For Stevenson District 125: Moons, Weisberg, Neault, Agrawal

Voters in Stevenson High School District 125 have five solid candidate choices to fill four school board seats in the April 2 election.

Four incumbents - veteran board members Terry Moons and David Weisberg, and recent board appointees Amy Neault and Heena Agrawal - are seeking re-election. Political newcomer Manish "Bobby" Tuli is the lone challenger. Each spot on the ballot is for a four-year term.

The candidates demonstrate strong understanding of Stevenson's place in the community and steps needed to maintain its reputation as one of the country's most successful high schools. They offer solid ideas to address important issues District 125 faces.

We endorse Moons, Weisberg, Neault and Agrawal, who are part of the school board that has set the tone for Stevenson's academic success while being financially prudent in planning facilities, resources and offerings to meet educational and enrollment needs. For example, the roughly $27 million East Building addition project is being completed without the need for a ballot issue or property tax increase.

Moons, of Lincolnshire, who has been on the board since 1985, and Weisberg, an eight-year board veteran and retired business owner from Long Grove, are passionate about Stevenson and thoughtful board members. Moons stresses the need to revamp, repurpose and recycle classrooms to be relevant and accessible. Weisberg identifies student stress as a top concern and says the school offers plenty of counseling. Students need to ask for help and parents can play a role in reducing stress as well, he adds.

Neault and Agrawal were appointed in 2018 to replace longtime board members and bring a fresh perspective and professional experience that will provide valuable insight in future decisions. Neault, a retired college admissions counselor from Kildeer, stresses the importance of a new initiative that weaves social and emotional learning into curriculum. Agrawal, a finance and business executive from Lake Forest, says her background will be important in the continuing need for growth planning for the future.

Tuli, a health care technology executive from Vernon Hills, is a first-time candidate who stresses issues related to student emotional and social well-being. We urge him to seek other opportunities for political experience and to be involved at Stevenson.