Elect Heartland trustees with crucial skills for job

Sunday, April 15, 2007 12:21 AM CDT

Heartland Community College trustees and other officials need to do a better job of communicating with the public and seeking its input. And the district needs trustees committed to that openness.

However, voters upset with the board's decision to proceed with a $60 million campus expansion should not yield to the temptation to throw out all incumbents running in Tuesday's election.

For one thing, both challengers agree with the need for the expansion decision.

The incumbents are Harry Dunham, Larry Littell and Shiney Thomas-Jacob. Challenging them are Jason Wallace and Steve Graham. Voters will select three for 6-year terms.

The Pantagraph Editorial Board thinks the strongest candidates are incumbents Dunham and Littell and that the district would benefit by having Wallace join the board.

Dunham is completing his second, 6-year term. He retired from the Unit 5 school district after 24 years as a financial officer.

His experience with finances in general, and building projects in particular, will be helpful as the district begins the next phase of its campus.

Littell is just completing his first term on the board. A retired Bloomington teacher and foster parent, Littell has focused on keeping expenses down and maintaining the affordability and accessibility of Heartland for students who might have trouble going to school elsewhere. He voted against instituting a sports program.

Thomas-Jacob was appointed to the board in March 2006. A former director of student life at Richland Community College, she is very committed to community college education. However, she doesn't have the grasp of financial issues one would like to see after a year on the board.

Wallace is a Heartland graduate who is a senior at Illinois State University. He already has experience on the board - as a non-voting student representative while attending Heartland.

He demonstrates a good understanding of the issues, both financial and academic, and would bring a valuable perspective to the board as a former student.

Graham is in his third year as superintendent of the Pontiac grade school district.

If elected, he would be the only member of the board from Livingston County. Roger Tuttle of Pontiac, who has been on the Heartland board since its inception, is not seeking re-election.

Broad geographic representation is an asset, but a well-rounded, informed board, committed to public communication is more important.

The Pantagraph Editorial Board endorses Harry Dunham, Larry Littell and Jason Wallace.