Take time on superintendent search

THUMBS UP: The District 88 School Board, on the recommendation of its superintendent search consultant, decided to extend the search for a new superintendent until the end of February. The number of qualified candidates is lower than the consultant, former superintendent Harold Remme, would like to present to the board.

This is a sound decision. There is no more crucial hire in a school district than the superintendent. We have been fortunate in the past couple of administrations with two high quality leaders, Remme and his successor, Jeff Bertrang. The school board should have as many top quality candidates as they can find. It’s better to do it right than to do it fast.

More than books

THUMBS UP: We’re glad to see the report that Brown County library directors gave to the Brown County Board this week, that the public usage of our local libraries is up. Libraries provide a wide variety of services in addition to all the books one can possibly read, available for all who have a library card. They provide musical recordings, DVDs of films, educational programs for young and old, and especially useful in this Internet age, access to computers and the internet for the public.

With all they provide, we’re surprised libraries aren’t packed every day.

Go Eagles

THUMBS DOWN: Those who lived through the Minnesota Vikings’ 1970 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV will understand our support for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs, representing the upstart American Football League, was the underdog, but they trounced Minnesota 23-7 in the last Super Bowl before the NFL and AFL merged. The worst part of the game was that KC coach Hank Stram wore a mike for NFL films, and his cackling and chortling laughs and comments were salt in the proverbial wounds. Minnesota, of course went to three more Super Bowls, losing them all. Kansas City has won two and is looking for its third Super Bowl trophy this Sunday.

All we can say is, Go Eagles!