Support incumbents in Round Lake Area District 116

Round Lake Area Unit District 116 is on the comeback trail. Taken over by the state in 2002 after it almost collapsed under $14 million in short-term loans, District 116 could be the first such district ever to earn its way back to local control after the 2009-2010 school year.

School board incumbents have worked hard with schools CEO Ben Martindale to make that happen and have built their own skills through programs offered by the Illinois Association of School Boards. They deserve to be re-elected to help District 116 face its next set of challenges.

We endorse W. Guy Finley of Round Lake, a Round Lake Area schools alumni and the board president; Ann Welk of Round Lake Park, on the board for eight years and its former president; and Tonesha Baker of Round Lake Beach, board member since 2005. Their experience will help guide the District 116 board as it begins the search for a superintendent in the coming year.

With a five-year teachers contract, the board will have few distractions from its new focus on ramping up student achievement and building stronger ties between the school district and the communities, the three incumbents said. Though the budget is balanced now, lower property values and concerns about possible cuts in state funding also will keep money issues at the forefront, they say.

Also running are Daniel Harlieb, Juan Ponce and Douglas Williams.