Endorsements: Hewell, Manheim, Yarusso for St. Charles Unit Dist. 303 board

With the planned retirement of its superintendent amid an environment of increasing costs and decreasing enrollment, the St. Charles Unit District 303 school board will have its hands full over the next few years. Nine candidates want to be part of that process, including all three incumbents, two previous board members and four newcomers. Incumbents Kathy Hewell and Nick Manheim are strong candidates to return to their seats, bringing direct experience with all district issues as well as a collaborative working style, a clear commitment to students and a keen awareness of the qualities needed in the next superintendent. Newcomer Lowell Yarusso offers an intriguing combination of business leadership, education experience and critical thinking. The entire field is strong. Both former board members Lori Linkimer and Mike Vyzral combine experience with a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to issues, and remaining candidates incumbent Judith McConnell, Jennifer Ann Reeder and Rick Leidig, all have individual strengths as well, but we favor Hewell, Manheim, and Yarusso. Candidate Stephen Bruesewitz did not participate in the endorsement process.