For Glenview Elementary District 34: Baumstark, Jones, Stefani

A year ago, voters in Glenview Elementary District 34 overwhelmingly approved a $119 million referendum to allow the school district to repair, replace and update its buildings. It was a sure sign that district residents were happy with the school board and how it was operating.

Now voters are being asked to extend that support again as three incumbents are on the ballot for another four-year term. Even the lone challenger believes the board has done a good job - he just wants to provide that same kind of leadership himself. We, however, believe the incumbents - Jim Baumstark, Katie Jones and Diane Stefani - deserve reelection and are endorsed.

It should be noted that the board, while working collegially, does not always agree. Much like in other districts, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to differences of opinion in terms of what kind of learning the district was able to provide. Jones, 39, a former teacher and mother of a current kindergartner, believes the district could have moved faster to get the younger grades back to in-person learning. Because of that, she was the lone vote against the remote learning solution proposed in August.

Jones, however, said her concerns were heard. She and the others agree that differences can be raised on the board and that different perspectives are respected. "I never felt I was standing on an island," she said in a joint endorsement interview.

Baumstark, 51, the current board vice president, is an administrator and teacher at a private high school in Deerfield. Stefani, 50, is an attorney. They both are seeking their second term, as is Jones. Challenging them is James Dolan, 40, a management consultant. We urge Dolan to stay involved with the district. But in this year's election the incumbents have earned another four years.