Over the past several years, District 88 has been through a lot of tough times, and has come through them very well. In the past four years, the District 88 school board has tackled deficit budgets, hired a new superintendent who is doing a great job, proposed a successful general fund referendum to buttress the school’s programs, and has proposed and passed a building fund referendum that will solidify the district’s future for decades to come.

This year three incumbents on the school board are seeking re-election – Duane Winter, Steven Gag and Don Deslauriers. Two challengers have joined them in the race, Eric Gramentz and Melissa Sunderman.

All five candidates impress us as being qualified, with the interests of the students and school district uppermost in their minds. But we can only elect three of the five.

In that case, we think the incumbents – Winter, Gag and Deslauriers – have proven themselves worthy to continue the work they have been doing over the past four years.

Two other candidates, appointed to fill vacancies over the last year, are running unopposed to finish out the terms they were appointed to. Voters should be confident in supporting Christie DeWanz and Denny Waloch.