Newcomers will bring needed change to District 204

Change is needed on the Indian Prairie Unit District 204 school board. The question voters must answer on April 7 is what direction they want that change to take and in what manner.

Thirteen candidates, including two incumbents, are vying for four, 4-year seats on a board that raised concerns when it stumbled in trying to find a site for Metea Valley High School, bungled its handling of an alleged sexual assault involving three middle school students, and as recently as last week inexplicably tried to keep secret the fact it had reached a tentative contract agreement with its teachers union.

All of those problems, and others, have lent credence to critics who complain about a perceived lack of transparency, communication and sensitivity to the community.

We endorse four newcomers - Mark Rising, Dawn DeSart, Susan Rasmus and Jerry Huang - who we believe can address many of those concerns, help the district regain its footing and work to change the culture of the board, all without necessarily blowing up the entire system and starting over.

Rising has been a regular at board meetings for several years and seems to offer a calm but clear and perhaps even passionate vision for a more responsive district.

Huang will bring a strong financial background to a board that needs it. His proposal to establish a citizens financial advisory committee is a good one, as long as such a panel is comprised of members who are able to set aside any preconceived notions about the district.

DeSart is a Waubonsie Valley High School graduate who has been active in the district and community. Says she will use her journalism background to pursue answers to tough questions and who believes it's important the board features seven independent thinkers.

Rasmus, a substitute teacher, may come off as a cheerleader for the district at first glance, but we like her intelligence and willingness to consider different points of view. She seems to realize her enthusiasm will only carry her so far - and that she might have to toughen up a bit to be a truly effective board member. We believe she can and will do it.

Incumbents Christine Vickers and Cathy Piehl both have a good grasp of the issues. Vickers has not been afraid to challenge board decisions on some occasions, but there are concerns about how effective she's been and whether as an often solitary voice she has been marginalized. Piehl appears reluctant to take a public stand on tough issues.

Other District 204 candidates are Michael Strick, Janey Wagner, Yuming Huang, Eric Hepburn, Michael Crockett, Donald Moscato and Doug DiFusco. Hepburn, Moscato, DiFusco and Jerry Huang are running as a slate. Crockett announced late this month he was effectively ending his campaign and giving his support to that slate.