Endorsements: Whipple, Macoch and Jandes for Fremont District 79 school board

The Fremont Elementary District 79 school board race features six candidates for three spots. Half work for other school districts, suggesting a love for education and a desire to make a difference at another level.

None of the candidates point to great shortcomings in the district, nor should they. It's in sound financial shape and performing well academically. Though all concede a district can always do better.

All agree with the scope of a three-year school capital plan.

What this election boils down to is the candidates' investment in students.

Gabriela Whipple was appointed to the board in 2014 and then elected in 2015. It's evident in talking with her that she brings great passion.

So does Aga Macoch, who is following a similar path, having been appointed two years ago when she saw a dearth of candidates for two-year seats. A mom of two kids too young to attend Fremont schools, she is a substitute teacher.

Michael Jandes has been a board member since 2013. If elected, he said, it would be his last term. The software developer is a delegate to the Illinois Association of School Boards.

All three are solid choices for the board.

Ryan Wollberg is an elementary school principal in Woodland District 50 in Gurnee. Dave Whitson is a longtime health teacher and athletic coach at Mundelein High School. Neither candidate has been attending school board meetings, however, and the third challenger, Ron Swartz, appears to have a political agenda beyond simply the scope of local schools.

Whipple, Macoch and Jandes are endorsed.