adviser; and Kenneth D. Nielsen, 73, an insurance benefits and financial planning consultant. Also running for the board are three challengers. They are Philip N. Crusius, 52, a software engineer; Michael King, 42, a publisher; and Steve Weseman, 42, a corporate patent lawyer.

We have heard some complaints that the incumbents are proceeding with plans approved in 2007 to air-condition all schools but we think their approach is appropriate. And we understand why some might be upset that the board was the only governing body in the community that did not significantly cut its levy request this year. However, if you're one of those voters, you don't have a clear alternative because all six candidates approve of the board's votes on those matters.

The incumbents are committed to careful spending and quality schooling and so Glasgow, Page and Nielsen are endorsed. Any of the challengers would do well, but we give a slight edge to Crusius based on his long record of civic activism.