In District 207: Sullivan, Braam, Pellar-Ryden

Daily Herald Editorial Board

Voters in Maine Township High School District 207 are fortunate to have an abundance of good candidates to choose from. All are enthusiastic for the schools, the teaching staff and the students. There are too many good candidates, in fact, since only three seats are open. Sean O. Sullivan, the current board president, Donna Pellar-Ryden and Joann Braam are running for re-election. Teachers who are upset over last year’s cuts (more than 130 employees, including 75 teachers, were eliminated) will disagree the board acted wisely when the district has a relatively healthy fund balance on hand. But the board was looking toward the district’s long-term financial health, knowing that the overall wealth of the district is declining, and we do not fault them for the decision. However, we advocate a serious discussion about eliminating administrative bonuses — or at least making them harder to achieve. The incumbents are endorsed. Marijo Bustos, a former board member who lost a re-election bid in 2009, also would be a good steward of the district’s finances. She was the lone board vote against the last teacher’s contract, objecting it was a bit too rich. Eric M. Poders of Morton Grove also is running.