2009 Landmark Endorsements
As Riverside-Brookfield faces its future, the school board faces a couple of serious challenges – its finances and its leadership.
No matter what happens, it’s going to be a tricky few years financially for the district, which is already facing a half million dollars in cuts to its 2009-10 budget. Talk of a tax referendum is likely to draw opposition given the times, so the next board will have its hands full.
On top of that issue is the future of Superintendent Jack Baldermann, whose contract is set to expire in 2010. The board has painted itself into a corner on this issue; either they have a consensus to rehire Baldermann or they need to begin looking for a replacement. Either way, the issue needs to be resolved.
Most importantly, the board needs to lead.
That’s why we’re endorsing MATT SINDE, MIKE WELCH and incumbent LAURA HRUSKA for election to the District 208 board.
When we endorsed Hruska four years ago, we did so because we thought she would be an independent voice on the board, unafraid to go against the grain on issues. She hasn’t disappointed us in that regard.
She been consistent in demanding that the district get its money’s worth from teachers and administrators and we believe will continue to make that same demand in the next four years.
Sinde is a no-nonsense candidate who has for many years led the Brookfield Zoning Board of Appeals. He also was chairman of the Brookfield 2020 Master Plan committee and was school board president at St. Louise de Marillac in LaGrange Park.
Sinde understands what it means to be a school board member and, we believe, can help the board re-establish a more arms-length relationship with the administration. The board and administration must, of course, work together to achieve educational excellence, but the board must also hold administrators accountable and provide clear direction.
Likewise, Welch, an IRS revenue agent, brings a depth of financial understanding that will be beneficial for a board that will be wrestling with those very issues in the next four years. He is a soft-spoken problem solver who we believe can work with all board members to establish policies, both educational and financial, that will help RB thrive in the future.
Like Riverside District 96, RBHS has an ability to attract quality candidates for office, and Karen Bensfield, Eric Duve and Dan Moon all want the best for the district and community.
The District 208 board needs a change in direction and we feel our picks can provide that.