Endorsements: Malloy, Howard and Manno for College of DuPage board

There are many choices for whom to lead the College of DuPage for the next six years - eight of them - for three seats.

The college in recent years has regained its footing after the debacle over the outlandish spending by then-President Robert Breuder and his 2015 firing. Breuder's lawsuit against those who fired him is still alive, though largely dormant.

Incumbents Charles Bernstein and Frank Napolitano, both of whom are named in Breuder's suit, are not seeking reelection this year.

The question of whether to continue to defend against Breuder's lawsuit or to settle with him is an issue in the race, however.

Heidi Holan, 56, of Glen Ellyn, is the lone incumbent in the field, having been appointed in 2019 when Deanne Mazzochi left the board after being elected to the statehouse.

Since then, Holan has been hired as Mazzochi's chief of staff.

Mazzochi remains one of the targets of Breuder's lawsuit.

Holan would not tell us whether she would recuse herself from discussion or a vote on whether to settle the lawsuit, but assured us "My work relationship is not involved in decisions I make in my board position."

Her conflict of interest is clear.

Candidates Nick Howard, 56, a software company CEO from Glen Ellyn; Flo Appel, 71, a retired college instructor from Lombard: and Don Potoczny, 54, a Chicago high school administrator, are running as a slate, supported by DuPage Democrats.

Holan, Andrew Manno, 30, of Aurora, and Deborah Sajdak of Glen Ellyn have been endorsed by conservative firebrand Jeanne Ives.

We're impressed by real estate agent Daniel Malloy, 33, who hails from LaGrange in the Cook County portion of the district and also attended COD. He appreciates what COD has given him, and he appreciates education in general, having grown up in a family of teachers.

Another issue in the race is what to do about declining enrollment - notably with Latinx and Black students.

In response to that, Potoczny said "more isn't necessarily better. ... Declining enrollment doesn't have to be an obsession. I'm more concerned with making sure everybody's experience and learning outcomes are as good as they can be."

That seems tone deaf for a candidate we generally like.

Howard, a former COD adjunct faculty member, is smart and very knowledgeable about the district.

Manno is an attorney who advocates for accountability and transparency.

Also running is Sheng "Texa" Sun, 52, a social entrepreneur from Lisle.

Malloy, Howard and Manno are endorsed.