Endorsements: Fiorentino, Garcia, Stevens and LaMarca for District 300 board

Incumbents Steve Fiorentino, Kym Garcia and Joe Stevens are joined by Leslie LaMarca and Nancy Zettler in the race for four open seats on the Algonquin-based School District 300 board of education.

Fiorentino, who serves as board secretary, has been active during his two terms. His work in financial planning has been instrumental in what he brings to the finance committee. During his time as a board member, Fiorentino created and chaired a legislative and government affairs committee and led a community engagement committee.

Garcia is a paralegal and single parent of three children in district schools. As she finishes her first term, Garcia said the early part of her service was spent learning to be a board member. She pushed for all-day kindergarten and worked on legislative projects to champion the district's causes. She hopes to highlight the programs that offer students an alternative to the traditional four-year college path.

Board Vice President Stevens has been serving since 2006. In that time, the district's financial situation went from being in debt to having funds in reserve. Stevens is chairman of the finance committee and has experience in dealing with school finances.

LaMarca is president of the D300 Food Pantry and was a director on the Northern Kane Educational Board, overseeing a charter school. She has children in the district and says she is concerned with the schools adjusting to an increase in the student population.

Zettler said her work as a substitute teacher in District 300 gives her a unique perspective that would benefit her as a board member. That's true enough, but we see an inherent conflict of interest for a board member who works for the district she oversees.

District 300 is experiencing enrollment growth as neighboring districts are leveling off. Each student has computer access and officials are looking at ways to expand electronic learning. Fiorentino, Garcia and Stevens should be re-elected to keep the district moving in the right direction. LaMarca has strong education experience to merge well with the other board members.

We endorse Fiorentino, Garcia, Stevens and LaMarca for the School District 300 board of education.