Endorsements: Altshuler, Lazzari and Clopton for Barrington Dist. 220 school board

This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

Business of the Barrington Community Unit School District Board of Education has been rattled at times in the past year by some of the culture-wars issues that have arisen elsewhere in the region and across the nation over sex education and books available in the school library.

The board has made efforts to listen to concerns about curriculum and materials, yet deep resentments simmer. These concerns remain an undercurrent in the campaign to fill three open school board seats, though fortunately, even most board critics in the campaign offer thoughtful positions on a broad range of topics that any school board member will face.

While all the candidates have merit, we find three individuals especially appealing - incumbents Barry Altshuler and Leah Collister Lazzari and newcomer Diana L. Clopton.

Altshuler, a pediatrician from North Barrington, is seeking his second term. He is an active board member who brings particular insight on issues like the district's strategic plan and ongoing construction. He's an ardent advocate for a rigorous curriculum that has value for every student.

Much the same can be said for Leah Collister Lazzari, an attorney and real estate professional from Barrington Hills who also is seeking a second term. Like Altshuler - and all the candidates, really - she emphasizes the importance of listening to all voices in the community about issues, though she recognizes that sometimes that requires making tough decisions that will be unpopular with residents passionate about a specific issue.

Indeed, it must be said that the interest Altshuler and Lazzari show in continuing their service in spite of a period of harsh criticism from a section of the community focused on isolated curriculum and materials issues demonstrates a level of commitment and independence that any board needs and voters should appreciate.

Clopton, a marketing executive from North Barrington, is a newcomer to the race with an appealing desire to be a "bridge builder" in the district and well-articulated ideas about its strengths, its financial outlook and a board member's role.

Katey Baldassano, of Barrington, has an intriguing background as a West Chicago Elmentary School District 33 administrator that could give her special insights into operations of the board. Leonard Munson, a marketing director from Barrington, fears that pandemic-era slides portend longer-term declines in the district's academic stature, a view shared by newcomer Matt Sheriff, a sales executive from Port Barrington who is part of a slate with Baldassano and Munson supported by a local political action committee called Action PAC. Nelda Munoz, a telecommunications project manager from Barrington, has been an outspoken critic of the board and the district's policies on sex education and sexually oriented materials in school libraries.

All the candidates appear sincere and devoted to fiscal responsibility and high academic standards. Our conclusion of the combination best prepared to serve all students is Altshuler, Lazzari and Clopton. They are endorsed.