Endorsements: Poulakidas, Clark for Itasca District 10 School Board

Three candidates are seeking to fill two unexpired 2-year terms on the Itasca School District 10 board.

Incumbent Thomas Poulakidas, who was appointed to fill a vacated seat in 2016, is running alongside newcomers Tammi Edgecombe and Brett Clark.

By most measures the school district is performing well and is in a strong financial position. Full-day kindergarten has been implemented and the district is in the early stages of a one-to-one technology rollout, according to Poulakidas, who said that the district's new superintendent, Craig Benes, has made improving technology available to students a priority.

Poulakidas, a police officer who has worked in Itasca for 17 years, says he's been impressed by the makeup of the board. "It's a very respectful group," he says, "and I truly like the people on the board." His experience in school safety issues is a valuable commodity.

Edgecombe has been a substitute teacher in District 10 for the past seven years. She says that perspective is something that is needed on the board. "It's helpful knowing how classrooms run day to day," she says. It's certainly a valid point and her experience as both a parent and teacher in the district would be a valuable combination.

Clark brings plenty of experience when it comes to working with a school district. He has worked both in public relations and human resources with school districts in Illinois and Missouri. His experience working on both national and state boards would allow him to hit the ground running.

All three candidates have something unique and useful to offer a board that is seemingly running smoothly, we favor Poulakidas for his direct experience on a successful board and Clark for the type of board-level management experience he's become familiar with. They are endorsed.